BIRD NEWS:109

This swan did a Naboo when spotting my camera! It was getting dark again because of the clouds as I passed the castle entry on my way back to town for the third time. But it was not too dark to spot a dove, or for the dove to spot me and my lil pink box!

This burst of heavy clouds only lasted a short while and turning towards the lake, but not moving in that direction, I caught the swan on camera a few more times...

... before finally heading back into town to join the now amassed crowd for Christmas festivities.

BIRD NEWS:108

A pair of ducks were quite tame and friendly, coming up towards me - though I am sure a pink metal box is not 'food' in their eyes. They soon got fed up of me however, and returned to their group in the moat. As I said in my last post, I then went back to town again for the second cup of wine...

After another wander about town, I returned yet again to the moat, this time spotting a swan to photograph...

...and a duck.

Catching up back home, Mr Black and Curio are still around - but the other pair of blackbirds may have to find a new home - the shed roof covered in ivy above upon the wall next to my prickly tree is no longer there. Thankfully my tree is on my side of the fence and remains in situ for the birds liking the yellow berries, but alas the second pair of blackbirds' home is now GONE!

Mr Bob has been seen, but not as much as usual for this time of year - and I am thankful he chose my ivy covered washing pole as his home - but poor Beatie will have no nesting box for 2016. Hopefully she will like somewhere in MY yard. I have one side of house and 2 sides of nature left.

BIRD NEWS:107

Yet another statue bird was in situ in a shop window, as I progressed on a foot-tour of town. I then sat down and munched my way through a couple bags hot roast chestnuts and sipped some warm mulled wine, before deciding to potter off along the moat - again...

After all, birds are more interesting than antique shops and Christmas celebrations really - well, to me. Sure enough the ducks were still in situ back at the moat and willing to have more photos taken.

Some of these photos came out blurry - as the ducks were moving a lot more this time - not that I had had a glass mulled wine! After taking a few more shots, I returned into town and had a second cup of wine, though.

BIRD NEWS:106

As I approached the town again, there was a fork in the moat and a pair of coots were rummaging about in the muddy waters there - more camera fodder for me!

I arrived back in town and wandered around for a little while, listening to carols, a rock band, muppets, and Bing Crosby playing/singing in various locations. As on the two previous occasions that I had also attended this event, I managed to find some still life birds to photograph in addition to the multiple waterfowl (and pigeons) already spotted - as well as plenty of mulled wine and roast chestnuts.

In this window alone, you can see 7-8 statue birds! I decided to return later, but ventured onward to collect a few more shots of statue birds to share. Oh look - a pigeon or dove - must take a piccie!!

No, that last one is not a statue - its a close-up shot of one of the geese I forgot to include in an earlier post!

BIRD NEWS:105 & links

The swans continued to flow and float along gracefully - as did the duck that had joined them instead of hanging with its own kind. I got a few close up shots as some of the 'elderly cygnets' passed by...

... and of the duck.

Whether they were slow or I was fast, I do not know, but they seemed to give me ample opportunity for picture-taking as the gang traveled towards the lake I had left.

I headed on past the last and made my way back towards town. Unlike last year, I did not get any photos of the 'big black birds' in town, primarily because the trees they had previously hung out in/around had been clipped. However, this is not the last of the feathered activity on my Arundel trip!

HERE is a link to an article about a rare bird.

& HERE is a link to more information about this bird.

BIRD NEWS:104 and a colorful bird video

As promised, the swans continued to pass by....but I have news to share from my home yard before continuing with the Arundel birdlife. I mentioned several posts ago about the next door neighbor passing away and the council gutting the yard. I also shared a few photos of what became of the fence the other side and the shed/bird equipment.

On my return from Arundel, it was too dark to see the damage done, but I knew the council had been back to do the fence down my side whilst I was out, as I had seen and heard them begin before I left home. Putting the kitchen light on to make coffee at 6am, I could see bare fence a little way along, so I knew it would not be good news.

Here are the 'before' and 'after' shots of the shared fence - before being sparrow nesting habitat and after being bare wire fence...

...not a pleasant experience for myself or the multiple yard birds. I hope they do not think that any more damage to their home will occur MY side! I put out sultanas for them to make up for those official humans causing damage to their habitat.

Let us now get back to happier matters - and those swans, trailing along after parent swan serenely!

Check HERE for a colorful video!

BIRD NEWS:103

In fact, as I walked back to town, I spotted a few more pigeons sitting in a few more trees...

The clouds looked a bit lighter after a few minutes, but they did not regain their earlier thinness. As I got closer to the town center, I passed a troupe of swans gliding past - parent swan and a gang of littlies - well, teenage littlies.

There were a pair of ducks ahead - and one in the swan line-up too! I took some close up shots as they passed by.

I will jump back home to the yard to talk in my next post - but the line of swans will continue as well!!

Meanwhile, in Australia - the count is in - HERE.