I took a walk/drive through Bushy Park this morning and was once again fortunate to be taken to some of the non-public areas. In addition to the species below, I saw Cetti's Warblers, a Buzzard and Green Woodpeckers. We also heard a Pheasant and some fox cubs.
Skylark
There were quite a few Skylarks, both on the ground and in flight. Almost forgot, there were also several Meadow Pipits, but none that I was able to photograph...
The Odd Couple. Apparently the Coot built the first nest and this was 'annexed' by the Mute Swan. The Coot has subsequently added an extension and the pair of them now share a super sized nest!
There were dozens of Rabbits in the park, including this youngster.
We then went into the non-public area where there are several sheets of corrugated metal and roof felt in the grassy areas. These can attract a variety of wildlife, as I was to discover.
A Common Toad was hiding under this one
Under the next one we found a Grass Snake
This Broad Bodied Chaser was still moist and seemed to have just 'hatched' if that is the correct term
Male Reed Bunting
Several of the corrugated sheets were giving shelter to large colonies of ants
Partly hidden Reed Warbler. We counted five males in all and saw two females
'Bottoms Up!' from a Whitethroat
Female Banded Demoiselle
and the Male
Who's a pretty boy?
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
I haven't seen (or heard) the Cettis there - must go again sometime. Nice Skylark pics :-)
"Let loose the Kraken!"
Great set of pics, it's especially nice to see Skylarks doing well so near to London.
I'd say 'emerged' rather than hatched :) The word for freshly emerged Odonata is 'teneral' - you can usually tell that they are teneral because their eyes are pale and milky-looking, without the spots/markings they develop when mature. Also their wings are very shiny, and in some cases their body colours are paler than when mature.
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Great photos MC, the coot & swan certainly look unlikely bedfellows!!
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
Great thread and photos Paul; love the Skylarks and the pretty demoiselles. Good to know the Cetti's were around :) Interesting info from Aiki too, as they say, you learn something new every day lol
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Regards, Hazel
Thanks all. It was interesting to see the Chaser and the Demoiselles, especially as I was with someone who knew what they were and identified them for me. As for the Cetti's Warblers, they are in the private area at the West of the park. One of them was chasing a Robin at one point (which naturally got my attention!). The many Skylarks are out in the open park in a designated area which is marked out for their nesting. This is South of the Oval Plantation.
There were also Fallow and Red Deer in large numbers, including a white hart. Once the foliage grows and thickens, the females will start to have their young.
It just shows what great habitats these parks provide for wildlife. I've got some relatives who live within walking distance of Bushey. When visiting I was astonished to see Skylarks. Wish I had them closer to my home.
Great set of pics.
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Tony
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