Four Great White Pelican chicks and flowers in St. James's Park - 6th August 2026

I visited St. James's Park again in the hope of seeing the Great White Pelican chicks on the island

Three of them were still hiding there - one was stretching out towards the water 

It moved to a more visible position, blending in well with the shade and background - though with considerably lighter-coloured feathers than a few weeks ago

There was some sparring going in with a sibling

Chick and a parent standing at the edge of the island with their heads hidden by greenery

There were two adults on the island and one decided it was time to leave

The other stood next to a chick that was hidden by leaves before it too decided to leave the island

Three sets of young legs!

Two of the Pelican chicks were flapping away under the tree

I then walked to Pelican Rock, at the other end of the island, where the fourth chick was sitting in the sun with some adults

One adult was swimming near the rock

There were three adult Great White Pelicans on the rock with the chick and a Cormorant

They were then joined by the swimming Pelican

Pretty Eucomis/Pineapple Lilies in the flowerbed near Horseguards Parade

Waterfall by the flowerbed

Close view of the Water Lily in the pond at the bottom of the waterfall

Lovely orange Dahlias in the sunshine

Great show of yellow Rudbeckia flowers

Striking stripey Gazania flowers

Cabbage White butterfly on Verbena

I then went back to the Pelican island, but there were no Pelicans there

I found them on the other side, at the edge of the lake, when I walked further along the path.  

Adult and a youngster

Hard to believe that these monsters are only about three months old!

They are same size or larger than mum!

Preening time

Showing off time - though a wing has been pinioned so the bird can't fly

You looking at me?

They certainly like looking after their feathers

Snapping at some nearby pigeons!

Three synchronised chicks

Sparring partners

A pigeon flies safely past the three huge Pelican chicks

My visit to the park turned out to be a Pelican fest!

 

Birds, including juvenile Great White Pelican chicks, in St. James's Park - 19th July 2026

I visited St. James's Park again hoping to see the new Pelican chicks as I walked round the lake

I saw a pair of Mute Swans with three juvenile cygnets from the bridge across the lake

Then I encountered one of the adult Great White Pelicans walking along a path at the edge of the grass

Further round the lake, I came across some pretty mauve Agapanthus flowers

a White Agapanthus flower

Beautiful red Roses

and some very pretty pink and pale orange Roses

Great Crested Grebe getting ready to dive

Black Swan sailing along the lake

At last, a view of two of the Pelican chicks standing near an adult under a tree on the island 

Grey Heron standing in front of tall wildflowers on the other side of the lake

Grey Squirrel sitting on a log

Lonely Giant Sunflower at the edge of a patch of wildflowers

I wandered back to the area near Pelican island

One of the Pelican chicks was at the edge of the lake.  The other three chicks and five adults were hidden in the shrubbery on the island.  I will have to try again another time!

The Pelican that I had seen earlier when I first began my walk was now on the path in front of the island where the chicks and other adults were sheltering and was wondering what all the fuss was about!

When I got back to the area where I first started the walk, I saw the Mute Swan family on land

Group of Mallard ducklings and adults in the water by the bridge