The Odd One Out - Identification Help Needed!

Since I have been talking about this white goose in the field next to me, I decided to try and get a closer look. This meant getting mum up early again.

Mr White stood out as soon as we approached the field.



I couldn't help noticing that it had a distinctive orange bill and pure white body. So definitely not a snow goose because it hasn't got black tipped wings.  I still don't know what it is.

 

Eventually they all took off at once so they could take a dip in the lake.

 

As you can see Mr White is in a group with a load of Canada Geese

See, even when it flaps it's wings, it's pure white.

When they were all on the lake it looked pretty immense, so I will keep trying to identify this white goose. In the meantime does anyone have any ideas what it might be? 

 

It could be a domestic goose, but it has retunred with the Canada Geese for the last two years.

 

I also managed pictures of the Fieldfares, but you'll have to wait for my next post to see them.

 

Misty Morning Visitors Passing Through

I woke up this morning and looked about of my window and there was a really misty day to look forward to...... NOT!!!  Although I have to admit, the view did look rather magical.

When I glanced into the second field (which is the field next to the one behind my house near the little lake) I could hear a lot of honking, so I looked through my binoculars and there were probably about 250 Canada Geese, which is a massive inprovement since last year, when there were only about 20. I am so pleased that they have come back again. There is a pure white goose with the Canada Geese which was also with them last year.

Since Winter is closing in there has been plenty of bird and wildlife activity in the garden, like the Collared Doves which visit in a group of about 8.

There are more Tits than Sparrows at the moment, however the biggest change I have noticed at the moment is the increase in Chaffinches.

The Fieldfares are definitely in the second field now, but I need to creep up on them at the weekend to get a good picture.

Sky Watch Friday

The Importance of Feet!

On my most recent trip to Marbury I spent alot of time looking at the birds feet.

A bird has toes for various reasons for example woodpeckers have two toes pointing foreward and two pointing back for climbing and grasping, however passerines such as this Blue Tits have three toes pointing foreward and one pointing back.

Most birds that you would normally find on a nut feeder have curved, hooked toes for hanging and clinging to and from things, such as this Great Tit trying to get a nut.

Small birds like Great Tits like to have particular spaces on feeders so a Great Tit spreads it's feathers out so other birds can't take their space. I saw alot of the Great Tits doing this at Marbury.

Birds are ringed on their feet and as you can see this Robin has been ringed. Birds need particular sizes so that the bird isn't hurt when flying-  for example a Robin needs a size A- 2.3mm diameter.

After watching all these feet, we wandered back to the car an enjoyed some other wildlife. The Heron was wading out in the water so I could get a good shot.

A pair of Grey Squirrels were asleep together on a holly tree branch in the sun.

It's been great being off school today as I have been able to watch the BBC Autumn Watch 24hr cameras all day. If you haven't had a look yet it's on Freeview channel 301.

Wilde Bird Wednesday

Mushroom Rings

I did a bit of research on mushroom rings (following on from my last blog). It is quite hard to explain all the science about why the fungi dies off, but here is my understanding. The fungi starts in one place and as it dies off it spreads further out. As time goes on the fungi spread further and further out and that's what makes the ring. It also explains why the outside edge of the circle looked healthier than the inside. So it was nothing to do with the light.

Our World Tuesday 

RSPB Conwy, Llandudno & The Orme

Whilst I was at my Grandma's, I was out and about alot of the time, and on Wednesday I visited the Great Orme. There were plenty of goats and when I looked down from the wall I was amazed by the view. 

As I fed the gulls I noticed a Jackdaw perched on a wall looking a bit peckish, so I decided to feed a few crumbs to it. A bit like when Andrew fed the Raven (Rambles With A Camera)

This young gull was looking a bit jeaulous and trundled off when the food was gone.

After an enjoyable visit to the Great Orme, I visited RSPB Conwy where I met Julian who was really helpful and kind. When I arrived at the second hide there was a big flock of Lapwing (vanellus vanellus) hanging out.

Luckily when I arrived at the final hide there was a Little Egret wading out in the shallows right next to the hide. It was joined by a Curlew.

As I was strolling back I noticed some mushrooms in the formation of a circle which was rather interesting. Does anyone know why they grow like this?

The right side of the circle seemed to be the most healthy of the lot, possibly because they were a bit more in the sunlight.

If I am honest the Estaury had more birds on it it than the pools. I saw Oystercatchers, a single Redshank, Curlew, Mute Swan, Gulls and Little Egrets.

A Robin joined us on the walk back to the car.

 

Birds At Grandma's

As I was on my way to Grandma's, travelling up the track, I spotted alot of Buzzards circling a field full of freshly cut grass. They must of been looking for chopped up mice when the grass cutter carved through the field.

This picture isn't too clear, but a Red Kite had been attracted by all the fuss the Buzzards were making. When I looked to the ground I spotted a him foraging for food.

The track and area around it provide a great habitat for birds.

Most of the time whilst I was there, I was taking pictures of the birds my Grandma gets in the garden. She mostly gets Tits, especially Great Tits.

More Great  Tits.

As you can see she lives near a wood, so she gets quite alot of different species in her garden, but the tits were putting on the best show.

She even gets the odd Nuthatch however she has never seen two at once.

"Yum tasty I can't wait to fly up into this big tree this nut looks so nice."

Don't you think Coaltits are beautiful birds, they are always on my Grandma's feeders.

Mostly on the seeds.

I have never seen these birds on the feeders before!

When I got home, I was so excited beacause I think I spotted the first Field Fares of the year.

Misty Marbury



Yesterday I visited Anderton Nature Park, however there wasn't that much there, so this morning I got up (and got mum up) really early and we went to Marbury Park. It was very misty. We could hear all the geese honking from across the water, but we couldn't see that far.

The feeders had been filled up which meant I could enjoy all the Tits, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers. (Even a Green Woodpecker was sitting in a tree top, however I coudn't get a picture because it was to dark and only there for a few seconds). 

This Robin seemed to be enjoying the mist coming from the lakes edge.

I spotted one of my mums favourite birds, a female Tufted Duck.  We could hear the Mallards laughing from somewhere within the misty murk.

Now, this Blue Tit kept coming to and fro from the nut feeder so I was trying to get a picture of it with a nut in it's mouth, but instead I got it spirralling down into the bramble bushes. 

There were so many Coal Tits down by the lake hide, however at the woodland birdhide I only spotted one or two. They must prefer the lake side spot. It's great seeing all the tits queuing up to wait for their turn on the feeders (unlike the greedy Starlings at home).

It was perfect wether for fungi, it was absolutely everywhere.

The woodland birdhide was not as busy as the lake hide, however I was patient and suddenly birds were coming in from all over the place, perfect for Wild Bird Wednesday.

I really enjoyed Marbury. However I am going to my grandma's in North Wales for a whole week now so I will look out for some intersting birds there.  Grandma's turn to get up early! I am hoping to get to RSPB Conwy again.

Hopefully I will have some great picutres and news for my blog for when I get back.

Our world Tuesday.

Cheshire Life

A while ago you might remember I went for a walk down to our river with Emma and Kirsty from Cheshire Life Magazine.

The November magazine came out this week and we finally got a copy. And guess what, two whole pages are all about me.

Can't wait to get back to Anderton Nature Park tomorrow. I haven't been there for a few weeks.