Walk round the lake and visit to the Old English Garden in Battersea Park - 3rd September 2026

I began my walk by the lake where I came across these two grey/white pigeons - I don't normally take photographs of pigeons, but I had not seen any in this colourway before

There were not many ducks on the lake, apart from the usual Mallards and Coots, but this female Common Pochard was amongst them

There were some lovely berries on this shrub at the edge of the lake

A Jay was perching on a tree branch - unfortunately in a dark area so I had to lighten the picture

Pampas Grass in the sunlight near the lake

I saw a Willow Emerald damselfly perching on a stem

and a Speckled Wood butterfly on a leaf

and also a Common Darter dragonfly resting on railings

There were still some beautiful pink Roses in the Rose Garden

and some purple Verbena

Huge Cardoon plant with lots of seed heads in the Old English Garden

Waterlilies in the pond in the Old English Garden

I sat on a bench under the Wisteria and relaxed for a while looking at the pond and fountain

There were still a few flowers on the Wisteria

There was a fringed curtain of green algae hanging all round the fountain bowl

Huge seed head in the Old English Garden

Lemon Hollyhock flower

Another pretty Waterlily

and another view of the pond and fountain with the Cardoon plant in the background

Beautiful dark pink Hollyhock flower

Back in the main part of the park, I came across flowering Yucca plants

and some lovely orange berries

Back at the lake, there were two female Mallards - one blonde and one in normal colouring

A dog had entered the lake and disturbed the water birds - the Mute Swan hissed loudly at it!

 

Birds and Pelicans - including an adult feeding a chick - in St. James's Park on 21st August 2026

The first bird I came across during my walk in St. James's Park was this lovely Bar-headed goose

I found five of the six adult Great White Pelicans gathered together on a small piece of land near the bridge.  They were resting at first, then they started to move about.

Across the bridge and further along the park, all four young Pelican chicks were standing together in foliage at the edge of the lake

The chicks eventually were completely hidden in the foliage so I wandered further along the lake where I saw a Black and a Mute Swan swimming along together

The Mute Swan was quickly seen off by another swan and the Black Swan continued alone

An adult Great Crested Grebe was accompanied by a stripey chick

Barnacle goose feeding near the lake

I was sitting on a bench when three Great White Pelicans swam by. I got up and followed them.

The adults were heading towards the chicks, which were waiting at the edge of the lake

One adult landed and the other two swam off towards the nesting island at the end of the lake

A hungry chick was following and squawking at the adult

Two chicks were following the adult

but only one got fed - by sticking its beak down the adult's throat in order to get some regurgitated fish!

After being fed, the chick was chasing the adult as it wanted more food

which it got!  Looks as though the adult is eating the chick in these photos!

Peace restored after lunch with all four chicks standing on a log with the adult nearby

Later, there was wing-flapping exercise - though all four chicks have pinioned wings and can't fly

They are most amazing creatures - and only a few months old

All four chicks standing at the edge of the lake, with the adult in the centre

It was time to go home after the feeding session and I saw a Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser - both female - before I left the park