The Black Swan was still on the Long Water, and came over to the Vista.
He was left alone by the dominant Mute Swan, who had parked his new mate at the Vista while he went on several expeditions ...
... under the bridge to beat up the swans on the Serpentine.
A Moorhen at the Vista picked up a tiny white larva, probably the same thing that we often see the Pied Wagtails finding on the edge of the Serpentine.
Another Great Crested Grebe has arrived on the Serpentine, still completely in winter plumage. It was fishing near the bridge.
On the other side of the bridge one of the Long Water pair was fishing under the willow. It's a good place because the submerged branches are too crowded and tangled for Cormorants, so it's left for grebes ...
... and Grey Herons, one of which stepped nimbly over a branch.
A preening heron was reflected in the little stream in the Dell.
Pigeon Eater and his mate were away from their usual territory, and as often happens a pair of Herring Gulls had taken their place on the roof. I think it's always the same pair.
A pair of Stock Doves is often seen on a dead branch of a tall lime tree on Buck Hill near Magazine Gate. There are several holes in this tree, and a Green Woodpecker is another occupant. I heard it calling but it wasn't visible.
A Jay waited for a peanut in a tree near the Italian Garden. Two women below were exclaiming how beautiful it was, which may have been why it put its crest up.
The Robin near the Buck Hill shelter also seems to be aware of being admired.
The one in the Dell was at its usual game of trying to obstruct the two Coal Tits in the corkscrew hazel ...
... ineffectively, as these tiny birds are lightning fast at whizzing down to take pine nuts off the railings.
A different Coal Tit in a different corkscrew hazel, the one in the Flower Walk. The pair followed me right along the path.
A Blue Tit in the Rose Garden ate a pine nut it took from my hand. They really enjoy these and savour them bit by bit, unlike insects which go down in one gulp.
There were several more in the circle at the far end of the garden ...
... where a Paperwhite Daffodil, Narcissus papyraceus, was putting out many little flowers. The fancy narcissi bred for show come out later than the normal daffodils, but this is a wild species native to the Mediterranean and quite hardy.
I don't think the male Mutes see Black Swan as much of a competitor or threat and just sort of shoo him away like any other bird. Due to the fact he is not exactly a Mute and looks different, although the females seem to take a liking to his Aussie accent, it's just a shame it is too out of place and down under.
ReplyDeleteThe Jay is like Rod Stewart, with all the attention from the ladies.
Sean
I wonder what sort of taste buds they have. Enjoying a pine nut like a delicacy seems to suggest they like fatty and sweet things, like humans do I guess.
ReplyDeleteAlas, considering today's entry, the the timing of Boss's expeditions and sallies was extremely ill-judged.
Tinúviel
Blue Tits eat fruit, and flower buds with nectar in them, so I'm sure they like sweet things. They are also famous for pecking holes in the thick aluminium foil tops of old-fashioned milk bottles to drink the cream that rises to the top of old-fashioned full cream un-homogenised milk.
DeleteThe boss swan is perfectly able to fly over the bridge. He'll just have to spread those enormous wings and make an effort.