BIRD NEWS:102

It drank, and drank, and drank! Meanwhile, a duck joined it whilst its brothers waddled down the road outside the lake-park and the other birds vegetated peacefully. As I prepared to leave the park after 5-10 minutes to slowly make my way back to town and see if the festivities had 'begun' properly as yet, the geese were still hanging about the gates to greet visitors to their home.

I took a last sweep round with the camera, as I walked away... and left the lake to head back along the moat, my camera not in its case for more than 1-2 minutes as I ambled along.

On my way back, I caught more action in the moat - such as this duck preening itself whilst standing on a pipe - possibly a sewer pipe - hmm, royal pee n poop anyone?

It was getting a little darker now as the clouds began to gather strongly, although it was not yet evening darkness causing the dimness of my next photo - spotting a pair of pigeons in a tree, I just had to take a picture, didn't I!

BIRD NEWS:101 & links

One of the geese was staring at me and allowed me to go right up to it for photos, while another goose was taking a gargle-drink out from a puddle. Meanwhile, the other birds were relaxing and not at all bothered my my presence, which was pleasant for me. It appears that Arundel must be the place to come for friendly birds, for the Angmering ones are quite untamed in comparison, despite my feeding them regularly and their knowing so.

The duck was dozing while the coot nibbled. The gulls gathered round hopefully, and what look like jackdaws - but might not be as I did not get close enough to see their eyes - were hanging out with their waterfowl cousins. Of course, it being the start of winter, the boats were safely locked up and the kiosk shut - no ice creams or chilled soda to buy or row boats for hire today! Luckily, that was not my visits purpose; the birds were and there were plenty of them!

That one goose was still drinking in gargle fashion at the puddle a few minutes later...

Over 78,000 winged visitors in Pong Dam lake this year - find out more HERE.

HEREis the link to the 2016 RSPB birdwatch.

BIRD NEWS:100

What a collection of birds I saw as I peeped over the fence on approach - geese, ducks, coots - and out of sight - swans, moorhens, seagulls, 'big black birds' and more! The geese were greeting me warmly, as I walked towards their gate, making me feel at home.

I seemed to be quite popular among these geese - although I did not bring any food with me.

I had traveled fairly light, expecting the beer van to be present. I hasten to add that I had planned to buy a pair of Christmas themed beers for my son, who had requested beer to be his Christmas gift. Alas, said beer van was not present this year, although it had been on the two former occasions that I had gone along. I don't know if I should take a sack of bird seed or travel light next year, now...

BIRD NEWS:99

The coot and moorhens were still munching casually as I lazily wandered along the moatside path. The coot then swam across the moat, forbidding me to take a close-up shot of it.

But I managed a shot of the moorhen, who was already on the other side, before walking even further alongside the moat towards my goal. On arrival, I took a photograph to demonstrate the purpose of my visit - the abundance of birdlife. I realized my blog has been rather thin of late, due to not going out much and the local guys having been autumnally absent. I wanted photos, and photos I got!

As I walked alongside the lake, the above pair of shots were taken, as I rounded the corner towards the gates, I was greeted by a group of geese. What a pleasant welcome!

BIRD NEWS:98

Refreshing regular readers' minds, I took multiple wildfowl shots on a recent trip to Arundel when attending a Christmas celebration in town. The birds were of more interest than Christmas to me, as I am sure you can tell my the abundance of pictures.

Next along the moat walk I spotted a coot and a moorhen hanging out together, chewing grass. There were some ducks behind them too, swimming about in the moat.

A brief flash back to the yard at home - winter is now in situ and although we have only had 2-3 very cold days and one severe frost as yet, it is cold enough for the birds to once again start to recall that catching my attention means food might be given to them.

I have noticed that Curio and Mr Black are instantly in situ whenever I open the bedroom window - they must have learned to listen out for the sound of that window opening!!

BIRD NEWS:97

The ducks swam past slowly, taking their time also. They nibbled here, swum there, pecked here and stared there. Meanwhile, I slowly pottered along the road with my camera out of the pouch as much as in.

I was none too happy to see plastic bags in the moat. If they had been this side, I might have scooped them out. If I had gum boots on, I might have tried to, too!

The group swam past. My next encounter was with the tail-enders...

...that did not seem in any hurry at all.

BIRD NEWS:96

There were a pair of ducks alongside the moorhen that I was photographing that also got in the camera-shot. I walked along little further. Next up, a group of ducks came swimming along in a line for the entertainment of my camera and I.

I had arrived in Arundel at around 12-30pm and the festivities ran from noon thru 7, with me intending to stay til between 5 and 6pm. Eating roast chestnuts, listening to carols, strolling the streets and drinking mulled wine would not take up the entire time, so I had plenty of time to wander along the moat towards the lake, camera in hand. I was in no rush at all...

BIRD NEWS:95 & video

Yes! This shot shows clearly that we now have THREE doves in situ, hopefully for the entire winter season and beyond. Ditty and partner must have a youngster still with them!

Regular readers may recall that last year I attended the 'Arundel by Candlelight' Christmas do and posted a few pictures afterwards. This year, I went along for the third time. My first half hour was taken up walking along the road beside the moat taking pictures as I strolled along towards and into Swanborne Lake.

As you can see the first group I encountered were a swan, some cygnets, and a group, of ducks. I lingered around taking photos for a while, before wandering a little further along the moat.

Oh look - a moorhen! Yes, as I wandered along a short distance further, sure enough a moorhen was pecking at the grass on the moat-side.

Finally - a sweet video - HERE.