We don't often see Common Terns in the park. The fishing is good but there is nowhere to nest, and when several years ago a raft was put on the Long Water for them it was badly bungled and the terns scorned it. Today a pair arrived at Peter Pan. One perched on a post ...
... while the other flew up and down the Long Water. Later they were both flying over the Serpentine.
Before they nest, female Great Tits flutter their wings and twitter at their mates to beg for food, making sure that they will be fed when on the nest. But these two weren't begging at their mates, they were asking me directly to give them pine nuts -- which of course I did.
There was a family at Mount Gate with the young doing the same begging call. It's used by many songbirds, even Magpies, to mean 'Feed me!'
On the hill below the Round Pond, a Jackdaw strolled up with a lordly air to collect a peanut.
A Carrion Crow preened its mate in a treetop. This combines affection with a light snack, as they eat any fleas or lice that they find.
A crow on Buck Hill was panting to cool down on quite a warm day.
A Wood Pigeon eating unripe juneberries near the Lido reached too far and fell out of the bush.
I was premature in guessing that the female Little Owl at the Round Pond was nesting. She was out on her usual branch in the lime tree.
The female at the Serpentine Gallery was in the sweet chestnut where the pair's nest hole is.
The Mute Swan family on the Long Water were touting for food at the Vista. A silly dog owner let her dog run at themn, and the male saw it off very effectively.
The swan nesting in the reed bed by the Diana fountain landing stage has been there for more than six weeks. She looks comfortable but nothing seems to be happening.
The Mallard on the Round Pond was shepherding her six ducklings along the edge ...
... but the Mandarin ducklings were wandering around dangerously. There are now only three left.
A male Black-Tailed Skimmer dragonfly sunned himself on a chain at Peter Pan.
The conflict between the Wool Carder Bees and the Buff-Tailed Bumblebees in the patch of Lamb's Ears in the Rose Garden has quietened down, as the Buff-Tails have retreated to one end of the patch ...
... and the Wool Carders to the other, where they were now finding time to feed instead of fighting non-stop.
Tom was at Rainham Marshes and got a splendid picture of a male Bearded Tit flying off a reed.
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It’s a shame to hear about the Terns like that. Surely they can scramble together some floating wood on the lakes, certainly enough space for one. Terns are beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteSean
You overestimate the energy and goodwill of the park management.
DeleteSuper picture by Tom.
ReplyDeleteGreat to know there are terns about, good spot. Nice shots of the owl
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we only get terns very occasionally. I doubt whether even the most attractive of rafts would make them stay.
DeleteWe hadn't had a picture of a pigeon tumbling down for some time. Glad to see they never learn, as it's supremely funny.
ReplyDeleteI imagine the female Great Tits know you are the better provider.
Tinúviel
When you see a Wood Pigeon reaching for fruit, you know that sooner or later it will reach too far and fall off. I don't think they mind this happening, as they always manage to keep themselves from crashing to the ground and can flap clumsily away.
DeleteAll the small birds seem to find pine nuts superbly delicious, so it's the most effective way of attracting them. Coal Tits actually prefer to live in stone pines, the species that bears these seeds.