Regent’s Park
Grey Wagtail: a bird was feeding along the edge of the lake, so it looks as if they are nesting again somewhere close to the park. Normally the birds fly off down Baker Street.
Reed Warbler: 4 males appear to be on territories, but there could be more in areas not open to the public.
Reed Bunting: one seen in area 5, with luck the pair is still present.
Bushy Park
Unfortunately I have been pretty tied up with helping set things up for this years Oak Processionary Moth volunteers. I did however pop out early this morning, in the hope of finding something of interest. I failed, but did manage to stumble across a couple of birds of interest.
Little Egret: one was feeding on the outlet of the Longford River by Hampton Court Road.
Kinfisher: a pair were catching newts in one location.
Reed Warbler: a male was singing by the Longford River.
Comments
Grey Wagtail 1f: feeding on pavement in front of Boathouse Café, area 5 at 07.40.
Common Tern 2: pair over lake off area 5 at 07.40; seen together on lake fenceposts off area 9 at 08.40.
Pied Wagtail 1juv: on lakeshore and then fencepost, area 9 at 07.40.
No sign of Great Crested Grebes or Little Grebes in areas 13 or 14; instead, it's a coot's paradise! (A month or so ago, a pair of the Little Grebes were active at that end of the lake.)
Shrubby Cinquefoil in bloom near the Boathouse Café, area 5.
Hawthorn now in full bloom throughout the park; one tree 20m tall near the SW corner of the fenced-off square in area 40 looks particularly stunning. Here's hoping for a bountiful crop of berries to feed the blackbirds, song thrushes and redwings next winter.
Speaking of notable trees, my favourite oak in the park is the one with a spreading crown just inside the N entrance to Marylebone Green, area 20. (Dave tells me he found a migrant Wood Warbler singing from its branches one Spring - ah, those were the days...)
Feel free to nominate your own favourite tree in the park.
Bill
It is a shame that these birds cannot be seen by more members of the public. However if the public were allowed into this area then I doubt these birds and others like Common Buzzard, Reed Warbler and others would soon leave for pastures new.