Goslings enjoying a swim with their Greylag and White Goose parents

At the beginning of May I went on a walk with friends along the Thames path, starting along the river bank in Oxford.  We stopped for refreshments at the Isis Farmhouse in Illfley and, while sitting outside in the sunshine, managed to take some photographs of 7 little goslings with their Greylag and White Goose parents.  The Greylag below looks as though it is telling the White Goose off!

Greylag and White Goose with their 7 Goslings

The goslings were having a great time swimming around and splashing in the water, with the White Goose keeping an eye on them and the Greylag staring into the distance.

Goslings splashing around near White and Greylag Goose parents

There were two families of Geese swimming around in front of a group of mainly White Geese that were standing on the river bank - both had 7 babies each.  The Greylag goslings appear to be a bit larger than the Greylag/White Goose babies.

Two Goose families, both with 7 goslings each, near group of White Geese on the Thames

The Greylag goslings clambered up onto the bank, while the Greylag/White Geese and their goslings were still enjoying a swim.

2 Greylag and White Geese families/goslings in the water

They continued swimming around for a while.

White Goose, Greylag Goose and group of goslings

The White Goose had a good splash around in the water and was flapping it's wings, while the group of Gosling were following - though the one at the back is going the wrong way!

White Goose splashing around in the water with 6 goslings following and 1 going the wrong way

The White Goose enjoyed a great bath with the goslings now right behind, also splashing around in the water.

The White Goose is having a good wash and so are the goslings

Goslings. Greylags and White Geese on the Thames in Oxfordshire

On Sunday I was sitting admiring a large group of White and Greylag Geese on the opposite bank of the river Thames at Iffley, near Oxford.  Amongst them was a delightful family - mum, dad and some sweet fluffy goslings.  Mum and Dad were both enjoying a lovely wash and splash around.

Greylag geese and goslings with group of mixed White and Greylag Geese

One of the parents was searching for food, while the goslings were swimming around and looking incredibly cute.

White geese on the bank and family of Greylag geese and cute goslings in the water

Greylag Goose family in the water and White Geese having a drink

A Greylag Goose having a good wash while partner and goslings try to avoid the antics

Greylag having a splash while the family look on

There were actually two families of geese in the same area and I do not know if the geese in the photograph below are part of same one or not!

Two Greylag Geese - I just am not speaking to you!

The geese went for a swim.  Two Greylag Geese were joined by a White Goose and I am not sure which one the babies belong to.

2 Greylag Geese, 1 White Goose and several Goslings

After swimming around for a while, the goslings clambered up onto the bank while a parent was still in preening mode.

Goslings clambering onto the bank while a parent is still enjoying a wash

It was great to see the geese and babies enjoying a lovely sunny day.

Group of white geese and lone swan on the Thames at Iffley

On Sunday I went for a long walk with some friends along the Thames path from Oxford to Radley.  The sun was shining and we stopped for refreshment at the Isis Farmhouse, Iffley.  As we were sitting outside, on benches near the river, a group of white geese swam to the opposite bank.  They were being followed by a lone swan, who looked none too friendly. 

Group of white geese, plus two other geese and a lone swan

The geese climbed onto the bank and gathered together under the tree branches.

Group of white geese climbing onto Thames bank

White geese under a tree on the Thames

Some of the group looked as though they were thinking of going for another swim.

Group of white geese - some are getting ready to have another swim

The swan lost interest in them and swam off

Mute swam on the Thames at Iffley

Bye-bye baby Wood Pigeons - 5

A few weeks ago, on 9th April, I discovered that I had two non-paying guests on my terrace, which is above a shop at the back of my flat.  There were 2 baby Wood Pigeons in a nest that was hidden by plants.  I have written several posts about their progress, the last one being about the first flight early in the morning on Tuesday, 26th April, of the more adventurous baby.

The next morning, 27th April, when I looked out of the window on the floor above the terrace, the adventurous bird  was sitting on the wall of the neighbouring terrace, while the sibling was still confined to the nest.

One young Wood Pigeon has left the nest, while the other is still in it on the other side of the space between 2 buildings

Close-up of the first flier - an adventurous young Wood Pigeon

 In the afternoon, both young Wood Pigeons were sitting in the sun on terrace of the neighbouring building on the right!

Second young pigeon has learnt to fly and joined its sibling next door

2 young Wood Pigeons sitting in the sunshine on the wall next door

 On Thursday morning, 28th April, there was only one young Wood Pigeon at home.  The more adventurous one had flown away.  An adult was hanging around, no doubt trying to persuade the other youngster to take flight and leave the nest.

Adult Wood Pigeon waiting for youngster to fully fledge

I opened the window of the room above the terrace, frightening the bird below, and it winged its way
onto a roof on the left side of my terrace.

Second young Wood Pigeon taking a flying lesson

 It sat there for some time, no doubt wondering what to do next.

Young Wood Pigeon, learning to fly and wondering what to do next

I was able to take some photographs out of the window.  Then I decided to go onto the terrace to take some from below the Wood Pigeon.  When I opened the door, it flew away!!

That afternoon, I moved the plant pots that had hidden the nest from me and put something over it so that the adults could not come back and start all over again.

Wood Pigeon nest

At the weekend, I got myself together and removed the disgusting mess that was the remains of the nest.  I love wildlife, but do not want more baby Wood Pigeons living amongst my plants - sorry mum and dad Wood Pigeon!

Preening, dancing and flapping White-Faced Whistling Ducks

I love visiting the Barnes Wetland Centre and, even though they are captive, it is great to watch their collection of exotic birds.  It also gives children the chance to see species that they would normally never normally come across.

I love the White-Faced Whistling ducks, who put on a great show when preening their feathers.

3 preening White-Faced Whistling ducks

Dancing White-faced Whistling duck.

Dancing White-Faced Whistling duck

Flapping White-Faced Whistling duck.

Flapping White-Face Whistling duck