Canada Geese and Goslings

Canada Geese and Goslings

Canada Geese with 4 goslings

Early in April 2011 a pair of Canada geese were seen mating on Bingley canal. The female duly made her nest on the bank and laid eggs. She was very well hidden although the nest was very close to the water and often all that could be seen was the top of her black head. If you didn't know to look, you would never have seen her. What gave away the location of the nest was the patrolling presence of the male on the canal. He never left, keeping careful watch and chasing away all and sundry. The only one they has trouble with is Grumps the mute swan who thinks he is king. This is a photo diary of the story of a Canada goose's nest and the arrival of goslings

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Hard at Work Starling

Starling photos at Upton

starling trying to figure out how to get to the fat balls in the feeder

This little lad looked a bit disgusted that he had to work hard to reach the fat balls on the feeder. Just shows how handy that long beak is.

Starlings are surprisingly beautiful birds - just look at those luminescent feathers!

They tend to get a bad press. They are a bit noisy and they like to go around in flocks. They are particularly good to watch at Upton Cottage with young families when they fledge. They nest at the house which gives us a great chance to see them.

"it WILL be mine!"

starling on bird feeder

'fluttering' starling on bird feeder

starling on bird feeder

'Triumphant!' starling on bird feeder

The Lucky Pigeon

Normally pigeons don't get to feed from hanging bird feeders - they are too heavy to perch which is the general idea - to keep them away so the small birds get a chance. Yesterday I glanced up to see this clever fella had taken advantage of the fact I had hung one feeder too close to a table so he got his chance to graze.

Pigeon at bird feeder

Pigeon at bird feeder

Pigeon at bird feeder

Pigeon at bird feeder

Goldie the White Mallard Duck with her Ducklings

Goldie the white mallard duck with her ducklings

White Female Mallard Duck shows off her new Ducklings

This photo journal features a little white duck with her ducklings. The white duck is a mallard duck. It isn't unusual for mallard ducks to have unusual colourings, probably the result of centuries of inter-breeding.

Last year, a light-coloured female mallard appeared with a brood of 15 ducklings. Twelve were ordinary looking mallard ducklings, two were lighter in colour and one was golden yellow. She became 'Goldie' in a children's photo book I produced last year and she grew into a beautiful white duck.

This year, Goldie has produced her own ducklings. There are twelve of them and seven have inherited her white gene: presently they are tiny balls of yellow fluff who will also turn white as they mature. This page records the first appearance of 'Goldie' with her new ducklings.

St Andrews Seagull

Clever Seagull Begs for Food

young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland

Visiting St Andrews I was kept amused by this clever seagull in Market Street begging for then catching food. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

The Perfect Catch a poem by AnnMackieMiller

Feet in constant motion
like a fielder on a baseball  pitch
he shuffles back and forth
eyes steady
always ready
the throw leaves the hand
and wham
his head whips round
and bam
the perfect catch

seagull begging for food

seagull catching food thrown for it - he never missed!

seagull catching bread thrown for it

seagull begging for food

lunch over

The Perfect Catch a poem by AnnMackieMiller

Feet in constant motion
like a fielder on a baseball  pitch
he shuffles back and forth
eyes steady
always ready
the throw leaves the hand
and wham
his head whips round
and bam
the perfect catch