Queuing in the Dell

A Blackcap can raise quite a tall crest, perhaps unexpected in a quiet-coloured brown female.

The Coal Tit in the Dell now regularly flies down to the corkscrew hazel behind the railings to collect pine nuts ...

... but has to wait for several Great Tits to be served.

More were waiting in the bushes in the Rose Garden.

Blue Tits, though smaller than Great Tits, are quite able to knock one off you hand if there's a delay in collecting its treat.

The Robin at Mount Gate is just as assertive ...

... but this one in the Flower Walk was lurking timidly under a bush.

Pigeon Eater missed a catch and shouted in annoyance.

The fierce Black-Headed Gull on the landing stage was striding up and down challenging anyone to attempt a landing.

The young Grey Heron at the Lido restaurant was also parading back and forth, but in this case looking for someone to throw it a chip or a bit of cake.

Two young Great Crested Grebe chicks from the west end of the island looked around anxiously for one of their parents to return with a fish for them.

The single chick from the Dell restaurant was with its father, whose crest was ruffled by a gust ...

... and so was the chick at the bridge.

Cormorants are perching on any available spot at the overcrowded island.

The lone Mute cygnet, now usually seen on its own, was following its mother.

One of the six oung swans on the Long Water had a wash and a strong flap with its now fully developed wings. But they are only beginning to try to fly and it will be a while before any of them get airborne.

Egyptian Geese took advantage of a brief shower. Lightly wetted feathers make preening easier.

The blond Egyptian male was also preening, showing off his pale grey wings.