BIRD NEWS:478

So who/what is this strange creature hanging out with the shelduck and the gulls?

It spent a lot of time splashing in the water - then preening...and looked like it had a small circle on its chest - either of darker color or a wound. Was it an Egyptian goose or Ruddy shelduck - had it been shot or was the patch normal?

After the mystery bird, I took a shot of Emporer geese on my way towards the exit and bus home. It was not my very last shot of the day though - as just as I was about to pop my camera into my bag, I heard a robin - and as I watched, it flew down closer to me and sung right in front of me.

BIRD NEWS:477

I then re-passed the Bewick babes enclosure. I took a bunch of shots - and also one of a nearby noticeboard. They were concerning nesting boxes this month. I already knew most of the info, so only took a couple of photos.

I thought these fluff-balls rather cute, so took their picture. I then moved on to the lapwing hide.

For once, there were lapwings about. This time I managed to take some photos of them in mating flight as well as on the ground. The next picture is them flying and calling out.

What do you see here? I see a lot of gulls, a shelduck and....a stranger!

BIRD NEWS:476

Starting todays' post, a photo of a rude mute swan - grabbing food from a feeder and snapping at pigeons, jackdaws, and other would be munchers. Next, a live specimen and a photoboard of a Ruddy Duck.

I was then back to the Trumpeter swan lake. This time, both swans were out and coming over to where some food had been dropped nearby to where I was standing to watch them.

At first they just swam about - though one seemed to think it was time to tuck in when it saw the food on the pond bottom near to the fence - the other following soon after.

I was on my second circuit by now and not far from the cafe/visitor's center. I did detour to visit some hides on the side tracks before leaving though.

BIRD NEWS:475

I took some photos of the eider ducks as I approached my refreshment stop. The male had dived into the feeding cage and was munching away, while a female swam nearby. Soon after taking these photos, it joined the male.

Along swam some other ducks, as the male dived out from the cage and off onto the lake again. There were quite a few of them this trip, unlike the past few trips when they have been fairly scarce. Whether they frequent another patch of lake or the residents are joined my migrants, I am uncertain.

Next I spotted a bunch of smew. The ones with brownish heads are female, the male being black and white headed. Next, a bunch of pigeons enjoyed the feeder station.

Back home, the news is that spring is beginning to show signs in the yard - although activity has once again lessened as the chilly wet winds returned. As I post this blog, the weather has finally settled down - hopefully - to cloudy and cool with sunny intervals and light breezes predicted for the next 2 weeks.

BIRD NEWS:474

I did get closer to the mystery swan - but it hid its beak - so I still do not know if it is our Bewick or a Trumpeter. I found a pair of male mallards hanging out on the fence as I turned the corner.

In this action packed picture, we can see a mute swan, a pair of blacknecked swans - and a seagull, pigeon, and moorhen or coot amongst other birds. Oh look - I found another pigeon to take a picture of!!

I spotted a duck with a blue bill as I passed the Iraq area pond and took a couple of shots of it whilst passing by.

As I strolled onward, past the lakes leading up towards the cafe - before having a coffee and returning anti clockwise - I stopped to take a few photos of the magpie geese. In the first of these shots one was hanging out with a Nene and Mallard...

BIRD NEWS:473

I got to WWT just as it opened, and my first pictures were of the young Bewick swans. In fact, I also took a video which you can see HERE.

After I watched the cygnets for a while, I went to the next swan lake - to see the Trumpeters.

One was sitting about on their island, while the other swam around a little. I was wondering if the island sitting was a pre-nesting phase, as spring has started in some respects if not all.

Next, I wandered along clockwise to the wildflower area and on to the reedbeds - where I spotted a pair of geese hanging out on the cut reed piles. On the other side of the reedbeds were the infirmary cages. I spotted a swan - assumedly Mrs Bewick awaiting Mr Bewick #2 - but...I don't see any yellow on the beak, so am not sure - it still looks like another Trumpeter swan to me.

BIRD NEWS:472

You can see a lapwing near by and shoveler at the rear in this mixed shot. Of course, Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve means show pigeons - and me being a pigeon-lover, I had to grab just a couple of shots before leaving.

My last photograph from PB shows not only a show pigeon but a bluetit, of which there were plenty. Back at home, Wrenster has been active in the back yard as well as the frogs. February has brought a change in activity and I now have 3 starlings, a few robins and blackbirds, plenty of sparrows, the wren, a couple of wood pigeons, etc active in the yard.

Beatty the bluetit continues to fly down for a peanut or two most days, and I have spotted a pair of doves hanging out in the tree at the base of the yard. I hear them often also, but I think they are using a neighbor's yard for nesting. I took a photo of some pigeons on a neighbor's roof...

Looking at the bird feeder station in the back yard thru the kitchen window, you can see that my early-March purchase of a sunflower hearts feeder is still full. It was only there for less than 24 hours when I took the photo though.

My last shots of today's post were taken at Swanbourne Lake in Arundel on my early March trip. I caught a pair of pigeons hanging out with the teal and seagulls. I had popped into the park on my way to WWT as I was a bit early and it had not yet opened.