Hi Folks. As I left the house this morning to take Mrs A to work there was a lot of commotion from some Crows and Gulls who were circling around the house. I walked down the garden for a better view and was puzzled to see an unusual visitor perched on top of the roof of the house. I dashed in to get the camera and took a few shots from the front of the house.
It turned it's head and I was thinking to myself 'surely I can't be looking at a Kookaburra. I mentioned this to Mrs A who then said,"Oh, I forget to tell you that a Kookaburra has escaped from the local Zoo.".....
A few more pics as he turned his head to look around..
We did phone the Zoo who advised us to try to lure it down with cat meat or the likes, but the Gulls and Crows eventually drove it off. A surprisngly large bird, probably as tall as a Carrion Crow but it seemed much bulkier. A strange addition to my list of garden visitors. Just when you think you've seen it all.....
Paul
My bird photos HERE
well captured, and I hope it get caught safely and returned to the zoo.
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
I hope it gets returned safely as well. Beautiful photos, Paul.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Like you said Paul - just when you thought you'd seen it all! Amazing what turns up in the garden. Glad you were able to get a photo and I do hope it gets returned to the zoo safely - don't know how well it will be able to look after itself in the wild.
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Thanks folks. The Zoo is a small local one which is only around half a mile from me over the fields. I hope that when the bird gets hungry it may just head back to where it is used to being fed.
You'd do a double-take wouldn't you? Just imagine if that had turned up during the Birdwatch! There was floating around Bedford for a while as I recall, that too had escaped. Amazing looking bird though!
What a way to save a fortune!!! No need to fly to Australia to see a free flying Kookaburra.
Peter.
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I should think you must have done a double take when you saw that on the roof. I hope you greeted him with "G'day mate" to make him feel at home.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
This one was sent to us a couple of years ago, think it was in Surrey! Often seen perching on a goal post as far as I remember!
Wow Paul, bet you could not believe your eyes!! lovely bird
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Amazing & a great capture...Kookaburra song.1st song I ever sang as 5yr old at school.All together now..Kookab.....