Back to normal

The frosty weather is over for the time being and it's back to a normal dim November day of wind and occasional drizzle. Although it was Saturday there were few people in the park. This allows some birds access to places where they can't usually go because of people and dogs. The grass between the Triangle shrubbery and the small boathouses is prized by geese because this is where the grandstand for the 2012 Olympics was, and afterwards it was resurfaced with high quality sports turf which is lusher and tastier than the scrubby grass elsewhere. Canada Geese were making the most of their chance.

The boat hire was closed, as no one would want to go out in these conditions, so the platform was occupied by Black-Headed Gulls.

The Flower Walk was also closed, as it is when there's a bit of wind. I can't see the point of this, as the trees there are no more likely to fall down than those anywhere else in the park. So I couldn't visit most of my regular customers, but I did find a Robin at Mount Gate ...

... and some Great Tits ...

... and Blue Tits in a thorny bush north of the Albert Memorial.

There were several Pied Wagtails at the Round Pond ...

... but the Little Owl was understandably staying at the back of her hole.

This Jackdaw with one foot is an old friend which used to be at the Vista, but has now moved to the north shore of the Serpentine and usually accosts me as I pass. It seems to get around perfectly well.

The Carrion Crows in the park used to be found mainly at the northwest corner of Kensington Gardens, which is where this video was shot. Now they have spread out more widely over the park, but there are still a lot in their original place and if you feed them you get the whole gang at once.

(This video and the next one were shot yesterday when the light was better. The camera I use for video is falling to pieces and barely functions in the damp. I shall have to replace it.)

It isn't the season for courtship, but established pairs of gulls like to have a display from time to time to reinforce their bonding. It's always fun to watch them trotting around side by side.

Pigeon Eater was shooing rivals out of his territory.

Two Common Gulls are rivals for this post just along the north shore. Today it was a male with pale legs.

The other one, a female with yellow legs, is seen here in an earlier picture.

I'm basing my guess at their sex from head shape, longer and slightly flat topped for males, shorter and domed for females -- this is certainly the case with their larger relatives.

Wind-blown leaves gave the Grey Heron at the boathouse a better fishing place. The fish lurk in what they suppose is the shelter of the leaves, but the heron can see them through the gaps.

A pair of Moorhens at the island weren't bothered when it started raining more heavily.

A Cormorant tried ineffectively to dry its wings, but at least wet feathers made it easier to preen.

An Egyptian Goose had the same idea.