Waiting for news of the swans

There was a great deal of attention to the eggs at the Black Swan and his Mute mate 4GIQ's nest, but I couldn't see whether any had hatched. They can tell when hatching is imminent by the sound of the cygnets stirring inside the egg. If anyone has further news, please email it to the address on the blog. If, better still, you have a picture, please send the original at full size without allowing the email program to degrade it.

Otherwise life went on as usual. The Canada Geese with three goslings browsed peacefully on the grass at the east side of the Lido.

It was a bit cooler, but an Egyptian at the boathouses stll needed to shade the goslings from the sun.

The pair with two goslings were at the east end of the lake. The young ones are now too large to be snatched by Pigeon Eater or any large gull, and Pigeon Eater himself has been visiting the area less often as there are fewer Feral Pigeons on the edge. He can hunt more profitably elsewhere, as the pigeons are less aware of the danger he presents.

The Great Crested Grebes halfway along the island were changing places on the nest. This is a slightly longer video than usual, as it takes a while for them to swap places, turn the eggs over to keep them evenly warmed, and settle down. Shifts are about half an hour, giving the unoccupied grebe plenty of time to catch a fish.

A Coot dived at the edge of the Serpentine to feed on algae and any small edible water creature it might find.

A Grey Heron standing over a foot above the water reached down to have a drink. They can also fish most effectively from this height thanks to a long neck and perfect balance.

Another on the Long Water enjoyed a scratch on a dead tree.

A Blackbird sang in the leaf yard ...

... and a Blackcap sang by Mount Gate.

A young Blue Tit by the bridge flutttered to encourage its parents to feed it ...

... and the insistent tatty adult in the Rose Garden pestered me for a pine nut.

A young Starling at the Lido restaurant appealed to a parent.

A Jay in a hawthorn near the Queen's Temple wanted a peanut.

The Little Owl in the lime tree at the Serpentine Gallery was more visible than in the last few days.

A Painted Lady butterfly in the Rose Garden fed on a wallflower ..

... and so did a Common Carder Bee.

Later: I went back at 7.30 pm to see if anything had happened with the swans, but it was all quiet.

The Black Swan menaced a passing Egyptian family.