The Reed Warblers have arrived from Africa. A male was singing in the reed bed below the Diana fountain.
Otherwise it was just the usual small birds. Blackcaps -- also migrants, from southern Europe -- were singing around the Long Water. This one was at Peter Pan.
So was this Wren.
A Chaffinch perched on a twig, holding a small larva. Evidently there's a nest here.
There certainly is a Long-Tailed Tits' nest in the brambles between the bridge and the Vista, as I've seen the parents carrying insects. One perched on the variegated holly tree that seems to be a good hunting ground.
The nest in the Rose Garden can actually be seen. A parent perched on a nearby azalea.
A Robin came out on the railings of the Dell ...
... and another lurked in a red-leafed hazel bush in the Flower Walk.
A Pied Wagtail perched on a corner of the Dell restaurant roof.
The Grey Heron on the stairs at the bridge eyed a couple on the bench, hoping they'd produce a bit of food.
I filmed this literally from my front doorstep looking across the street, where a Herring Gull on a cornice was being harassed by a Carrion Crow. There is a square with trees just down the road and maybe crows are nesting there and the nest needs to be defended, but maybe it's just that the crow wanted a bit of fun.
A Herring Gull stared down at Coot nesting against a post at Peter Pan, wondering if there were any chicks it could grab. There aren't yet.
An Egyptian gosling on the Serpentine scooted around picking insects from the surface. They need the extra protein in order to grow.
The Greylag Geese brought their three goslings ashore to graze, a perilous undertaking as any moment a dog might appear and the family would have to flee to the water. The other two geese were tolerated as long as they didn't come too close, and indeed two more pairs of eyes would be helpful in watching for danger.
The single gosling was just along the bank.
The five Mallard ducklings are growing fast and perhaps already out of danger of being snatched by a Herring Gull -- but there are plenty of other hazards for a young bird.
A male Green-Veined White butterfly posed obligingly behind the railings at the Vista. The green(-ish) veins are only visible on the underside of the wings.
Great news about the reed warblers - will be up to (hopefully) get photos soon.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of migratory birds, no sign of housemartins at West Hendon yet - probably a good thing when we consider the permanently-lousy weather and the fact that the Welsh Harp reservoir has been drained so that maintenance work can take place.
There were several House Martins over the lake today. By no means the first, they arrived a few days ago.
DeleteLovely shot of the Reed Warbler. I did hear some at the London Wetland Centre a couple of days back but they didn't show for me.
ReplyDeleteHope the Chaffinch nest is successful as the species needs all the help it can get.
Your white is actually a male Green-veined White. The black extends down the side of the wing (restricted to the wing apex in Small White) & you can just about make out the shadows of the green veins from the underwing. It was the only butterfly I saw a t Kew yesterday & then a Holly Blue at home.
Thanks for the correction on the butterfly. Blog altered -- one must keep things right, even in hindsight.
DeleteIt's odd that in the rather unpromising conditions of a city-centre park we have a fair number of Chaffinches and they are breeding -- there has been plenty of evidence of this in past years. I am hearing singing males all over the place.
Yes it's weird, because I get none breeding locally. I heard one calling down Queen Elizabeth Walk by LWC in the week & hear a few singing in Richmond Park but that's about it for places I regularly visit.
DeleteHope yours continue to prosper.
Wow, Reed Warblers are great news! I was finally able to go to the park yesterday and found the Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid on the Long Water. I saw the Peregrine at 18:00 at the Barracks tower and I found the columbines! I found a Goldcrest with a bright orange crest too which I found very odd and the sawfly larvae. Finally, I was able to photograph some of the House martins.
ReplyDeleteTheodore
The Columbines are a bit past their best. By the away, those larvae turned out not to be sawfly ones, despite the strong resemblance. They're Box Tree Moth caterpillars, bent on making that box tree look even more manky than it is already.
DeleteThat Herring Gull sounds awfully aggravated. I wouldn't put it past the Crow to be having some fun at its expense.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the Reed Warbler! It's always a heartening sight to see old friends return safe and sound after a perilous voyage.
Tinúviel
I'm sure that crow was having a lovely time. They have a rather brutal idea of fun. Another welcome return today, Swallows. My first sight, though someone else saw one a couple of days ago.
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