An hour to kill before starting work today so took a stroll around Bookham Common. Through the woodland the voices of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Wren, Chaffinch, Jay and Blackbirds helped to cheer the spirit as the sky was overcast with a hint of possible rain showers plus fairly windy. Brief sighting through the tree tops of 2 Swallows. At the pond I followed a Common Whitethroat singing from various vantage points but not willing to pose long enough for his portrait. (One day I'll get him!) Today only 7 Mallard chicks seen so there may have been some predation in recent days. Moorhen was also present.
The lone Canada Goose (apparently not a regular sight here) swam over to check me out.
On my way back to the car park, via an area of scrub and bushes, there were more sightings of very vocal Garden Warblers attempting to get paired-up, Song Thrush serenading me plus Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits flitting around. The Cuckoo called from some distance and the Swifts made another brief appearance.
Garden Great Tit update: The parents are still frantically feeding, so all seems well so far. 
That Canada goose is really giving you a look-over! I've been chased by them many times so you'd better be prepared to run!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne, don't fret about my safety, he's seems quite docile (on his own!)
ReplyDeleteI like the photo with the fence posts (a little foot bridge?) and the scruffy vegetation around it. The ducklings are cute...too bad their numbers have diminished. Glad to hear the nestlings in your garden are still going strong!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to start a day Frank.
ReplyDeleteGood shot of the Great Tit at the nest box. I bet they're kept very busy through the daylight hours.
And I moan about work; I've got it easy compared to these little chaps, but they still keep going.
Mallard babies are cute, when I was a teenager, I was handraising two of those birds, it was a great experience...
ReplyDelete:))
Kelly. Very perceptive of you. Yes a small bridge over a stream. Predation on ducklings is quite normal, hence the large brood no's to compensate.
ReplyDeleteKeith. I agree. I certainly don't have that amount of get up & go at the moment.
hillbillyfarmgirl. Nice to hear from you.
Frank, these are wonderful photos as always. The chicks are adorable. I hope they survive. And, well, the Goose photo - I LOVE it. That's a great shot.
ReplyDeleteHi Montanagirl. Thanks for the compliments. The 'CG' was a poser!
ReplyDeleteYou'll get the Whtethroat shot in the Autumn !
ReplyDeleteGreat way to set yourself up for the day Frank. That Whitethroat is teasing you obviously! You'll get it one day!
ReplyDeleteExcellent Frank. Looks like you got a friend with this Canada goose!
ReplyDeleteAmazed that the great tits are still feeding. I guess they probably have live 12 chicks in there. We will know soon I guess.
Thanks Chris. Yes, the CG didn't seem at all phased by my presence.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will be long before little Great Tits enter into the world...I just hope we don't miss them!
Very nice bird photos, but I really do like the old fence photo too.
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