Tuesday 11 September 2012

Little Egyptians.

The British population of Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) dates back to introductions into wildfowl collections from Africa in the 18th century.


This species was formally added to the British list in 1971 and my first sightings were during trips to Norfolk in the mid 70's where there was a healthy feral population. Over the years other populations have formed and it is now a species that I regularly encounter in Surrey, particularly during visits to many of the local parks with rivers or lakes. The adults are identical in plumage although the males on average are slightly larger. Both sexes are aggressively territorial, particularly towards their own species, during the breeding season.


During a recent walk around Bushy Park we came across this circular huddle of brown and off-white goslings being watched over by their very attentive parents. 

Even when they woke up and entered the water the parents made sure they didn't stray too far.

Back on dry land it was time for a stretch and some preening ......

.... before topping up their tummies.

Then they gathered together once more into a huddle with their parents back on sentry duty.  FAB.

Linking up to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

37 comments:

  1. such cool looking fowl! the ducklings are adorable, of course, but the adults are so unique.

    ReplyDelete
  2. They're beauties!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Theresa. It was fun to be able to get so close and enjoy the little ones antics.

    Thanks Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful photos nice and close.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely shots Frank. We have some Egyptian Geese here in Stockport.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So nice your post, - great to see!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh wow, they are just adorable. Love the family shot. Great captures.

    ReplyDelete
  8. wow Frank, these are beautiful geese, and your gosling shots are special; thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cheers Gary.

    Thanks Neil.

    Cheers Adam. It's good to know they are spreading their wings.

    Thanks HansB.

    Thank you Eileen.

    Thanks Carole. I don't think I have ever seen some many clustered together like that before.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous shots of these little Egyptians Frank! Those gosling shots are just great!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I absolutely positively love these images. Carol

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great sequence of story and photos

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a lovely family. Those babies are just precious. :) Wonderful series.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ...the little babies are adorable. I love their markings. Interesting adults too. Looks like shocking pink legs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful looking ducks and of course the ducklings are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Aw that's such a lovely scene - the gosling huddle and the parents. I would love to see something like that. Thanks for sharing these images with us.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amazing images, Frank! The goslings are extra cute!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Magnifique photos de ces petits.
    Thierry.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice pictures you show of some Egyptian geese.
    Never heard / or seen them before.
    Thank you for visiting my blog :)
    Hanne Bente

    ReplyDelete
  20. Stunning collection Frank,love the Goslings,also we would like to thank you for your kind comments on our Blog,keep well.
    John.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very nice photos and the small ones are, of course, so sweet! I don't think I've seen these before.
    Greetings Pia in Sweden

    ReplyDelete
  22. You're tremendously veiwing the gathering of the Eygptian Geese coglings.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome duckling images!! And the parents, they're beautiful...and looking oh so proud!!

    Silent Silhouettes

    ReplyDelete
  24. These are great captures of the beautiful Egyptian Geese!

    ReplyDelete
  25. that´s a weird looking bird. Yet it looks good. Would be nice to see it sometime. Thanks for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. We have Egyptians in Florida too...such a pretty rusty color on them! Great shots Frank!

    ReplyDelete
  27. They are just lovely Frank.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Those ducklings are just toooo cute. I like the colors and markings of their parents.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like the Egyptian Goose - a brute of a bird... however you captured the family side of things... nice one

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the pied look of the goslings! What fun!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Nice looking goose - I never managed to see these when I lived in the UK. The black ring around the eye makes them look rather different to other geese.

    Cheers - Stewart M

    ReplyDelete
  32. too cute Frank. great blog as always. sorry it's taken so long to get through your blog. keep it going mate!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I enjoy seeing any kind of geese the most when they have their young.The little ones are adorable and it gives you an appreciation of the adult's parenting skills.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Nice these small egyptians Frank! We have small introduce populations in France too, mainly around Paris!

    ReplyDelete
  35. ...these are beautiful photos! The babies are adorable...love the pattern in their feathers.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Great posts Frank. lovely to see Chalkhill blues after almost 10 years!!

    ReplyDelete

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails