The herons in the west nest

The pair of Grey Herons in the nest at the west end of the island now seem firmly bonded, and were standing side by side. It looks as if they are going to start breeding.

There are now three active nests on the island. In chronological order, here are the upper nest, where you can see a chick a few weeks old moving around under its parent; the nest at the east end of the island where there is also a chick but it was out of sight today; and the nest at the west end also pictured above.

The heron at the bridge reminded its friend that it would like some food. This is a thoroughly pampered bird with several people feeding it, and it has become very forward.

Most of the remaining Cormorants are now in breeding plumage, with white side patches and bristly white feathers on their head. They should be off soon to wherever their breeding ground is. In recent years these seabirds have started nesting in rocky places inland.

Two pairs of Egyptian Geese on the south shore of the Serpentine yelled insults at each other.

The pool above the rapids in the Diana fountain is a popular place for Herring Gulls to wash and preen.

On a grey and chilly day there was no reason for the Little Owl at the Round Pond to come out of her hole.

Tom was at Rainham Marshes and got a fine picture of the local Barn Owl, which reliably comes out of the nest box at dusk to hunt.

Disappointingly, there was no further sign of Redwings on the Parade Ground -- just the female Blackbird which is usually here and even she was too far off. Probably we'll see them again soon.

A pair of Long-Tailed Tits checked the trees beside the Henry Moore sculpture. I've seen several other pairs rather than the large winter flocks, a sign of approaching spring.

A new Blue Tit appeared in a bush near the Italian Garden. It accepted some pine nuts thrown on the ground.

I hadn't even got into the Rose Garden when there was a Blue Tit waiting on the railings.

The male Chaffinch turned up in a flower bed, then followed me around the garden. Both he ...

... and the one in Kensington Gardens ...

... have badly virus-damaged feet and are clearly having difficulty finding food, so they are always hungry for pine nuts. Their mates, whose feet are still in good condition, are less often seen though they are happy to be fed.

Both the Coal Tits in the Rose Garden were waiting ...

... and there was another pair flirting and chasing each other in a yew tree  in the Dell.