Hyde Park was a scene of chaos, with large crowds undeterred by the constant rain assembled to watch the coronation on three giant screens around the Serpentine. Kensington Gardens was unaffected apart from the noise drifting over.
A Blackbird at the Albert Memorial was pleased by the rain and hauled up a worm.
Swifts have arrived on the Round Pond.
There were also some over the Serpentine, and a few House Martins though I didn't get a picture of one. I looked at the Kuwaiti Embassy where they nest, but they hadn't started visiting. There will be plenty of mud for them to repair their nests from last year.
A Grey Wagtail called loudly from the plastic buoys around the Lido swimming area, having to raise its voice to be heard over the noise. It was probably calling to its mate -- the pair are nesting on the island on the other side of the lake.
One of the two young Grey Herons perched on the dead willow by the Italian Garden.
One of last year's offspring of the same parents was fishing in the Dell stream.
The Coot at the bridge sat on her eggs with the noise of a military band in the background.
The Mallards at the Lido still have six ducklings.
The Greylag Geese who had eleven goslings have been badly hit by the Herring Gulls and are now down to four. They have joined forces with the other pair who are still hanging on to their three.
This video was shot right up against a bank of loudspeakers still relaying the BBC babbling inanely long after the ceremonies had ended. I have turned the sound down.
The Egyptian Geese still have eight of their original 13.
Plenty of Pochards remain at the island.
A splendid picture by Virginia of the two Mandarin drakes joining forces for once to chase the unfortunate female. Usually her mate expels the spare drake, but it seems that the chance of a chase is too good to resist.
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The Black Swan was on the Serpentine following a female who didn't seem to be interested in him.
The planned flypast was much reduced by the weather, but at least the Red Arrows seem to have waterproof aircraft.
How to do things properly.
Eccentricity, in the best and most time-honoured British way. Regardless one's opinions about current and past incumbents, I still believe the institution of monarchy is a mark of civilization.
ReplyDeletePoor Grey Wagtail had to peep her little lungs out to get heard. I wonder why she was calling so.
Always a lovely spectacle, the first swifts of the year.
Tinúviel
We should have some baby Grey Wagtails lined up on those buoys soon clamouring to be fed, though it won't be as fine a show as a couple of years ago when the parents nested on the terrace of the Lido restaurant and you could get close-up views.
DeleteLovely flotilla of drake Pochards.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was leading an LNHS walk at Ruislip. When I arrived there were plenty of hirundines (House Martins, Swallows & 2 Sand Martins) but initially no Swifts. By the time we headed back there were at least 60 Swifts. Good to see too.
Haven't seen any Swallows yet, but they are not common in the park.
DeleteNice to see the swifts have arrived.
ReplyDeleteTheodore
Still some today at the Round Pond, but they come and go depending on the insect supply.
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