New cygnets

The Mute Swans who nested in an uncomfortably public place next to the terrace of the Lido restaurant have managed to hatch three cygnets. An egg visible on the left is probably a dud. A moment of alarm was caused by a passing Grey Heron.

However, there's probably more danger from the killer swan, who has a history of murdering other swans' cygnets -- and for that matter their parents. His mate was out on the Serpentine with her seven, not far from the nest at the Lido.

A female Mallard had unexpectedly laid an egg on the edge. There was no chance of incubating it, so the pair just abandoned it. An Egyptian Goose poked it curiously.

A drizzly day kept people and dogs out of the park, allowing the Greylag Geese with two goslings ...

... and one to browse in the long grass some way back from the shore. The Canada helper is still with the second pair.

The Canadas with three and one had gone a long way up the bank. In this exposed place they were keeping a very careful lookout for a dog in the distance.

The Great Crested Grebe chick on the Long Water could be seen distantly through the murk. I still haven't managed to see or hear the pair with two chicks on the Serpentine.

The Coot nesting at the bridge seems to be down to one chick, and there was no sign of the very large number of eggs that were in the nest hatching, or even how many of them remain.

Zooming out shows a possible source of danger on the railings.

You can also see the stones that were knocked off the bridge by the car accident just after Christmas, The delay in repairs is not the park's fault: restorers of historic buildings are rare and kept very busy, and you have to wait for a slot in their schedule.

The two young Grey Herons were in their usual place on the baskets. Let's hope they are starting to catch their own fish in their new independence.

The second nest at the east end of the island ought to be hatching soon.

There's already one odd pair of a Lesser Black-Backed Gull and a Herring Gull on the lake, but it looks as if we have a new pair. The Herring Gull is young and still not in full adult plumage.

Mistle Thrushes have been very scarce recently, and it was a surprise to see one foraging under the Henry Moore sculpture. It's looking darker than normal because it's wet from the drizzle.

The Coal Tit at the northwest corner of the bridge is interested in me feeding the Great Tits, but hasn't yet dared to come down. It probably will in time.

The Great Tits who chase me constantly round the Rose Garden now have a family to feed.

A Chaffinch under the tree was surprised to find himself being photographed.

The drizzle didn't deter a hardy Buff-Tailed Bumblebee from browsing on Stachys flowers, one of their favourite plants.