Monday, 29 April 2013

Urban birding

As I drove to East Park, I saw my first House Martin of the year. Once there, a large mixed flock of Swallows and House Martins flew around the lake. After many attempts to photograph a House Martin in flight, the top photo was the best (I got lots of empty skies). Other than the hirundines, the Greylag goslings were the stars of the day. I tried not to get too close, as the parents get nervous easily, but unfortunately, I witnessed a dog attacking and injuring a Greylag, and then the dog latching onto its owner's hand when he managed to separate goose and dog. The greylag had a bit of a limp as he joined his family, but otherwise seemed OK.
Pied Wagtail
This Coot rushed to me - probably expecting to be fed - and then lunged at some mallards that had joined her.
Deer
Greylag Geese family. There were a number of families in the park. Several of them with 6 goslings. The adults walk carefully with their necks down low, leading the goslings. 
A walking gosling.
The goslings fed on the grass.
so fluffy!
All that walking leaves them tired! Gosling feeding while sitting down.
A poor Chiffchaff shot
Goldcrest flying towards the camera
Bird list

  1. Black-headed Gull        
  2.  Blackbird        
  3.  Blackcap        
  4.  Blue Tit        
  5.  Carrion Crow        
  6.  Chaffinch        
  7.  Chiffchaff        
  8.  Coal Tit        
  9.  Coot        
  10.  Cormorant        
  11.  Dunnock        
  12.  Feral Pigeon        
  13.  Goldcrest        
  14.  Goldfinch        
  15.  Great Crested Grebe        
  16.  Great Tit        
  17.  Greenfinch        
  18.  Greylag Goose        
  19.  Herring Gull        
  20.  House Martin        
  21.  House Sparrow        
  22.  Lesser Black-backed Gull        
  23.  Long-tailed Tit        
  24.  Magpie        
  25.  Mallard        
  26.  Moorhen        
  27.  Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)        
  28.  Robin        
  29.  Starling        
  30.  Swallow        
  31.  Tufted Duck        
  32.  Woodpigeon        
  33.  Wren     

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