Central London Wildlife

We were in London today, enjoying the late autumn sunshine in Regent's Park. The park is renowned for its water fowl, but however often I visit (and it may become a slightly more regular haunt) I still find the juxtaposition of London's human masses with such a variety of wildlife disconcerting. That said, the first creature featured today is an inevitable companion of human development. It's also the first time I've had the opportunity to feature one on the blog. Mrs W spotted it running along the path as we entered the park. She was not persuaded by my protestations that it was a squirrel with mange :whistle:
Rat by the water side

The rodent trotted by and then diverted to the water…

And just so there's no doubt (about the mangy squirrel idea), here's a typical park squirrel!

The most spectacular of the water birds are the herons, which lurk around the edge of the lakes.
Adult heron

Juvenile heron

There are also numerous species of geese, including the elegant egyptian goose.

And the bar-headed goose…

And to my surprise, Egyptian goslings (these seem very late in the season!)

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS lens.

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. SittingFox

    8 Oct 2010

    Rats (sorry, "squirrels with mange" :whistle:) are actually quite hard to photograph!

    It does seem late in the year for goslings. I always enjoy seeing bar-headed geese and that juvenile heron shot is great! :up:

  2. Dudley

    8 Oct 2010

    Nice variety … rat & squirrel = 😆

  3. raniakasim

    8 Oct 2010

    the first thing she saw was a rat ,poor Mrs.W.:sst:
    thanks words for sharing

  4. gdare

    8 Oct 2010

    That rat is a good swimmer, I can tell 😆
    Is egyptian goose on vacation in London, along with family? 😛

  5. Words

    9 Oct 2010

    Rania, thanks.

  6. Words

    9 Oct 2010

    Erwin, thanks!

  7. Words

    9 Oct 2010

    Adele, I think I was more pleased with the rat than anything else. The squirrels are very pesky though. I'm more used to seeing them in wooded areas where they are very shy. Park squirrels are a whole different species to my mind!

  8. Words

    9 Oct 2010

    Andy, thanks!

  9. Words

    9 Oct 2010

    Darko, the rat was a great swimmer. Very quick, and I liked the way it keeps its head up high.

  10. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Interesting the rats but still lovely Pict 😀 :up:

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