A bit of sunshine

It was a mild day with occasional sunshine, and there were people on the Lido restaurant terrace again. Starlings waited all around for their chance to grab something off a table.

But it was a Black-Headed Gull that made off with a piece of cake.

At the far end of the Serpentine the Czech Black-Headed Gull had deserted his usual post and come to the parapet at the outflow, where he could keep an eye on the Dell restaurant terrace and stage a raid of his own.

The Black Swan cruised up and down the edge of the terrace, hoping that someone would throw him a scrap. He knows that he is unique in the park and of special interest, and trades on it.

One of the odd faded Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, the one with pale eyes, surveyed the scene from the roof, also hoping for a chance.

These two brother gulls seem to be trying to take over Pigeon Eater's territory, though so far I have seen no sign of conflict. Pigeon Eater was away at the time.

Farther up the shore, the new pair of Herring Gulls were companionably side by side ...

... between two pairs of Egyptian Geese at least 50 yards apart, pointlessly shouting at each other. The are absurdly territorial.

At the Round Pond the Little Owl was back on her current favourite branch -- not my favourite, as it makes her hard to photograph.

On the grass below a Pied Wagtail stared curiously at the camera.

But I couldn't find the Little Grebes on the pond, and I think they've left.

One of the young Grey Herons on the island had wandered down from the nest, but the other two were staying put. Although they can certainly all fly their adventures have been pretty timid so far, and I haven't yet seen one down on the ground.

The Grey Wagtail visited the top of the Dell waterfall.

The familiar Chaffinch intercepted me at the bridge ...

... and the one in the Rose Garden shrubbery is also now coming out for thrown pine nuts.

The male Great Tit here is a long established customer, and his mate is now coming to my hand too.

Speaking of which, here is Mark Williams's picture of the Jay in St James's Park which used to perch on his hand and eat its fill of nuts.

The Jays here will swoop to grab a peanut from your hand in flight, but they aren't confident enough to perch.

Three Red Crested Pochard drakes on the Long Water were in different stages of regrowing their bright breeding plumage.

There was still a Speckled Wood butterfly to be seen near Peter Pan.