Egret1
little egret
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Unusual Goose arrives
Regular visitors to the meadows will no doubt be pleased to hear that a new
pair of swans seem to have taken up residence on Five Arches Lake - the pair
arrived on 23rd November forcing the previously established lone male off.
This bodes well for a possible breeding success in 2007. A sign that winter
has arrived, was the most unusual sighting on Tuesday 19th December when a
dark-bellied Brent goose flew from the direction of Ruxley Gravel Pits,
landed on the grass close to the Five arches lake and began grazing for
food. This goose (dark grey and black with white neck ring and white rump)
is unlike the more familiar Canada and Greylag Geese of parks and
urban/suburban open spaces in that it is very much a coastal bird - feeding
primarily on Zostera (eel grass) on river estuaries and tidal harbours,
equally unusual to see one alone, they are almost always found in flocks
ranging from a few dozen to many thousand - this must just have been a stray
bird, possibly injured, sick or just disorientated in the fog that was so
dense that day. They arrive in East Anglia and Southern England from
Iceland, Arctic islands off Scandinavia and northern Russia around October
returning around late March. This is a most unusual record.
Also recently reported have been both Barn Owl - in the location of Loring
Hall and Tawny Owl close to the Stable Block - more information on these
and any other sightings would be much appreciated. Look out for unusual
ducks and thrushes if cold weather arrives.
Ralph Todd
Last edited by Paul FFCM, 22/Dec/2006, 6:36 pm
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22/Dec/2006, 1:23 pm
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Paul FFCM
kingfisher
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Re: Unusual Goose arrives
Hello Ralph / Egret,
Great news about the pair of Swans settling in - I have seen them around Five Arches quite a lot now.
I am hoping to make time for a few afternoon strolls through the Meadows now i have a week off work for Christmas, Hoorah!
And a have very Merry Christmas one & all.
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22/Dec/2006, 6:40 pm
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