Showing posts with label goldeneye. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goldeneye. Show all posts

Thursday, 27 August 2026

Birds and Pelicans - including an adult feeding a chick - in St. James's Park on 21st August 2026

The first bird I came across during my walk in St. James's Park was this lovely Bar-headed goose

I found five of the six adult Great White Pelicans gathered together on a small piece of land near the bridge.  They were resting at first, then they started to move about.



Across the bridge and further along the park, all four young Pelican chicks were standing together in foliage at the edge of the lake


The chicks eventually were completely hidden in the foliage so I wandered further along the lake where I saw a Black and a Mute Swan swimming along together

The Mute Swan was quickly seen off by another swan and the Black Swan continued alone

An adult Great Crested Grebe was accompanied by a stripey chick


Barnacle goose feeding near the lake

I was sitting on a bench when three Great White Pelicans swam by. I got up and followed them.

The adults were heading towards the chicks, which were waiting at the edge of the lake


One adult landed and the other two swam off towards the nesting island at the end of the lake

A hungry chick was following and squawking at the adult

Two chicks were following the adult

but only one got fed - by sticking its beak down the adult's throat in order to get some regurgitated fish!


After being fed, the chick was chasing the adult as it wanted more food

which it got!  Looks as though the adult is eating the chick in these photos!



Peace restored after lunch with all four chicks standing on a log with the adult nearby



Later, there was wing-flapping exercise - though all four chicks have pinioned wings and can't fly

They are most amazing creatures - and only a few months old

All four chicks standing at the edge of the lake, with the adult in the centre

It was time to go home after the feeding session and I saw a Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser - both female - before I left the park

 

Monday, 10 March 2025

Visit to Hickling Broad nature reserve on 8th February 2025

I went on a coach trip to Hickling Broad in early February and the first bird I saw was a male Pheasant

A Muntjac was in the grass near the path round the reserve

The Lapwings must have been disturbed by a raptor, which I did not see!

Misty view of the stream

Raptor, probably a Marsh Harrier on a tree in the distance

View of a bird hide in the distance past the reed bed

Pair of distant Goldeneyes

Marsh Harrier on a post

Distant Goldeneyes



Very distant Marsh Harrier!

The only birds that were nearby were on and around the bird feeders at the Visitor Centre
Singing Robin

Female Blackbird

Male Chaffinch

Male Chaffinch and Blue Tit


House Sparrow and Blue Tit

Female Pheasant

Later in the afternoon we set off for Stubbs Mill and saw a Great White Egret and Lapwings at the edge of the water

Stubbs Mill

The view from Stubbs Mill Raptor Point

with Goldfinches

Yellowhammers

Many different flights of Pink-footed geese




Jay

and eventually, when we had just about given up hope, two White Cranes appeared in the distance!

and even further away, there was a flight of eleven White Cranes - they were heard rather than seen!!!