BIRD NEWS:754

 

Our next trip, Liz and I took her granddaughter Megan to Shoreham. I took this photo of a pair of mute swans gliding a out the lagoon where we parked.

We walked around - along the coast and across the footbridge into Shoreham, expecting a market that was advertised but absent, then coffee at the cafe which was shut... We tried a new cafe which sold fancy coffee -they had almond milk for me, and a shot glass of soda water with your coffee which i approved of, and a cookie. we then progressed towards the estuary to take a walk - stopping to chat to some RSPB volunteers doing a bird count on the high tide. Apparently there were 160 of these snipe.

There was also a heron and lapwing and....well, the heron came out in the picture. The river estuary was as if flooded with the extra high tide, flushing out all the birds into view, hence the counters. It was a lovely accidental surprise to counteract the disappointment of the missing market and cafe.

Although you cannot see the snipe very clearly, they are not often spotted by us and to see so many all at once was amazing.

There were another pair of mute swans further up the river - which if you have read former blogs you my recall is not usually this wide....

They hid their heads....but I can tell you they were mute swans.

Next, we walked along the boardwalk to the fort and back...and I had to take a shot of the pigeons - although they were startled by a dog and walkers just as I was about to take the photo.

As you can see, it was a dark dreary grey day....so they did not show up too well anyways.

BIRD NEWS:753

 

Next it was time to visit the Bewick family.

Currently it consists only of Silvertag abd Orangetag - as their young have been moved on to their next home in preparation for the tags to have more this coming season. They did house a guest though - a mute swan.

The infoboard informed us about the young Bewicks.

Next we found a dry bench to sit on in order to eat our picnic lunch. they have started to sell vegan pasties again, so that is what i ate while Liz had ryvita and cheese...or tried to. We had a few feathered friends observing us hungrily - hinting.

Before snatching this crumb from Liz's ryvita, the robin had stood behind us on the bench watching me munch my pasty.... it wouldnt wait for me to finish and give it the last crumbs, but swooped thru the air, beaked the pasty, and flew away again. HUMPH!!

I took another shot of the Bewicks as we went past them again - the red branches of the dogwood show up really well.

My last photo from this trip was on our way home. We passed the woodland and came out on Swillage Lane by poachers pond and I took a shot of Goggles.

BIRD NEWS:752

 

On arrival at WWT, Liz and I sat in the cafe with refreshments observing the bIrds on the partially frozen lake.

The pelicans and red breasted geese shared a lake that was also partially frozen. Bird flu is currently a problem in Pulborough and Arundel, so the aviary was once again closed to visitors. (at the time of posting, Feb 23, the are creating a walkway on the exterior so visitors can view the birds without entering the aviary.)

A nene observed us as we strolled past. Mr and Mrs Trumpeter were preening as we strode past their abode.

Their lake was also partly frozen - as were all the lakes we saw on this occasion in early December 2022.

There were shovellers in the lake that used to belong to the trumpeters.

and there were shelduck in the next lake...

HERE is a video I took from one hide where we spotted a crow strolling about the ice, partly skating partly marching.

BIRD NEWS:751

 

I took a second photo of the Egyptian geese as they swam sideways on to us nearby.

Meanwhile, a buzzard flew overhead.

Next we spotted a pair of stonechats on the fence.

At first I was unsure if they were bunting or chats...so I took a few pictures to see if I could see them better on the computer blow up.

Yep, Mr and Mrs Stonechat - hopping along fence/riverside beside us as we entered the town. We then progressed to Swanbourne Lake.

There were pigeons in the tree, but the sunlight hid them from my camera's view.

But here are a courting couple. Lots of tufted ducks and gulls on the lake - with a few cots, moorhen, mallard...

BIRD NEWS:750

 

We went back to the first hide and the grey wagtail was still there.

We also saw a second thrush. There had been one at the other main hide, but it didnt come out in my photos.

Also at the small pond was a little wren doing much the same as the wagtail - hopping about the ice dipping at the bugs.

HERE is a video I took of the two birds to give you a better idea what they were up to.

I took a few more pictures - I really liked these ones of the wagtail observing itself in the water.

Here is the wren again.

While the grey wagtail remains observing himself apparently, although of course it is really looking for and munching minute bugs and larvae.

On our next trip, Liz and I walked into Arundel. On our way alongside the River Arun as we approached the town, we spotted a pair of Egyptian geese floating along serenely.

BIRD NEWS:749

 

I took quite a few pictures of the grey wagtail as it was closer to the camera than my little pond visitor gets.

Along came a pheasant to distract us...and a robin.

At the next hide we saw a woodpecker - who wanted to stay hidden. Liz spotted another one - so there were two there in total.

Then I spotted a coal tit..

...and a greenfinch.

...and a female reed bunting.

We saw the male later on, but for now we saw the female.

BIRD NEWS:748

 

I now have 4 collared doves inhabit my back garden.

...and who does this butt belong to? Yet another bird I have seen recently, that I see most winters.

its the song thrush!!

It could see me, but didnt want to be seen!!

Our next venture took Liz and I to Warnham. It was a frosty winters day early December and the birds were avoiding the middle of the lake which had frozen over.

There were gulls, swan, ducks....but not close by.

Thus we decided was a magpie picking a squirrel drey to bits. We went along to the first hide...

Where I got a really excellent picture of a gray wagtail. You can see him or her stepping around the unfrozen part biting at bugs.