Another Mediterranean Gull seen, but not by me

It was a much milder day than of late, though very dark and there were few photo opportunities.

A Robin sang very quietly to itself in a rose bush, barely audible above the distant roar of the Wasteland.

The Robin in the next bush came out for some pine nuts. The two were taking a break from their usual rivalry -- even a Robin can't yell defiance non-stop.

A Blue Tit perched on another twig.

The Robin at the southwest corner of the bridge was waiting by the railings.

Patricia photographed it as it grabbed a pine nut. It always hovers for a moment without landing, but it will probably adopt the usual Robin behaviour of perching and taking several.

A Coal Tit looked down from the top of the bush. It hasn't yet dared to come down, but sooner or later it should follow the example of the other birds.

A flock of Long-Tailed Tits passed down the east side of the Long Water. This one is on a winged elm, a small tree that grows in profusion along the shore, probably all the same individual spread by root suckers.

Two hours later a flock, maybe the same one, was going up the other side. They collected in a tree on the edge of the Vista before crossing the gap together.

A Magpie perched among the spiky fruits of the sweetgum tree by the Diana fountain landing stage.

The dominant Black-Headed Gull was in his usual place below.

A Mediterranean Gull was seen flying from the Serpentine to the Long Water this morning, apparently not the first-year bird that Bill Haines saw a few days ago. I searched the lakes and the Round Pond, but couldn't find it.

The Grey Heron at the Lido was taking a rest from fishing at the ramp, and stood on the handrail.

There was a dense mob of Coots to the west of the island. It makes you understand why the collective noun for Coots is 'a raft'.

A two-on-two fight broke out at the Vista.

The Black Swan has been following a female Mute Swan around the Serpentine. She is 4GIQ, and earlier this year she nested unsuccessfully in the reeds by the Diana landing stage, laying eggs that didn't hatch.

They came ashore and he started picking up dead leaves and dropping them in a pile. For both species of swan this is a symbol of building a nest, and he was trying to impress her -- she's behind him on the left. She took absolutely no notice.

A pair of Gadwalls dabbled in fallen leaves in the shallow water at the edge of the Serpentine.

There are two of these dark Mallard drakes, presumably brothers. This one was at the landing stage. The other has been quite badly injured and is being looked after by Jenna. It can't go to the Swan Sanctuary yet because they are imposing a quarantine for bird flu, but we all hope it will survive and can then be moved there.

By the time I had finished the unsuccessful search for the gull the sun had set and it was almost dark when I passed Mount Gate, but the faithful Robin emerged when called.