A Goldcrest flitted about in the yew tree at the southwest corner of the bridge ...
... where the Robin was waiting across the path.
Both the Coal Tits came out on the upper level by the roadway.
On the other side of the bridge a Wood Pigeon was eating arbutus fruit.
Of course the Jays were here, as insistent as ever.
The Jackdaws along the shore of the Serpentine are much more polite in their requests, and never a nuisance.
The Little Owl at the Serpentine Gallery was in her lime tree, more visible than usual.
As the leaves turn brown and fall the Rose-Ringed Parakeets, well camouflaged in summer, become more conspicuous. Their predators include Sparrowhawks, Peregrines, Tawny Owls and even in summer Hobbies which are about the same size as them.
A Common Gull perched on a sign by the Dell restaurant ...
... and the Czech Black-Headed Gull was on his favourite post on the other side of the lake. Unlike the other dominant Black-Headed Gull at the other end of the Serpentine, he is only just beginning to get his dark head.
The last Cormorant on the Long Water was still fishing under the Italian Garden. I watched it for some time and it didn't catch anything.
The Great Crested Grebes are content with smaller fish, of which there is no shortage. One of the young ones at the bridge rested quitely beside its mother.
The baskets of water plants at the Triangle provide food for Mute Swans, Moorhens and Canada Geese.
The tall plant that seems to attract most interest is Gypsywort, so called because in the past travellers used to dye their skin brown with it to make themselves look like real Romany. Its botanical name Lycopus ('wolf's foot') europaeus seems inexplicable, as the leaves don't look in the least like a wolf's foot.
The Egyptian Goose pair at the Henry Moore sculpture were joined by a Magpie, and hostile glances were exchanged.
The fox by the Vista trotted out to collect some peanuts.
A tough Buff-Tailed Bumblebee in the Rose Garden resisted the increasing cold and was punching holes in baby sage flowers.
Yes, I find Jackdaws to be the same. They respect the space and have patience but still remind you that they are there waiting, unlike the Crows that rudely stop you in your path.
ReplyDeleteThe way GCGs snuggle into their chest like that is similar to when we have a warm cosy jumper on and bury our noses in it for comfort.
Sean
They're so furry, and perhaps their bigger size helps them conserve heat. All the bees are hiding now, and they still keep going.
ReplyDeleteTinúviel
I have read that buzzing keeps them warm. They are burning energy and it produces heat, and as long as they get sugar to burn they are warm enough. Of course the fur helps too, but not all that much as they are tiny.
Delete