Wednesday 17th.February 2010

The forecast this morning was for cloud with a few sunny intervals . As the day developed , it became wall to wall sunshine and not a cloud in sight . I had thought about a trip to Rye Harbour and Dungeness , but the forecast changed my mind , a long way to go to be in cloud or fog , but , that's life .
I decided on another look at the Heronry at Kelsey Park in Beckenham . Apart from the dog walkers , it was reasonably quiet , but the clouds hadn't dispersed yet . Nothing unexpected on the stream into the lake , with just 5/6 Mandarin now , plenty of Tufted Duck and of course lots of Black Headed Gulls , ready to do battle for the next loaf to appear . Under the bridge , where the stream enters the lake , were three generations of Mute Swan . The 2009 brood still in their browny/beige juvenile feathers , the 2008 brood , having lost those feathers , but still sporting the dark bill , and two pairs of adults , sporting the orange bill with the black knob . I think , from it's size , this one was a female , but as always , I stand to be corrected . Of interest , Mute Swans were brought back from Cyprus by Richard the Lionheart , after his third crusade . The Heronry on the island was very busy , with several nests occupied . The one I posted last time still had a bird sitting , and when I got talking to a lady who is a 'Friend' of the Park , and who visits the every day , young birds were heard calling at the weekend . Whilst I was talking to her , the Heron in the middle of this shot flew in , and changed places with it's partner , settling down immediately on the nest . The original sitter , moving to the right , before flying off , probably to feed , the replacement sitter already tucked well down , almost out of sight . The usual Canada and Greylag Geese attempted to 'mug' all passers by , especially children with loaves in their hands . On the far side of the lake in a more wooded area , I heard then sighted just 2 Redwing , and they soon flew off . In the same area was this Mistle Thrush , looking very colourful in the sunshine , against the blue sky . All over the Park , Rose Ringed Parakeets were screaching , and several pairs were working on proposed nest holes . This is probably the male , working hard , whilst the female tells him how to do it . Sorry ShySongbird , I couldn't help myself with that one ! Not a lot else of interest , but as I was returning to the car , 4 Jays flew to the top of one of the large trees at the entrance . Three flew of almost immediately , but one remained for a short while , enough to try for another shot . Once again , the branches managed to mask the bird , I'll get a clear shot one day , perhaps . The main reason for leaving was that the sunshine had attracted even more dogwalkers and loads of children and their bikes and scooters .
On the way home I had a quick visit to Hayes Farm/Trout Fishery , which was very quiet . In one of the unused horse paddocks , were 11 Greylag Geese , proper ones , not the farmyard mixed types that I usually see here . Only other interest were 2 male Egyptian Geese on the field next to the lake , this one definately not wanting his photograph taken , but I took it anyway .
I headed home for lunch , kicking myself with the decision I made earlier .