Earlier on today, I sent an email to the Wildlife Officer for Bushy Park commending him for the precautions he has taken to safeguard the Mute Swan parents.
By the afternoon, I couldn't resist any longer and had to go to Bushy Park to find out how many cygnets the pair of swans have had. Well I definitely found out. I took so many pictures and I'm still processing them, so they won't be ready to post until sometime tomorrow.
However, they were not the only point of interest today. As I drove over Hampton Court Bridge to get to the park, the calls of the Swifts announced their arrival - there were about 3 - 4. Couldn't tell exactly - I was driving at the time!!
A Grey Heron was intent upon finding a meal - which it did very successfully; it was dining off tadpoles of which there were hundreds!
I'd been taking pictures of the cygnets etc. and turned round to find this Fallow Deer buck. Now what I don't know (and need to find out) is whether the two protuberances on his head and the remains of last year's antlers or the new growth of this - I'm inclined towards the latter!
The inevitable Egyptian Goose flew over the pond
And I saw (for me) the first Red Crested Pochard family
That's all for now. I must get something to eat!!
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16 comments:
nice heron pics
I just posted on BBF Tricia, saw my first Swifts here today too. Welcome sight, well would be if we had some nice summer weather to go with it.
Wonderful pictures of the heron. My guess is that the antlers are new ones, growing.
Cracking set of pictures Tricia.
The Heron shots are excellent, especially the beak that's just dipped into the water.
A Red Crested Pochard family is something I've never seen before; just a lone male on my local last year. Nice one.
Thanks Pete :)
Jan - I couldn't agree more about the weather!
Greenfingers - welcome and good to see you here. Thanks for the kind comments. I'm inclined to agree with you. I think they would have lost the old antlers a few weeks ago.
I really like your world "in miniature".
Keith - thank you - it was totally ignoring me it was so intent on fishing or "tadpoling"!
They bred in Bushy last year but I don't know how many broods there were. There are many RC Pochards about on the ponds there.
Lovely shots of the Heron. Good to see so many chicks around at the moment although predation from various sources will take their toll. FAB
P.S. You are correct - New antlers.
Thanks Frank. Predation only too likely at Bushy. I've heard from two different people that the Bushy rat is back and visible. Hey ho!
Awesome heron pics Tricia!
Really excellent Heron series.
I've noticed with the garden birds that they are so intent in getting all the food they need for themselves and their broods that they notice me less.
Janine - thanks - it was a very obliging Heron.
John - thank you. I haven't got any garden youngsters yet, but I know what you mean though.
The shots of the Red Crested Pochard family a very nice find indeed Tricia. I have never seen young of that species.
One word.
Brilliant.
John.
Hi Roy - I think we're lucky to have them breeding here.
John - Wow - thank you!
Great photos, Loved the Heron ones.
What more can I say, just fantasic shots
Debbie :o)
Jan - thanks - the Heron was a gift to photograph!
Debbie - Hi! and thank you for lovely comment!
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