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

 

Birds and flowers in St. James's Park, London - 4th July 2026

I set off for a walk round the lake in St. James's Park where I encountered large fluffy juvenile cygnets

resting with a parent Mute Swan on the muddy bank

Nene (Hawaiian goose) pulling up greenery from the lake

Lovely wildflowers planted at the edge of the lake

in front of the fountain and near tropical banana palms

Large group of cute fluffy little Mallard ducklings on their own in the centre of the lake

Barnacle goose marching along the edge of the lake right in front of me

Blonde Egyptian goose and partner

and juveniles

Two Bar-headed geese were very sensibly sitting in the shade

Blonde female Mallard

Not a good idea to go for a walk in the park on a hot Saturday afternoon!

Great White Pelican fishing in the lake

White hybrid goose

eating berry or seed of some sort

Cute baby Mallard duckling

Female Tufted ducks with a fairly neat line of fluffy little babies

Large patch of beautiful wildflowers

 

Short walk along Nottingham canal and damselflies, birds and flowers in Attenborough Nature Reserve - 26th and 27th May 2026

I travelled to Nottingham with a few friends for a three-night stay towards the end of May

After checking into the hotel, we wandered along the Nottingham canal

This boat had been on fire and was sinking at the side of the canal

Strange bird on one of the canal boats

The next morning we got a bus to the Attenborough nature reserve, where a power station could be seen at the other side of the main lake

There were lots of damselflies in the reserve - here are several Blue-tailed damselflies

and a pair of mating Common damselflies

and a male Banded Demoiselle

A pair of Tufted ducks could be seen on the main lake

Further round the reserve, we came across several Painted Lady butterflies

A Great Crested Grebe was sitting on a nest at the edge of one of the little islands in the lake

Female Banded Demoiselle damselfly on leaves in front of one of the bird hides

Two female Banded Demoiselles

Little Egret standing in shallow water at the edge of the lake

Silver-ground Carpet moth on a leaf at the edge of one of the paths in the reserve

Rear view of a Great Crested Grebe

Another Great Crested Grebe on a nest in the middle of the lake

and a Great Crested Grebe on a nest near the Visitor Centre - with a helpful nest-building mate!

Lovely Water Irises in front of the Visitor Centre

and Water Lilies at the back of the Visitor Centre

Common Terns were perching on a Tern Raft on the lake

Female Mallard with seven small ducklings on the pond near Attenborough village

Mauve Rhododendrons in front of Attenborough church

Beautiful flowers in a front garden in Attenborough village