A bit of welcome sunshine

It was a beautiful sunny mild day for a change. A Blue Tit near the Italian Garden sang on a twig swaying in the wind.

The pair of Coal Tits in the Dell appeared in the corkscrew hazel in the Dell as usual. They feel safe here and are fairly easy to photograph.

They followed me to the corner, where there is a Japanese paperbush in blossom, and I hoped to get a picture of one there. It's simple to get pictures of easygoing Blue Tits ...

... but the camera-shy Coal Tits sulked and wouldn't come any nearer than the dogwood bush at the back.

Eventually putting pine nuts on the railings brought one out into the paperbush, where it looked at the camera suspiciously.

A Goldcrest jumped around in a bush at the northwest corner of the bridge. They aren't shy but they never stay still for a moment and it's quite hard to get a picture. It was further complicated by the scene being backlit.

The young male Chaffinch in the Flower Walk appeared with the older female who I think is his mother and now seems to be his mate. Birds do things differently and have never heard of Oedipus.

The single Robin at Mount Gate was looking oddly tatty. The last time I saw it, it was perfectly sleek. I know it's the same one as it came confidently to my hand. Had it been in a fight?

A Carrion Crow on the Parade Ground strutted, shining in the sunlight, to demand a peanut.

Another was being defied by a Coot. It took no notice.

Pigeon Eater was away hunting, and his mate kept his place on the roof.

Even the routine picture of the dominant Black-Headed Gull was enhanced by the sunshine.

The female Grey Heron in the nest at the west end of the island idly prodded her dozing mate.

A Moorhen stood on one leg to preen on a bit of loose plastic netting. They enjoy using their balancing skills.

The female Mute Swan 4GIQ whom the Black Swan has chosen as his girlfriend and follows obsessively is still not happy with the idea. She flew off, but he was right behind her all the way.

Two male Mute Swans circled each other trying to establish dominance without going as far as fighting.

The pair 4FYY amd 4FUF preened by the nest site in the reeds at the east end of the Lido. It's not clear whether they want to claim it.

The Egyptian Geese on the south side of the Serpentine have managed to still keep all their eight goslings. They were keeping a very close eye on them ready to fend off dogs, gulls and crows.