BIRD NEWS:106

As I approached the town again, there was a fork in the moat and a pair of coots were rummaging about in the muddy waters there - more camera fodder for me!

I arrived back in town and wandered around for a little while, listening to carols, a rock band, muppets, and Bing Crosby playing/singing in various locations. As on the two previous occasions that I had also attended this event, I managed to find some still life birds to photograph in addition to the multiple waterfowl (and pigeons) already spotted - as well as plenty of mulled wine and roast chestnuts.

In this window alone, you can see 7-8 statue birds! I decided to return later, but ventured onward to collect a few more shots of statue birds to share. Oh look - a pigeon or dove - must take a piccie!!

No, that last one is not a statue - its a close-up shot of one of the geese I forgot to include in an earlier post!

BIRD NEWS:105 & links

The swans continued to flow and float along gracefully - as did the duck that had joined them instead of hanging with its own kind. I got a few close up shots as some of the 'elderly cygnets' passed by...

... and of the duck.

Whether they were slow or I was fast, I do not know, but they seemed to give me ample opportunity for picture-taking as the gang traveled towards the lake I had left.

I headed on past the last and made my way back towards town. Unlike last year, I did not get any photos of the 'big black birds' in town, primarily because the trees they had previously hung out in/around had been clipped. However, this is not the last of the feathered activity on my Arundel trip!

HERE is a link to an article about a rare bird.

& HERE is a link to more information about this bird.

BIRD NEWS:104 and a colorful bird video

As promised, the swans continued to pass by....but I have news to share from my home yard before continuing with the Arundel birdlife. I mentioned several posts ago about the next door neighbor passing away and the council gutting the yard. I also shared a few photos of what became of the fence the other side and the shed/bird equipment.

On my return from Arundel, it was too dark to see the damage done, but I knew the council had been back to do the fence down my side whilst I was out, as I had seen and heard them begin before I left home. Putting the kitchen light on to make coffee at 6am, I could see bare fence a little way along, so I knew it would not be good news.

Here are the 'before' and 'after' shots of the shared fence - before being sparrow nesting habitat and after being bare wire fence...

...not a pleasant experience for myself or the multiple yard birds. I hope they do not think that any more damage to their home will occur MY side! I put out sultanas for them to make up for those official humans causing damage to their habitat.

Let us now get back to happier matters - and those swans, trailing along after parent swan serenely!

Check HERE for a colorful video!

BIRD NEWS:103

In fact, as I walked back to town, I spotted a few more pigeons sitting in a few more trees...

The clouds looked a bit lighter after a few minutes, but they did not regain their earlier thinness. As I got closer to the town center, I passed a troupe of swans gliding past - parent swan and a gang of littlies - well, teenage littlies.

There were a pair of ducks ahead - and one in the swan line-up too! I took some close up shots as they passed by.

I will jump back home to the yard to talk in my next post - but the line of swans will continue as well!!

Meanwhile, in Australia - the count is in - HERE.

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...