Thursday 13 June 2013

The Great Crested Grebes who lost their nest under the willow tree near the bridge have taken a while to get started again. Their original nest was taken over by Coots, and a second nest under a nearby oak tree was also deserted and has been taken by Coots. But it looks as if they mean it this time.


This nest can be seen from the bridge, so if it goes ahead we shall get a view. Like most grebe nests it is a primitive and soggy structure, but they were busily adding more algae and twigs to it so it may be a bit higher and drier tomorrow. They were also snarling at the neighbouring coots and pulling out bits from their nests under water -- a favourite grebe game. It is clear that they have had enough of Coots.

The grebe nest attached to the netting near the Diana landing stage is also occupied again. This has been an on-off affair, and I don't know whether they are serious.

There are now several broods of Coot chicks uttering plaintive mewing cries. This one's parent has given it something to eat, but I don't know what it is -- it looks more like a bit of twig than food.


There is another brood of four Egyptian Geese on the Serpentine. Their mother is taking them around the lake honking noisily, and is attracting plenty of attention and bread.


Some low-caste Mute Swans had strayed on to the Long Water, and were driven out ferociously by the resident male. This victim is only a year old, and is not fully white yet, so it has no status and is obliged to flee.


Having cygnets has worsened the dominant male's already bad temper. He hardly visits his mate at all, and spends most of his time halfway up the Long Water looking for swans coming under the bridge so that he can start a fight.

There were a lot of Swifts over the Round Pond as well as the Serpentine. The growth of algae brought on by the recent few warm days is full of insects, and the green patches have all kinds of insect-eating birds swooping over them.

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