Love Is in the Air - John Paul Young

There may well be a clue, as to the reference of "Other Fish to Fry" in a previous Post, when you see the abundance of

 RING-NECKED PARAKEET

in today's offering.
 

Driving to Kingston on yet another sunny day, I encountered my daughter Lisa even before getting to the house, taking the 2 older grandsons to pre-school and seen here with the youngest, Benjamin. While she continued with that I was directed to the local park where these creatures were seen.

The male of these two Love Birds emerged from the nest hole

and commenced wooing his lady.

GREY SQUIRREL

JACKDAW

REDWING

FREDERICK and ALEXANDER were collected from school
mid-afternoon and after a spell in Grandpa Bagsy's car

we went on to the first

TELESCOPE LESSON

the boys looking dapper in their new uniforms.

We had locked on to a Wood Pigeon
which didn't stay long but was quickly replaced by c6 more

REDWING

Good numbers around here despite the conurbation.

BENNY shows Grandpa the Vegetable Garden the boys have planted,

while the others got into trampolining.

Finally, we found a BUMBLE BEE just before dinner.
There's one happy Bunny up here with the Family.

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Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles

Yesterday was another fine one, after the early morning deluge, and probably the last one of the month when Egyptian Goose might be added to the 'ongoing' County Month List. Also in store was a chance of locating the Surf Scoter, for the same reason, but having last been seen from a view point not at all familiar plus the fact most of the area is 'out of bounds', geography and daring were to be the two main considerations! Firstly, a quick walk along the central path at Longham Lakes to view what were the

FLOODED WATER MEADOWS

now draining nicely and attracting 'hundreds' of birds

but not the 'target' Goose.

 Pulling into my favoured farm gateway at the Avon Causeway

first in sight was this lone

 

male GOOSANDER

 quickly followed by a second.

Further up river was also a female, out of camera range, with it

 soon becoming apparent that 'Love was in the air'

 as one male started stalking the other.

 Exciting viewing,

 causing a little camera shake,

 as the dominant bird soon dealt with the likely rival.

 To the Victor the Spoils

 

 Femme de la Femme

 In addition there are still somewhere in the region of

 100 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT

here, while all other sightings will be reported at a later date.

With a second 'blank' on the Goose it was a drive down to

 SANDBANKS

where the weather seemed to have claimed this yacht and the

Sandbanks were full of Waders.
(Brownsea Island and Castle in the background)

 BAR-TAILED GODWIT

 predominated with well over 50 individuals

 with c2 already being in

 full Summer Plumage,

 

 what a sight!

 As ever at this location

 OYSTERCATCHER

 were numerous

 and not adverse to sharing the victuals with the Godwits.

 Second to the Godwit in numbers were c33

 SANDERLING

 showing little signs of fear unlike the half dozen or so

Curlew which didn't really come within camera range.

 Down at the Chain Ferry,

connecting Sandbanks with the Studland Peninsular,

 the 2 Purple Sandpipers favouring the ferry slipway

 had been replaced by this young

 SHAG

 The top 2 images were taken from the land while the others

from the deck of the ferry.

From memory, I have never visited Ower Bay in Poole Harbour so a little research, via Google Maps, was needed. Both the Rempstone Estate and British Petroleum seem reluctant to welcome visitors here (from the number of No Access signs) but as ever I would rely on Banksy "it is easier to get forgiveness than permission" so ever onward. Consulting the Ordnance Survey Chart it was clear I was somewhere near but would now have to walk across

REMPSTONE HEATH

and a huge waterlogged field, about 2 miles in all. Nearing the field there was another metalled road which, had I known, would have allowed driving a little closer but wouldn't have altered the result. By this time there was a full gale blowing, making scanning the disturbed waters difficult, but on the face of it the bird was not there so return to car, relocate. Driving the newly discovered road, complete with more signage, there was a grassy knoll allowing a slightly better view across Ower Bay where the Surf Scoter could be seen at great distance. Hardly satisfactory, at least it was seen but not recommended for anyone wanting to add this species to their Life List. On the way back to Harbins a final bid (which may be the last of the month with other 'fish to fry') was made for the Egyptians at Longham which ended in yet another 'BLANK'!

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