Geese, swans, gulls, white doves and fancy hens along the River Yare in Norfolk

 At the weekend I visited Thorpe St Andrew, which is in the outskirts of Norwich.  It is a lovely area and the house I stayed in was not far from the River Yare.  On Saturday afternoon we walked to the river to have a look at what was going on.  There were lots of boats, of course, and some wildlife.  In the photograph below there is a Mute Swan in the distance and a gang of Greylag Geese.

The Greylags were having a great time and probably hoping we had some food for them - we did not, so they eventually lost interest in us.

On the river bank was a gang of Black-Headed Gulls - with white heads!  Can somebody tell me when they get their black heads back?

Then, swimming along on the other side of the river, were a couple of young Mute cygnets - now nearly grown up and looking very sophisticated.

They were followed by a parent, presumably mum Mute Swan, who was keeping a beady eye of
them.

We stopped for a short rest in the garden of a pub that overlooked the river.  There was a shed in the garden containing several fancy/unusual/exotic chickens/hens.  I don't know anything about hens or chickens but, having looked on the internet, I believe they may be Cochin hens.  Anyway, whatever they are, it was very interesting seeing them.

On the walk back along the river, I then took a few photographs of some white doves that were also on the river bank.  I love doves and, over the years, have collected several Falconware ceramic items that feature doves and dovecotes.

Then, on the other side of the river, I spied their dovecote!

It was a very interesting walk and made a change from taking photographs of the wildlife in London's parks.