Yesterday we decided to pay a visit to Bushy Park for the fist time in I don't know how long. It was midday and despite the much colder temperature and very stiff breeze there were masses of visitors enjoying a brief lull in the wet weather. Now this would not be my usual haunt for birdwatching but the various ponds do enable you to get up close to many of the resident (and human friendly) wildlife. So here are a few images:
A pair of Red-crested Pochard.
One of the many male Red-crested Pochards.
Canada Goose.
Mute Swan.
Mrs Mallard hoping for a tit-bit perhaps!
The 'dandy' Mandarin Duck.
Whilst wandering slowly around the ponds we had our first 2010 sightings of six Swallows hawking over the water. A little while later Anita picked up the sound of a Skylark and we watched it in full song flight. FAB.
Our ducks are starting to thin out. The Mandrin is pretty special and you cannot go wrong with the Pochard.
ReplyDeleteThat "dandy" Mandarin Duck, is certainly an interesting character, really a cool character, love it's plumage, and expression~
ReplyDeleteEarly birder, those pochards and the Mandarin are spectacular! I have never seen either species! That Canada goose has an awfully short neck. Do you get cackling geese there? It might be one of them instead.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the Red-crested Pochard, and that Mandarin is excellent Frank.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the crowds lol
Definitely worth a walk around there when you can get that close to the resident water birds. The Red-crested Pochard is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteSuper shot of the RC Pochard Frank.
ReplyDeleteLove the RC Pochard and Mandarin Frank. I do like the bright ones.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve B. Same over here; very soon it will be only resident ducks left. Yeah, the Mandarin & RCP are in a class of their own.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary. Same family as the Wood Duck, hence the 'exoctic looks.
Hi Kathie. I'm sure the Canada is normal size. No, we don't get Cackling Geese except in wildfowl collections.
Hi Keith. Many thanks.
Hi Mick. They certainly make life easy for the camera.
Hi Roy. Cheers.
Hi Angie. I agree; there colours are stunning.
You always such a wonderful variety of birds! That Mandarin Duck is quite something. We don't see those here that I know of .
ReplyDeleteThanks Mona. Will share some more of this species soon.
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