Stanley Park 5
I haven't been birding to Stanley Park since the end of May, so a visit was long overdue. I was in work last night, so I took my camera and bins with me, as the park is directly across the road.
I got off duty at 8am and was in the park by 5 past. What a miserable, cold grey day it was. I didn't hold out much hope of any pictures turning out half decent - but that's the same in any weather
I fiddled about with the exposure settings and hoped for the best.
I took a leisurely stroll around the conservation area lake and the heronry, and then a quick look at the main lake before crossing over the two bridges and doubling back on myself.
There were masses of Blue tits, Great tits, a small flock of Long-tailed tits (about 8) and one or two Coal tits.
There are several feeders on trees around the park and on a half coconut I saw a Nuthatch. I've had great difficulty finding Nuthatches and it was on a trip to Leighton Moss in September with John (Clydebirder) and Bassist, that John found my first one for me. It was with even greater pleasure, therefore, that I watched this one that I had found for myself. Maybe I'm honing my birding skills at last - nah, I was just lucky
Walking around the picnic area I was surrounded by geese and ducks, all hoping for some free food, when I noticed a couple of very tame geese that came right up to me, but that I couldn't quite identify. I hoped they were Pink-footed geese, they could be, from what I remembered from my field guides.
Two Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flew over head, and about an hour later I watched one tapping on a trunk and feeding on insects and grubs. In the same area there were many Blackbirds and Robins. The Blackbirds were amusing to watch as they shoved there heads into piles of leaves and then thrashed about looking for breakfast. I heard and saw several Wrens flitting about and the usual Magpies, Woodpigeons and Crows.
On and around the lakes were Herring gulls, Black-headed gulls, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Tufted ducks, Shovelers and a solitary Great Crested Grebe going into its winter plumage.
Later, at home, I was able to positively ID the Pink-footed geese, so I'm chuffed with that - they are a new tick for me
I've added some photo's to my Stanley Park album.
I got off duty at 8am and was in the park by 5 past. What a miserable, cold grey day it was. I didn't hold out much hope of any pictures turning out half decent - but that's the same in any weather
I fiddled about with the exposure settings and hoped for the best.I took a leisurely stroll around the conservation area lake and the heronry, and then a quick look at the main lake before crossing over the two bridges and doubling back on myself.
There were masses of Blue tits, Great tits, a small flock of Long-tailed tits (about 8) and one or two Coal tits.
There are several feeders on trees around the park and on a half coconut I saw a Nuthatch. I've had great difficulty finding Nuthatches and it was on a trip to Leighton Moss in September with John (Clydebirder) and Bassist, that John found my first one for me. It was with even greater pleasure, therefore, that I watched this one that I had found for myself. Maybe I'm honing my birding skills at last - nah, I was just lucky
Walking around the picnic area I was surrounded by geese and ducks, all hoping for some free food, when I noticed a couple of very tame geese that came right up to me, but that I couldn't quite identify. I hoped they were Pink-footed geese, they could be, from what I remembered from my field guides.
Two Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flew over head, and about an hour later I watched one tapping on a trunk and feeding on insects and grubs. In the same area there were many Blackbirds and Robins. The Blackbirds were amusing to watch as they shoved there heads into piles of leaves and then thrashed about looking for breakfast. I heard and saw several Wrens flitting about and the usual Magpies, Woodpigeons and Crows.
On and around the lakes were Herring gulls, Black-headed gulls, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Tufted ducks, Shovelers and a solitary Great Crested Grebe going into its winter plumage.
Later, at home, I was able to positively ID the Pink-footed geese, so I'm chuffed with that - they are a new tick for me
I've added some photo's to my Stanley Park album.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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Good to read about your walk in Stanley Park Alan,the corresponding pics are very good,I wouldn't have thought it light enough at the w/end for such good shots,well done!
Yes definitely a Pink Footed Goose,they're beauties aren't they.......wait till you've seen (& heard) thousands of them in a flock!!
Posted 23-11-09 at 03:05 PM by Twitcheruth
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Thanks Ruth,
I'm hoping for a flock of Pink foot's on Wednesday at Marshside, after I've tried for the Shore Lark further down the coast. I was suprised at how small and dainty looking they were for a goose.Posted 23-11-09 at 08:27 PM by alanjns
