BIRD NEWS: 905

 

Another shot of the egret ar West Witterings begins today's post. There were also some mute swans.

I took two shots of them.

I took pictures of some info boards. I find it difficult to absorb information when relaxing on a trip - much easier when I am home again to catch up on knowledge.

I tried to fit the entire set of boards in...

We saw several of these - curlew, redshank, etc.

There was a crow up in the treetops.

That was the end of that trip - the next one was to Petworth Park. There were Canada Geese on the lake.

HERE is some info about the variety of thrush family birds we get in winter.

BIRD NEWS: 904

 

My final photo from the Ardingly horse trials and show is of wagtails in the car park. There were around 6-7 of them flitting about.

Our next trip weas to Itchenor, from where we walked the coast to West Witterings for a beach picnic then returned. Along the way we spotted a little egret...

Actually, we spotted at least a dozen in our entire trip - but being the first, I took a couple of shots, thinking that we might not encounter much birdlife later on.

The above info board shows the egret - along with some of the other birdlife in the district.

And there is another little egret...

Then we spotted a curlew! We were not positive in our sighting til we heard it call, as neither of us had our noccies with us to see it close up.

Oh look - another egret.....

BIRD NEWS: 903

 

Recently a wood pigeon who has been injured has been coming to my sill - along with 4 other wood pigeons, including the one with the damaged beak which is now regrowing.

The newly injured one had a huge 'patch' on its abdomen which looked liked it had been jabbed/ripped by a sparrowhawk or cat. I am happy to say that now, 2-3 weeks later, it seems to have healed.

Our next excursion was to the Autumn show and horse trials at Ardingly, in September. As well as enjoying the horse jumping, dressage, and pony games, we saw some birds. There was a falconry display from Kent, for example.

I searched the poultry exhibit for pigeons...and found ducks and geese.

This second batch looked like a breed I had seen before in Arundel.

There were also some chooks - with feathery/hairy crests, bodies, etc.

I couldnt get good photos as people decided to stand in front of my camera.

BIRD NEWS: 902

 

Our welcoming committee paraded upon the rooftop of the entry area/shop.

We finally left for coffee/toilets before we wandered around the National Trust property. But there was no escape from peacocks - normal ones trekked the grounds.

I got a really good shot as one came up close to us and another family.

Apart from peacocks, we saw ducks, swans and the usual coots/moorhen/etc on the ponds.

That was that trip.

So let me finish today's post with some Naboo 2023.

BIRD NEWS: 901

 

Firstly, Naboo - then a map of where the hides are at the reserve.

Next, a grey wagtail...which we spotted in real life, but I cannot find on the picture. We also spotted a stonechat, but that was also invisible so I didn't share that picture.

We went for a walk outside the reserve and then returned and I finally spotted my show pigeon mates.

I took 2 pictures.

As we approached Sheffield Park - our next trip - I spotted some large birds on the roof.

Wow - peacocks!

I was surprised, as one was white, one darker than usual peacocks, one facing the other way - later on we saw two normal ones roaming the gardens, but this trio welcomed us on arrival.

BIRD NEWS: 900

 

Another wide sweep acorss the brooks - then an info board of some of the birds one sees from this hide, seasonally.

And some more....

and more....

Hopefully I got most of them in shot.

There is a heron in there someplace....

There he is!

Let us finish with another shot of Naboo - obstinately avoiding a good picture.

BIRD NEWS: 899

 

One more shot of cygnets and other birds on Swanbourne Lake, before we headed towards home. I tried to take a piccie of another owl I spotted in a shop window....

Before our next excursion, taken the last weekend in August, here is another of my stash of Naboo pics.

Our next trip was to Storrington and Pulborough Brooks. After coffee and 2 stores in Storrington, we went to the RSPB Reserve.

I took photos of the map this time.

Liz began looking for more walks we could do another trip.....

Here is an infoboard.

We saw Canada geese, Greylag, Teal, other ducks, gulls, and a grey heron.