<P> The park has a small lake , St James 's Park Lake , with two islands , West Island , and Duck Island , named for the lake 's collection of waterfowl . A resident colony of pelicans has been a feature of the park since pelicans were donated by a Russian ambassador in 1664 to Charles II . While most of the time the wings are clipped , there is a pelican who can be seen flying to the London Zoo in hopes of another meal . The Blue Bridge across the lake affords a view west towards Buckingham Palace framed by trees . Looking east the view includes the Swire Fountain to the north of Duck Island and , past the lake , the grounds of Horse Guards Parade , with Horse Guards , the Old War Office and Whitehall Court behind . To the south of Duck Island is the Tiffany Fountain on Pelican Rock , and past the lake is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office , with the London Eye , the Shell Tower , and the Shard behind . The park has a children 's playground including a large sandpit . </P>
<P> The park has a small lake , St James 's Park Lake , with two islands , West Island , and Duck Island , named for the lake 's collection of waterfowl . A resident colony of pelicans has been a feature of the park since pelicans were donated by a Russian ambassador in 1664 to Charles II . While most of the time the wings are clipped , there is a pelican who can be seen flying to the London Zoo in hopes of another meal . The Blue Bridge across the lake affords a view west towards Buckingham Palace framed by trees . Looking east the view includes the Swire Fountain to the north of Duck Island and , past the lake , the grounds of Horse Guards Parade , with Horse Guards , the Old War Office and Whitehall Court behind . To the south of Duck Island is the Tiffany Fountain on Pelican Rock , and past the lake is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office , with the London Eye , the Shell Tower , and the Shard behind . The park has a children 's playground including a large sandpit . </P>
where did the pelicans in st james park come from
where did the pelicans in st james park come from
donated by a Russian ambassador in 1664 to Charles II
donated by a Russian ambassador in 1664 to Charles II