BIRD NEWS: 962

 

Our next day out started in Littlehampton, where we spotted a family of mute swans lazing beside the old oyster pond

We got closer....

Our next stop was a brief call in at WWT Arundel. The male pelicans were preening and the females lazing.

There were a pair of mute swans hiding in the undergrowth by the side of one lake. They now have a viewing platform over the reedbeds instead of a hide. Here is what you an apparently spot.

Next up, Mr & Mrs Silvertag Bewick.

Remember, the female birds have their tags on their right leg and the males on their left

Alas, too far away to see by camera, there is a peregrine falcon perched on a tree branch up on the hangar.

And finally a link to an article about the success of one species we have seen a lot of over the past few years HERE. 

BIRD NEWS: 961

 

Our next trip was to Sheffield Park. There were plenty of birds on the lake, though most were Canada geese.

There was a white peacock in the tree.....unusual.

There were a few ducks on the pond. That was that trip, which was mostly autumn colors not birds.

Next. we went to Nymans.

There was a magpie on the fence.

Back home, I counted a flock of 25 pigeons on a neighbors roof

Only 1-2 white show pigeon, mostly city pigeons, but still pigeons!

BIRD NEWS: 960

 

Here is an enlarged shot of the greater and lesser egret for comparison. That concludes our trip to WWT Arundel. Next, we visited the Amberley Museum. Here is an info-board mentioning that word I like – PIGEON!

Our next excursion was to Warnham nature reserve. We found some cormorants and gulls on the main lake as we entered.

In the main hide we spotted.....wood pigeon.

Also, greenfinch.

You might also notice apples.....stuck onto the trees and left on the ground. They were put there for the birds to eat, but we have no idea where they came from originally, as they didn't have apple trees on the reserve that we could see.

The wood pigeons were still there...one of which was strange. I was wondering if it might be a stock dove – but perhaps it was just a youngster without proper markings yet.

Then we found a magpie....with rough patches in its feathering.