Limpy had heard that there was a pair of goosanders in this lovely park in Ipswich so off we went to investigate! What a lovely couple of hours we had:
Gulls in trees? I've seen it all now!
This male mallard is giving me a look.
One for Hazy! This Cyril looks like butter wouldn't melt in its mouth.
The rumour was spot on! What a beautiful pair of goosanders.
A preening moorhen.
I love Canada geese. They are so subtle.
A cormorant comes up for air, empty-beaked.
There were lots of robins about. This one was the most obliging.
I thought this was a black-headed gull until I looked more closely and saw the orange legs and beak. What is it?
On the hunt.......a beautiful magpie.
Any ideas?
Two's company!
What has caught its attention?
There were a few of these stunning ducks about.
The female is no slouch either!
I'm pretty sure this is a redwing.
I'm finishing with this crow watching over its protectorate.
Enjoy!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
A lovely set of photos, Clare, with a great selection of birds. Well done on finding the Goosanders. I wonder if your Gull is perhaps a 1st winter Black-headed Gull? The legs and bill colour can be much less bright than in the adults.
My bird photos HERE
What a lovely collection of birds Clare and well done finding the gorgeous Goosanders, such attractive ducks and also the Mandarin pair. Fancy seeing the gulls in a tree ! I agree your thrush does look like a Redwing but will leave it to the experts.
post edit: forgot to thank you for the Cyril lol they always look innocent with their paws tucked in across their chest and looking sweet as angels but they never are, I always have to count the feeder perches after their visits lol
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Regards, Hazel
Fantastic pics Clare. It looks like you and Limpy had a great visit. I've never seen Gulls in trees. The ones here seem to have enough problems on the roof ridge when it's a bit slippy and usually end up sliding down the roof, much to my amusement!!!
Kind regards
Jenny
Good stuff. I'm lucky enough to see goosanders quite often, but it's not easy to get close enough to get good photos. Now, I have to find if there are any mandarins nearby :)
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Nige Flickr
Lovely pics Clare and such an interesting variety of birds. I too love the Canada Goose.. such attitude! I think you could well be right on the Redwing. Thanks I did enjoy!
Lovely selection of birds Clare, glad you found your Goosanders, the male has a lovely green head close up, I'd agree with Redwing, just a trace of red under the wing there.
cheers Terry
my photo's here
It is a memorial sculpture Clare!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr