The Sense of a Goose......

When you see geese flying along in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Finally ... and this is important ... when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

Author Unknown

Long-tailed Duck

Sunday 25th November 2007


jackdaw

It seemed ages since I'd been out birding, so I was well pleased to get down to Pennington Marshes and Lagoons this morning. Thankfully the weather wasn't too cold and the sun was out which set the scene for a nice walk from Pennington Marshes down to the jetty.

The first birds of note were a large flock of Goldfinches flitting from one side of the lane to the other, landing on the teasels for some food and flying off again. Then a couple of hundred lapwing flew over the lagoon in what I can only describe as an ethereal light - very beautiful.


dunnock

Down at the jetty were fifteen Great Crested Grebes one side and nineteen Red Breasted Mergansers on the other, and not forgetting lots of Turnstones running up and down the jetty itself.

We walked on towards Lymington in search of the Long-tailed ducks seen in the area the day before.
Of course you never know what you will meet along the way..... to-day some cows had decided to go for a walk along the path and I had to stop and say hello to this little calf.



Next we saw a couple of Spotted Redshanks and eventually we found the Long tailed Ducks who spent most of the time diving. I didn't get close enough for photo but I'll post one taken in Arundel. I'm so pleased to have seen them in the wild, which means I can add them to my list.........



148. long-tailed duck

Arundel and Brighton...

Saturday 10th November 2007

We decided to go to Brighton today to see the famous Starling Roost on the seafront.



On the way we called at the Wildfowl + Wetlands Trust in Arundel. Last time we were at the WWT, we were lucky to see a reed warbler feeding a cuckoo. That was s sight to see and definitely one of the highlights of my birding year. Today the highlight for me was the Barrows Goldeneye........such a beautiful looking wee duck.


barrow's goldeneye


red-crested pochard


long-tailed duck


eider

After lunch we headed to Brighton arriving just before 3pm. We went for a walk along the sea front and down past the Brighton Centre. Last time I was at the Brighton Centre was the night we took two of my nephews to a Seal concert........that was a long time ago.

After our walk we made our way back to the RSPB area, where they had a couple of scopes set up to watch the starlings.


what's left of the abandoned West Pier - where the starlings roost.

It wasn't long before a small crowd gathered, everyone eager to see the starlings............we waited and waited................. and nothing much happened!!! Yes, we did see some starlings, a few groups here and there, but not that many, infact I've seen more starlings over the Millbrook Flyover in Southampton!!!! It was a wee bit of a disappointment to say the least........... better luck next time maybe??


Brighton sunset.....

Birthday......

Wednesday 7th November 2007

It's my birthday today and we went birding in Keyhaven again!!


Mallard

Weather wise it was totally different to Sunday, much colder and cloudier. Pretty much the same birds as on Sunday....except I noticed a couple of pintail which I had missed then. I also saw a Peregrine in a dead tree close to the Solent, and watched it for ten minutes or so before it flew off. Saw some Great Crested Grebes but no Black-necked.

After lunch we headed to Eyeworth Pond to see the Mandarin Ducks. Here are a couple of pics....





There were also lots of woodland birds.....fallow deer, ponies and not forgetting the pigs who decided to join us at the pond!!

All in all a good day out.....

Keyhaven - Pennington

Sunday 4th November 2007

The sun was shining as we drove to Keyhaven, stopping at the bakery shop near Beaulieu, to buy something for lunch. The lady in the shop noticed my accent and was telling me how much she enjoys Ulster Frys and Irish stew!! Her favourite soda farls come from Irwins bakery, in my home town. Made me remember back to when my Mum used to buy us cream cookies from Irwins.....they were to die for. I wonder if they still make them and if they taste as good as they did back then??


brent goose

We arrived in Keyhaven at midday and began our walk along the sea wall to Pennington. A cettis warbler was heard near the reeds by the free carpark, I often hear one in that spot.

I do love Keyhaven, especially at this time of the year with the brent geese, teal, wigeon and shoveller on the lagoons. There were some golden plovers on Keyhaven Lagoon - a new bird for me.


shoveller duck

Down at the jetty we met Steve, a very nice, helpful, birder. He pointed out an eider, a couple of black-necked grebes, an early female goldeneye and some red breasted mergansers on the Solent. We also met a nice couple from Wokingham who suggested some places to see Bitterns if we were ever in Berkshire. Next time we’re up that way we'll have a look.


coot

I’m not surprised we spend so much time at Keyhaven.......lovely scenery, lots of birds and very helpful birders.....definitely my favourite place to go birding.

146. golden plover
147. black-necked grebe