BIRD NEWS:456

I looked - but as on the last few visits, only one parent Bewick swan was present. I have only just learned via email how the missing partner vanished - ages after writing the post.

I made my way along the last stretch towards the lapwing hide, passing the Red breasted geese along with a couple of other birds. I also passed the half dozen Emperor geese.

Birds I saw but did not capture on camera include a pair of lapwings, as they were too far from the hide to get a shot - though I was able to observe them via the noccies. On my way to WWT, I spotted a thrush and an egret - but both flew away before I could get the camera ready.

My next two shots were taken at Southwater Country Park, where Liz & I came across some birds that were too big to be crows or rooks, and were possibly some form of waterbird - indeed, when observing the pictures on the computer after our trip, I think we found a treefull of cormorants!

January 2019 continued, and I spotted our wren hopping about the stone slabs near the frog pond - out came my camera!

BIRD NEWS:455

The Trumpeters were as curious about me as I was of them, as often is the case with the swans at Arundel. By the time I exited the nearby hide however, they had forgotten me and decided it was time for lunch.

The next hide gave me a chance to observe pochards, greylag geese, and shelduck, among other varieties of waterfowl.

Next, it was time to visit the Bewick swans. Curious-kid stared at me then went back to doze when he realized it was only me. A sibling seemed little more impressed or alarmed, and also dozed on. In fact, all 4 youngsters took very little notice of me, three of them dozing and one drinking.

BIRD NEWS:454

Today I begin with two shots of the Nenes - AKA Hawaiian Geese - standing on wooden things. I was walking round anti-clockwise for a change today if you are wondering why the Bewick swans are not among my first shots.

In fact, the first swans I sighted were the duo of black-necked swans and a mute swan.

I then encountered a small flock of 4-5 long-tailed tits - but could not get a good shot as they flitted about too fast. I did manage to get a shot of a pair of thrushes perched in a tree near the reedbed hide, though.

Next, I reached the Trumpeter swan lake/field and sure enough my pair of pals came waddling across to greet me before I entered the hide next to their enclosure.

BIRD NEWS:453

I spotted my winter-pal Plateface the thrush now we are into December. The sparrows are active on the feeder pole again now that the wintry weather has arrived. I have also seen more action from the wren, last spotted hopping about the pond-side stones looking for snacks much as Plateface is in the photo above.

My next outing gave me a couple of photos - unsure of the bird in question, I took a couple of shots while Liz and I went on a ramble North of Arundel. We agreed it was almost certain to be a kestrel....

Back home, and I have not been seeing much other than the regular everyday. IE, sparrows, starlings, the odd robin, blackbird and wood pigeon. Pictured above an assembly on the feeder pole tucking in to Christmas goodies. My other Christmas Day visitor was more seasonal and allowed me to photograph him on the bird bath.

That brings me to my late December trip to Arundel WWT. Above is a shot of the eiders and other assorted ducks and geese in the cafe-side lake. Below is a wood pigeon who decided to act as a gatekeeper.

BIRD NEWS:452

The gloom and doom of the dark November day is caught in this shot of a mute swan. There seem to be quite a few of this variety - our local lads - now resident in the reserve. The only invites being Bewick, Trumpeter, and Red-necked, the everyday familiar Mute seems to want to join in.

Here are a pair of Nenes - AKA Hawaiian geese - AKA a rare and threatened species. There are between 8 and 16 at the reserve - I really must count one day - and in breeding season they can get quite hissy if you go too close to their nest or young. Currently, they just stare at you...

Here are a second pair, close to the first. On this trip I tried to take shots of several 'other' residents, not just swans and pigeons, so as not to be too boring or exclusive. Hence shots of Canada geese, Emperor geese, Red-breasted geese - and Nenes. See, I do enjoy observing geese as well as swans....

Talking of swans - this pair did not want their photo taken! My Bewick pals did not mind though! My last photograph from the late-November trip was of a pair of magpies playing near the playground area. That brings us back home...

...but there is little news, apart from the fact that the new blackbird family and Mr Bob and young Pidge - probably the 3rd or fourth generation or original Pidge - still hang out the yard. Regular sightings include sparrows, starlings, and blue tits; and irregular sightings occur whenever the furball slaughterers allow.

There is little excitement in the yard currently - so I keep feeders stocked and - wait - in anticipation of OUR winter arrivals, for the shelducks are now at Arundel WWT!

Our next trip was to Midhurst and Fittleworth. Although not many birds were spotted at the pond, the info board was quite interesting. We did see some Canada geese though...

I did not take photos at Fittleworth, but we witnessed several blue tits a great tit and a sick pigeon.

BIRD NEWS:451

You can see here that the Black-necked swans are back again - in their former haunt. I had wondered where they had been placed since their vacation in the Trumpeter enclosure. If you recall on my arrival and coffee-sipping, I saw a flight of pigeons? Well here is another of their roosting spots...

It is fairly close to the feeding station - where you can see yet another mute swan, some ducks, geese, jackdaw...

Next, we encounter a mystery. As I took my first stroll round, I spotted a newish construction, possibly only partially built, erected near the 'Sussex Hide' where I rarely venture as nothing but wasps seems to be sighted there. I will give this as a question - WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS STRUCTURE IS? I have absolutely no idea, as yet, myself - but expect to find out within the next few months!

Oh, hello Mr Jackdaw! Being a pigeon lover, I just had to take a shot or two of the gang at the cafe-side lake feeding station!

As you might notice, there are also a lot of Canada geese. Apparently, their excess presence is becoming a nuisance - there are too many of them flown in and competing for the food and lodging given to the residents. I know no furhter details to the problem than that Liz mentioned the staff had been trying to discourage them from accumulating due to their massive number.

As I strolled on the second - now anticlockwise - leg of the visit, you may see that darkness and clouds were the weather of the day. I thought to take advantage of the dismal gloom and get a moody shot....

BIRD NEWS:450

My next sightings were from one of the hides and include a grey heron and the arrival of the shelducks, who migrate here in the colder months of the year.

I moved on to the Trumpeter swan lake and spotted my two pals - miles away near their island. Often, they will also come over, just like the young Bewick swan - but not today.

Well, the day was indeed mostly dark and cloudy - but I had long since left the reserve by 3-30 on this occasion. I had arrived in town at 8-50am, taken a 45-50 minute trot along the river bank from the museum to WWT cut thru and spent 2 hours strolling round the reserve after a large hot black americano - somehow, I managed to pop into 2 charity stores, the co-op in Arundel and catch a bus home, arriving at just after 2pm.

I wandered along to the woodland area lookout and woodland hide and as the feeders were back - so were the birds. Above you can spot a young goldfinch and a coal tit. Below, you can find a great tit.

And there is a blue tit - hiding in the tree observing - ready to swoop in, grab food, and disappear.

Finally for today - HERE is the link to a bird game. (I am apparently a chaffinch!!)