BIRD NEWS:579

I did manage to get a few shots of these swooping birds though. I got a few shots of them in the air - and a few on the lower level with grass behind. The latter shows the coloring of the birds better.

Next, we see Goggles the farm duck-goose standing on one leg by some iris flowers. This signifies the start or end of a walk, as I pass the pond Goggles lives at on my way to or from the woodland.

Two goldfinch munch nyjer seed while Mr Bob the robin watches them - and keeps one eye on 'his' sunflower hearts in my penultimate shot for today.

Finally for today, here are some young sparrows having a dust bath on my garden path.

BIRD NEWS:578

As I proceeded to return home down Swillage \lane, I spotted the first swifts or swallows skitting the field where the turning to the left lies. I also spotted a giant dark bird - assumedly a crow or rook, but possibly a bird of prey. Not much further along, but to the other side, was a wren, watching me from the hedgerow.

I tried to take a shot of both birds, but....

There was a blackbird singing to me on the wires overhead as I passed by. A little further along was a goldfinch.

I then tried to get some photos of the swallows - or swifts - that were swooping over a field - but...I got more blobs than pictures.

BIRD NEWS:577

I turned right past the peacock house and spotted a robin.

There was at least one peacock parading about the land of the house as I passed by on my return trip.

There was also a buzzard hovering over the fields as I walked back towards my home. Goggles was not looking at his reflection, nor taking a drink, but preparing to dive into the water in the next shot.

Goggles had his eye on something he wanted to investigate....and began to swim towards........ME!

Yes, I was definitely the object of fascination for Goggles. Assumedly due to the fact someone had recently fed it ghastly slices of white bread. Poor bird....that might taste good, but just like for humans, white sliced bread is not healthy for birds!!!!

BIRD NEWS:576

There was something flitting by the pond - a wren! With the virus lockdown and precautions meaning I cannot get to any birding reserves or long distance hiking tracks, only the garden and local hikes house photograph opportunities for the time being - thakfully, there are numerous feathered friends in the yard, and some more exotic species on my local rambles.

One of the latest stars in my photos is the farmyard duck-goose living at Poacher's Pond, Swillage Lane. Here it is seen preening - and the fence posts can be seen as fence posts in this picture!! On my return homeward, it was accompanied by a mallard.

Meanwhile, in the front garden - a robin bops about the path. HERE is an article about the Bewick swans - though not specifically Silvertag and Orangetag.

& HERE is a link to a godwit cam.

Meanwhile, here at home, one of our woodpigeons has figured out how to get fed. It stands on the coffee room windowsill and taps the window - this means I spot it has come to visit me, go upstairs, and put seed on my bedroom windowsill....

The goldfinches have been seen around most days - anything from 1 to 4 in number. I expect this to increase over time, as more of them discover nyjer seed, fat balls, and sunflower hearts on offer. Mind you, on returing home one day last week, I spotted a red kite hovering right above our back yard - alas, it left by the time I dashed inside to grab my camera.

This shot shows that I went on another solo hike in the Angmering park woodland - as I pass the pond up Swillage Lane each time I trot off. 'Goggles' is preening in this shot.

This egg, assumedly a blackbirds, lay on the ground as I trotted on up Swillage Lane past the pond and first turn off.