The Robins in the Rose Garden have to put up with the din from the funfair for the next six weeks. One ticked in annoyance, another sang loudly to be heard over the noise.
The familiar one perched on a rose stem waiting to be fed ...
... accompanied by a Blue Tit ...
... and the Coal Tit was there but fled into the hedge when I tried to photograph it. It forgave me and came down for several pine nuts.
The male Chaffinch also turned up, but not his mate.
A Blue Tit beside the Long Water pecked at a leaf bud. Probably they can get a bit of sugary sap out of these, welcome at a time when insects are scarce.
The Grey Wagtail was hunting up the edge of the Serpentine.
Even in cold weather there are always some midges.
Half a dozen Jackdaws came to be fed between the island and the Dell restaurant.
One of the Hyde Park Little Owls was seen hunting on the ground by a gardener early yesterday morning. When people and dogs arrive later, they retire to their hole and are never seen in chilly weather. However, I heard a Little Owl around 1 pm today calling from a horse chestnut just north of the Queen's Temple. I looked for it without success. Very likely it was calling from inside a hole.
Pigeon Eater was away from his station chasing off some other gulls, and the Herring Gull pair that we've seen several times on the restaurant roof were in his place. No doubt he dealt with them later.
The Huntress in the Rose Garden was having to bear the unaccustomed weight of a Herring Gull.
The Black Swan has just come down from his quiet boring time on the Round Pond to the Serpentine where the high-status Mute Swans live. So he needs to reassert his place in the pecking order, which is high because he punches well above his weight. I arrived just in time to see him chasing a swan ...
... and stretching up and hooting.
Then he paraded around with his wings and ruffles raised threateningly.
The trio of a Canada Goose, his Canada x Greylag hybrid mate (on the right) and another hybrid which may be a sibling were at the island.
A Common Pochard drake attended to its feathers.
A squirrel came down to drink from the lake, stretching out to avoid putting its front paws in the slime.
Being Australian, he's used to everything else trying to kill him, and adapted.
ReplyDeleteI've begun to hear Robins in my neck of woods, in quiet streets. It's unseasonably cold here -- perhaps that has something to do with it?
I like to think the Little Owl knew you were there and just said hello.
Tinúviel
Black Swan is requesting a hug from you!
ReplyDeleteCould this be his time to shine on the Serpentine..
flamboyant aggressive behaviour and showing dominance. I like this new approach from him. It may seem he has had enough lonesome time on the Round Pond, contemplating his contrasting ways. Set out to test a new tactic in wooing a partner and potentially live happily ever after. Good luck mate
Fantastic capture of the Squirrel.
Sean
The Black Swan has already fought his way to near the top on the Serpentine, and wanted to remind the other swans that he was back from his break on the Round Pond.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the European weather map now, just after midnight: 5° at Cáceres, 1° in the surroundings of London, 3° in the London heat island. Unusually cold for November, more like January, but within normal fluctuations.
Note sure where that Little Owl was from. I have seen a Little Owl in those trees, but years ago and it was the one from behind the Albert Memorial which I'm sure is long gone. It's not far from the Serpentine Gallery where the owls bred this year. The call was from a male owl and they are more mobile than females.
Very nice report. That bird on the huntress's head and the splayed squirrel were unexpected bits of humor amidst the beautiful bird images.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
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