Richmond Park
Another day locating and extracting OPM nests. As the day had dawned bright and sunny I popped down to Pen Ponds briefly to see what was making the most of these conditions. A few photos tell you something of what was present in the area.
Several Red Deer swam from one side to the other, one was feeding on the island.
Swifts were busy catching insects and there low level approach made them at times really difficult to photograph.
Up to 3 adult terns were fishing on the lakes, though one wasn’t welcomed by the pair who were catching food for their 2 chicks.
Male Mandarin in eclipse plumage
Talking to Jan at lunchtime he said how bad this year had been for waterfowl productivity. This is the first Pochard brood, which is 50% Pochard and 50% Mallard.
Oak Processionary Moth
Black Arches Moth and possibly caterpillar
Comments
Lovely photos as usual.
Linda Ashken
I couldn't resist the early morning sunshine.
Black-headed Gull (1 juvenile - the first I've seen this summer - feeding with two adults in Open Spaces near area 35 at 10:35). App. 30 adults in total in the Park.
Common Tern 1 (fishing off area 1 at 10:15).
Reed Warbler 1 (male singing in area-2 reed bed at 10:10).
Chiffchaff 1 (male singing in grounds of The Holme near Inner Circle at 11:35).