Possible grebe chicks on the Long Water?

It's hard to see what's happening on the Great Crested Grebe nest in the willow by the bridge, as the only place to view it from is right across the lake. But the male sitting on the nest did seem to be holding his wings up as if there were chicks on his back, while the female was cruising back and forth in front of the nest shouting at Coots.

The family at the island were out on the lake. Grebe chicks will always try to climb on to the back of the nearest parent, so it can be quite tricky to get all three on to one parent so that the other can go and catch fish for them.

There were Cormorants all along the posts nearby, but I don't think they present a serious threat to well guarded grebe chicks.

All was well on the nest under the Dell restaurant balcony, though I haven't managed to see if any more of the eggs have hatched.

The family from the middle of the island remains hidden though other people have glimpsed it from time to time over the past few days. The grebes never return to the nest they used, which is now occupied by a Tufted Duck.

The Black Swan was preening his white flight feathers.

The pair of Mute Swans that best unsuccessfully at the boathouse were back again. Even when they aren't trying to nest, it's a safe place to rest, screened by the railings.

Pigeon Eater was on the Long Water again, standing on a post at Peter Pan. It's hard to see what he likes about this spot, as there aren't nearly as many Feral Pigeons as on the Serpentine and there are no small chicks either.

However, at the near end of the line of posts there is a place where pigeons congregate to bathe, and he may have designs on them.

Back at his home patch on the Serpentine, a young Herring Gull was playing with a plastic bottle.

The oddly confident Dunnock was foraging behind the railings opposite the Buck Hill shelter again. It patiently allows itself to be photographed and even filmed, while most Dunnocks flee if you even look at them.

This is the same Robin, probably young, as I photographed in the Flower Walk yesterday, coming out on the patch to ask for pine nuts. It's going to be a regular customer now.

Its smart appearance contrasts with the worn plumage of adults that have bred, such as this one at the southwest corner of the bridge.

Ahmet Amerikali got good pictures of a young Blackcap by the bridge ...

... and the Grey Wagtail in the Italian Garden.

The beans on the catalpa trees near the Italian Garden are ripening and Rose-Ringed Parakeets are beginning to gather to eat them.

A Grey Squirrel crammed itself with hawthorn fruit on a tree beside the Long Water.

The Michaelmas daisies in the Rose Garden are popular with many insects, and attracted a Buff-Tailed Bumblebee ...

... and a European Drone Fly, Eristalis arbustorum.

A Common Carder Bee preferred a clump of sage.