I thought that when the familiar tatty Robin disappeared from the Flower Walk that its place had been taken by the Robin from the south side of the path. But I was wrong. Here is the Robin on the south side, in the usual place on the railings ...
... and here is a new Robin on the north side. It's impossible that the tatty Robin could have smartened up so much in a few days. But it's already coming boldly to my hand, as well as chasing away the Great Tits in the bushes.
The Coal Tit at Mount Gate was waiting among red leaves.
The female Blackbird in the Rose Garden shrubbery poked around in the leaf litter.
A Starling sang on a chair at the Lido restaurant.
The Little Owl at the Round Pond was restless and preening in her nest hole.
Pigeon Eater was back in his usual place at the Dell restaurant and there was no sign of the other gull that was moving in on his territory. He must have asserted himself strongly with the big interloper.
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The Czech Black-Headed Gull had given up its dalliance, at least for the time being, and was on its usual notice.
This Grey Heron has taken to perching on a bush at the Vista, to the annoyance of the Moorhens that live underneath.
A Great Crested Grebe chick followed its father across the Long Water.
The Little Grebe was still on the Round Pond, and still staying far out in the middle. Evidently the fishing is better in the deeper water.
A Cormorant dried its wings on the bare branch of a half-dead tree on the Serpentine island, a favourite perch for Cormorants.
Gadwalls are normally shy and completely wild, so it was a surprise to see one walking across the path to beg for food from someone on a bench. But the park has its effect on the wildest of birds.
Joan Chatterley was at Rainham Marshes and got excellent pictures of a Black-Tailed Godwit ...
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... and a Great Egret. People have started calling them Great White Egrets recently, but all egrets are white. I blame Jaws.
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A Shaggy Parasol mushroom at the Round Pond made a perch for an ichneumon wasp. There are countless species of these and I wouldn't dare to guess which one.
The fatsia bush at the bridge has produced fruit, large fleshy pods full of seeds. How different from its near relative ivy, which has small berries.
When do Robins moult in GB? Early autumn? Maybe he's off moulting somewhere? Or is it too late in the season for that? Just trying to keep my anxiety for him down.
ReplyDeleteTinúvuel
I think in the autumn. But surely the change was too fast for it to be the same bird. However, he has disappeared for months before and come back. I'm not raising my hopes too far, as he was at least three and Robins don't live long.
DeleteGreat White Egret is the orthodox British name, used by the BTO among others. Although unlike other egrets it's an Ardea, and some Egretta elsewhere in the world are dark, though none are also great in size. Jim
ReplyDeleteIt's just Great Egret in my battered 2001 edition of the Collins Bird Guide. In the Collins app on my phone it's now Great White Egret.
DeleteIt's Great White Egret in my well-worn 1974 edition of The Birds of Britain and Europe... which is also Collins. I dare say the authors get a bit of discretion. Jim
DeleteYou can’t beat yourself up about the Robin confusion, they do all look alike.
ReplyDeletePigeon Eater can never have a day off can he! I suppose so-called perks of being the king of the Dell restaurant..I reckon he likes the self stroke ego from it all.
Hi Ralph - I am in the London today and would love to try to see the little owl. Roughly where is it around the round pond?
ReplyDeleteIf you can do it in time, please write to the email address on the blog. This is information I don't put on the blog, to avoid the owl being frightened away by a mob.
DeleteNon problem - can’t see the email address on the blog though
ReplyDeleteOnly on the computer version of the blog. Right column.
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