Monthly Archives: May 2013
Leucistic Blackbird
Odd Ducks
I first noticed this pair of odd ducks in January, when they hung around with the congregation on the Spree. They always kept a bit to themselves at the very edge of the crowd. In March they moved over to a little pond in the Englischer Garten by the Teehaus, where they appear to be the only resident ducks. I assume that they are mallard hybrids, as they resemble these other examples fairly closely. They are most certainly a pair.
Juvenile Tree Sparrow?
I believe this is a juvenile tree sparrow, but it could be another species. Notice the yellow gape, the long claws, and the ragged tail feathers.
Birds in London: Mystery Duck
Birds in London: Greylag Geese
Birds in London: Starling Pool Party
Birds in London: Little Coots
Coot children look like something invented by Hieronymus Bosch. This is an advanced little coot, who can slurp up slime all by itself.
And this little coot still has his slime fed to him by his parents. He waits eagerly, a fuzzball of color in the dreary pond.
These coots are all residents of the Wandsworth Common.