Grebes - Black-necked and Great Crested - and other wildlife at Walthamstow Wetlands - 26th April 2024

I went for a walk round Walthamstow Wetlands on 26th April and was so happy to have seen a pair of Black-necked Grebes on Lockwood reservoir while there.  I am so lucky to hold a birdwatching permit as the Grebes were situated on the far side of the reservoir that is not accessible to the general public.

Black-necked Grebe in summer breeding plumage

For comparison here is a Great Crested Grebe

Pair of Black-necked Grebes in the foreground and Great Crested Grebe in the background

Closer views of the magnificent Black-necked Grebes

There was lots of other interest around including this Starling with a beakful of something

Hybrid Greylag/Domestic goose?

Little Egret

Greylag goose with a bunch of tiny fluffy goslings

Dad Greylag staring at me as I tried to photograph his goslings

This gosling decided to hide on mum's back

Pair of Canada geese with two tiny yellow goslings

Feed me!  Feed me!  Hungry juvenile Great Crested Grebe

and with a parent

Parent Great Crested Grebe with a fish

Foxing skulking in the long grass

Canada goose followed by four goslings

Another photograph of the wonderful Black-necked Grebe!

Birds and flowers in Battersea Park - 25th April 2024

Favourite colourful Mandarin drakes seen during another great walk round Battersea Park

Beautiful white Rhododendron near the path at the edge of the lake

Flowering tree - also by the lake

Orange blossom at the edge of the path

Pair of Egyptian geese with their young goslings

Colourful planting in one of the small flowerbeds

Wonderful dark pink and white Rhododendrons near the sub-tropical garden

Young Magpie perching on a railing

Carrion Crow sunning its wings in a small flowerbed

Beautiful Tulips and Pansies in a flowerbed near the riverside part of the park

The Wisteria on the pergola in the Old English Garden was in full flowering mode

I sat down on a bench near the Wisteria and was joined by an inquisitive pair of Mallards

There were lots of pretty flowers in the Old English Garden