A day of heavy showers. During a clear interval a Blackcap sang in a horse chestnut beside the Long Water.
The ubiquitous Rose-Ringed Parakeets are very fond of dandelion leaves, and when you see them on the ground that's almost always what they're eating.
One of the young Grey Herons was in the nest ...
... and the other down on the island. They are looking more like birds now and less like prehistoric monsters. I haven't seen any interaction with their parents, who were also on the island, and I think they're feeding themselves now.
The affectionate Herring Gull pair on the south shore of the Serpentine, who are almost always seen together, preened side by side.
The pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gull was also with his mate at the Dell restaurant. Unlike the Herring Gulls, they only stay close to each other during the breeding season.
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The dominant female Mute Swan was sitting on the nesting island with only a Cormorant for company. When she stood up I couldn't see any eggs.
A pair of swans browsed in the daffodils beside the Serpentine. The flowers are a bit wilted by now but it still makes a picturesque scene.
Another swan had an enthusiastic wash ...
... and so did a Greylag Goose.
It looks as if a pair of Canadas have decided to nest on the derelict raft on the Long Water. This happens every year, and the goslings can't get over the plastic screens and have to be rescued.
A pair of Egyptians claimed a dead tree. The conspicuous trees they choose for their displays are not the ones they actually nest in.
The lone Mandarin drake was on the Serpentine.
Joan Chatterley was at Rye Meads, where she got good pictures of a Garganey ...
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... a Little Ringed Plover ...
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... and a Mediterranean Gull. Unlike the so-called Black-Headed Gull it's standing next to, it really does have a black head.
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On the island : A lush nest of nettles?
ReplyDeleteBirds are protected by their feathers from nettle stings. The swans will demolish all plants on their island when they are nesting seriously.
DeleteCurious how in large gulls, males grow larger, whereas the reverse applies in most birds of prey with sexual dimorphism. Jim
ReplyDeleteRaptors and owls are the exceptions, I think the only exceptions. In other birds males are larger. The reason is beyond my feeble understanding.
DeleteI've read it's because females are in charge of defending the nest on their own and thus need to be heavier and larger. But who knows the real reason.
DeleteIt's funny how Pigeon Killer and his mate will be apart for a time and then unerringly find each other year after year.
Tinúviel
Migratory gulls such as Black-Headed return to exactly the same spot year after year, often perching on the very same post. But I wonder where Mrs Pigeon Eater goes when she isn't with him. You'd think the free pigeons would keep her in place, but no.
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