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

 

Flowers and wildlife in Kew Gardens - 9th March 2025

I went for a walk in Kew Gardens during early March, where I saw this beautiful blossom

and Magnolia buds beginning to form

Jackdaw marching along in the sunshine

Lovely red flowers - I think that it may be Quince

Pretty white blossom

Orange Crown Imperials and Daffodils

More flower buds

Not sure, but I think this is Dogwood

Paperbush flowers

The Chinese Pagoda

Dragons decorating the Pagoda

Red Fox resting at the base of a tree

Mandarin drake on grass at the edge of the lake

White hybrid goose - I was told that it has been named "Bowie" by the locals

More signs of Spring by the lake

A second white hybrid goose - I don't know if this one has a name too!!

 

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!