The Great Crested Grebes on the Long Water have four chicks. I had only seen three before, but evidently the youngest and smallest was hidden under its parent's wings. Today they came quite close to the bridge, and all was clear. Here the two strongest chicks race for a fish brought by their father. He was catching a fair amount, and they were all fed in due course.

Meanwhile their nest on the fallen poplar, which started as a Coots' nest, was taken by the Great Crested Grebes, and briefly retaken by the Coots, was today occupied by a Mallard, though I think she just found it a convenient place to rest.

The elder brood of young grebes at the Serpentine island are growing up fast. Here one of them spreads his wings -- not yet large enough to fly, but soon they will be charging up and down the lake trying to get into the air. Even an adult needs a 50 yard run to become airborne, unless there is a stiff headwind to help its rather small wings get enough lift.

The two of them went off by themselves to try their skill at fishing. They didn't catch anything but a few bits of weed. A grebe's hunting skills take quite a while to develop, and they will probably need food from their parents for another month.

At last one of the young Coots in the Serpentine outflow has climbed up the ramp and made a public appearance. You could hardly describe this teenage bird as a chick any more. I am amazed that they stayed underground for so long.

The lake is beginning to get back to normal. The floating jetties have been dismantled and hauled ashore, the boat hire is in business again and geese are beginning to return. We are still waiting for the Mute Swan families to be brought home from their exile -- not an easy business catching six adults and fourteen cygnets.