UK Wildlife Blog

There was plenty other other things to see today as well. A pair of moorhens have hatched some chicks, although they've lead them into one of the wildfowl collections, which they won't be able to get out of until they can fly - but there planty of land a cover for them there, along with the food, so they should be fine.
Also in the (western) wildfowl collection area was this balki teal

The kestrel nest box looks like it will be occupied this year, with this pair hanging around it recently
hers the male on its own
and the female

There not the only ones nesting. A pair of great crested grebes appear to be nest building as well
This guy was all on his own thou

The blackbirds in the wildlife garden were nest building also: Here is the female collecting nest material
while the male has a drink

This greylag was walking around like it owned the place, even giving me a threat display!

There were a number of large juvenile gulls, I think they were most Herring gull juveniles. This guy ran across the path in front of me
While this one picked at...erm...I dread to think!

I also found a cooperative JAy, possibly the same one Ive photographed here before (it was in about the same area). It stayed in a tree above me for a good 5-10mins calling softly

Also I saw my first Ruddy duck in Regents Park, here is the male
and the two females that were following him

And then the highlight of the day (apart from finshing my exams!!!) I was walking out along where I see the relatively confiding mistle thrush pair mentioned in previous posts. Then one wizzed past and landed in a tree, posed for a bit before landing next to some bread someone had put down. It then proceded to display and chase off any pigeons that came near. But what happened next caugght me by surprise. I got a bit to close and it flew off into a tree, so I decided to call it a day. A magpie then landed on the path in front of me - then one of the mistle thrushes swooped down and hit it at full speed! It was attacked a few times by both, resulting in feathers flying. Im guessing they now have a nest with young or eggs and were protecting it. The magpie hung around for a bit with the thrushes displaying andd calling at it. They were so preoccupied I could get in close - this is an uncropped photo, of it fluffed up and calling at the magpie
The bad news is the best photo I got was this
The good news is the reason for that is I was videoing the good bits! But I need to edit, upload to you tube and get it approved yet - so that will appear soon