Woodpeckers in the Dell

A pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into a Dawn Redwood tree in the Dell. This species of tree, Metasequoia glyptoistroboides, was known only from fossils and believed to be extinct until one was discovered growing in China in 1941. After the war seeds were sent to botanic gardens around the world, and there are three trees in Hyde Park, now grown very tall.

The female flew away, but I got some film of the male climbing on the branches. You can tell he's male because he has a red patch on the back of his head.

One of the Coal Tit pair ...

... and a Blue Tit appeared in the big yew on the other side of the Dell.

Only two of the regular Robins could be seen, the one in the Rose Garden ...

... and the one at the southwest corner of the bridge.

Ahmet Amerikali got a picture of the Cetti's Warbler which is often here, though usually out of sight in the bushes ...

... and a Wren in the same place.

He also got a shot of the Kingfisher on the Long Water. I arrived just too late to see it. I have been having very bad luck with this bird.

A female Blackbird perched in a holly tree. We see sadly few Blackbirds now.

A Carrion Crow was having a wash in the Long Water, standing on a submerged branch.

A Jackdaw beside the Serpentine pecked at a branch, maybe trying to extract an insect from under the bark.

The Grey Wagtail hunted along the edge.

A Grey Heron has reoccupied the nest at the east end of the island, a successful breeding place which produced two broods earlier this year.

The dominant Black-Headed Gull on the landing stage is getting his black head already, months ahead of the others. I think he is full of male hormones which account for both this and his aggressive behaviour.

A pair of Coots preened on the edge of the Serpentine.

A pair of Egyptian Geese shouted at the others, then went for a drink in a puddle. The female quacks, the male makes a hoarse panting noise.

The big blond male often seen on the south shore was having a flap.