BIRD NEWS:410

A living example along with an information board description is good both for my memory of what species I have observed, and for readers wanting to know more than the characteristics I have spotted.

These photos take us to the end of my WWT visit, but not my excursion to Arundel as a whole. I still had to make my way from the WWT center to the bus stop, and in doing so, having plenty of energy after my 3 hour visit, I decided to hike around Swanbourne Lake.

Long term readers may be expected inelegant goose shots, but on this occasion the species was not spotted. I slowly rambled around, taking almost an hour and scrambling up some of the steep chalky side paths. As I neared the end of the circular stroll, I came across a pair of mallards snoozing on a dipped tree.

Back home, and the little blackbird I rescued from the ground the day before was sitting safely in the makeshift flower-pot nest, still alive. I am happy to report that it is now 2 days later, and he is still sitting in the flower pot safe and sound. I am assuming it has been fed, as it did not chirp for food, or seem concerned to see me and is still very much awake. Its beak seems to have taken on a better shape, also.

I have obviously spent some time looking out over the yard, assuring any black furballs are chased out directly, prior to discovering the flower pot-nest. While doing so, I spotted a pair of collared doves in the tall trees at the end of our yard. They seemed to be investigating the possibility of moving in. So, we may have doves in the garden again this year. Currently I can hear squeaks in the pittisporum that sound like young wood pigeons - we have the blackbirds youngster and real nest a young wren, the bluetits seemed to have fledged, and another pair of blackbirds appear to be gathering nesting material...