It was a dull day, both in terms of bad light and because very little was happening, and I apologise for an uninteresting post. But at least the chill is receding and the ice is beginning to melt.
The Great Crested Grebes which arrived yesterday have spread out over the clear parts of the lake, and a pair were diving under the edge of the ice on the Long Water.
One of them surfaced under the willow behind a Mallard, which looked nervous.
In the Italian Garden, a Coot thought it would be refreshing to take a cold shower. I shall never understand Coots.
A Cormorant flew in from outside and landed under the Italian Garden, where the water from the borehole comes into the lake. Since the water is at the unvarying ground temperature of 10°C, it never freezes here even in the coldest weather.
The solitary Gadwall dabbled in a fountain pool on the edge of the ice, evidently finding some tiny edible creatures.
The resident Egyptian Geese stood together on the edge.
The male Egyptian under the Henry Moore sculpture was by himself. However, the day before yesterday I saw him here with his mate. Her nesting seems to be an on-off affair, and she may not go ahead with it.
The pair's nearest rivals were making a racket in a tree up the hill.
One of the teenage Mute Swans cruised down the ice-free edge of the Serpentine, oddly accompanied by a Coot. It found a bit of wood which, sadly, proved not to be good to eat.
A Grey Heron was fishing beside one of the boathouses, a favourite spot.
Gulls squabbled over the Serpentine island.
The dominant Black-Headed Gull looked over his territory from the top of the Big Bird statue.
I hadn't seen this Coal Tit in the Dell before, but it seemed to know what was going on and came down to the railings to take pine nuts.
The usual Coal Tit ...
... and Blue Tit were waiting in the Rose Garden for their daily pine nuts. This Blue Tit is distinctive, with a little crest always sticking up in a tuft.
The Robins in the middle of the Rose Garden were close to each other, one in a bush ...
... and one on the ground below.
Normally they would be yelling at each other, but it seems that hunger has brought them to an uneasy truce. Probably later in the year they will turn out to be mates.
However, the Robin near the Henry Moore sculpture is still keeping well away from the nearest one along the path.
Hello Ralph,
ReplyDeletethe Serpetine was mainly frozen today, swans looked rather desperate. Nice to see people came to feed, so while I was feeding the "right food" with Virginia we were approached by a moron saying whether we seen the signs. I said I didn't give a flying fig and that he has no compassion since it's been minus 5 at night last few nights and plus the ice. He said the parks know what they are doing so I said no they don't that's the tragedy, and he left. The important thing is not to let them under your skin. When you look at them you can tell most of them are into fox hunting, shooting, other types of hunting etc. i have absolutely no time for these humans and I lost respect for the parks now as well. As someone said, they should be telling people what to feed and in the old days they even used to sell bird pellets in the boathouse- they were always sold out. Those were the happy days with the old and reasonable management.
Jenna
Well done. In these cases I always point out that the current park manager is on a power trip, which is no more than the truth. Occasionally the person even sees the point, but not often as busybodies are on a power trip of their own.
DeleteYou have my admiration and my thanks, Jenna.
DeleteTinúviel
Yes often times you can see what kind of people they are. He sees the lakes have been under ice for days - and when they are frozen it means it's been pretty cold. There is no kindness or compassion. There are some old arthritic swans and ducks and geese who need the help, especially in this type of weather. One of the swans had to be taken to the Sanctuary two days ago, as she couldn't cope with her legs in the frosty weather.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with people littering or feeding white bread. But all of them need the energy at this time of year. I even managed to feed a black bird on way down.
Jenna
A Grebe always brightens up my day. Thank you
ReplyDeleteAnd everyone's, I think.
DeleteWhat he said.
DeleteTinúviel
Very glad and relieved most of your usual customers made it through the night. The worst is now over, I hope.
ReplyDeleteIs it true that a collective group of Coots is called a madness of Coots, or did I dream it?
Tinúviel
Haven't heard of a 'madness of coots', though it fits. However, 'crazy as a coot' is quite current, and with reason.
DeleteA last comment on feeding.
ReplyDeleteJenna is right the current philosophy behind the feeding ban diktat is about wild and rewilding which is a total nonsense when referring to central London parks.
After receiving an admonishment from the chairman of the friends of Holland park, Jennie, I asked her if she wanted to reintroduce wolves. Well, I thought it was funny.
Wolves certainly made me laugh!
Delete