BIRD NEWS:719

 

While the youngsters were waiting to be fed by mommy Pidge, they spent much time observing me as I observed them. Hopefully they too will get used to me as an oddity - a human thing that isnt to be flown away from.

Naptime!

Ready for the next meal now mom....

Seed is for sitting on - until mommy Pidge comes back and gets it into us!!

Liz and I took a trip to Southwater Country Park in July. Here we found moorhen walking cross pond lilies.

The mommy moorhen was faster than the youngsters.

We got an up close shot or two before moving onward.

HERE is some info on vultures.

BIRD NEWS:718

 

Baby Pidge and Bigbeak laze in the tree outside my bedroom window....

Doze, laze, doze.....nothing to do when Mommy Pidge feeds you but laze about.

Whatta beak! Its amazing how baby wood pigeons beaks and feet are gigantic in proportion to the rest of them - they have to grow into them!

They look kinda cute....but..... they are not finding it easy to eat yet. Bigbeak tried to eat for himself on my windowsil - but everytime he picked a seed or suet bar up it fell out his beak....

He gave up and returned to the tree and wing warped for Mommy to feed him! Maybe next week.....

They had to wait, but kept trying each day.

No worries - there is this comfy tree to wait upon!!

BIRD NEWS:717

 

Liz and I took a trip to Wakehurst Place. one of the first birds we spotted was this rather young pheasant family. First glance I thought they were partridge or grouse, as they had mottled coloring of youngsters, prior to the plainer coloring of teenage pheasants.

We did then spot a male pheasant with no tail - as it was moulting. So we knew they definitly were pheasants though.

We moved on to the two picnic overhangs, where they seasonally feed the birds. We set and were soon investigated by the wildlife - a male pheasant and squirrel both came to see if we had food.

Actually, we did, and no sooner had Liz deposited a few sunflower hearts in 3 spots, than were we visited by hungry birds....like this nuthatch.

The squirrel took over after a while, and the tray in front of us was also visited - by a young nuthatch, a shabby or young coal/march tit, then an adult nuthatch.....

I got a few shots, trying to capture all three visitors....

The adult nuthatch grabbed a seed, flew to a tree, ate the seed, then returned. at least one of them did this - while another shot in, stuffed their bill and vanished - assumedly to a nestfull of young.

BIRD NEWS:716

 

At first, Goggles had hidden from us - but then he strutted out for the camera.

As we progressed beyond our normal range, we passed an area with warning signs about ground nesting birds - skylarks, which we saw, lapwings, which we saw, grey partridge, which we saw, and corn bunting, which we may or may not have seen.

Above us a noise erupted....as something looking like a peregrine falcon chased away a buzzard....

We were trying to ascertain if that was what they were when they flew out of view and from the direction they had flown up came a lapwing.

I was so busy with my camera and thoughts, I was uncertain which pictures were of the peregrine and which the lapwing.....

There is a young pigeon in our yard - who is very lazy. Every time I look out the window, it is sitting daydreaming somewhere....in the tree, for instance.

The greenfinch is back....alas, despite being in good view and focus, the sunlight was so strong you cant see its bright yellowy green coloring!

BIRD NEWS:715

 

Next, we saw a pair of Egyptian geese with 2 babes and a coot.

They were in and around the nesting tray - as was the coot.

I took quite a few photos, as I dont often come across this breed.

Back home, and a young pigeon lazed atop the bird feeder pole.

It didnt come out very clearly though.

The next sighting, he was lazing on the path...

My final shot for this post is of the next trip, taken the first weekend in July 2022. Liz and I walked out thru Angmering Park estate and beyond into the countryside, first passing Goggles pond....

BIRD NEWS:714

 

This greenfinch finally got into a good position to capture on camera.

Next we spotted a young nuthatch, who also seemed happy to have its photo taken and posed pleasantly for me.

I managed to get some good shots in clear focus.

Next, along came a group of baby bluetits.

I took a few shots to make sure I got a clear one....or two.

My next photo depicts an egret, young heron, and flock of teal.

My next shot is of crested grebe, but it didnt come out well.