Magpie Geese and chutney

Magpie Geese, Anseranas semipalmata

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

On Wednesday afternoon during a visit to Arundel WWT I saw Magpie Geese from Northern Australia which I hadn't noticed before. They were in the compound between the Sand Martin and Scrape hides. Once again the Australian Shelduck was on the island in front of the viewing centre when I left on Thursday afternoon.

Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides

Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides

Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus

juvenile Herring Gull, Larus argentatus

Lapwing (Peewit), Vanellus vanellus

Magpie Goose, Anseranas semipalmata

On Wednesday I made a batch of chutney as the last lot is disappearing fast.

hubble bubble

I will share this family recipe, as the chutney has always been well received:

tomatoes: 1 Kg

apples: 1 Kg  

onions: 1 Kg

sultanas/raisins: 0.5 Kg  

dates: 1 Kg (LIDLS sell pitted dates in 200g packs)  

demerara sugar: 0.6 Kg  

malt vinegar: 1.75 Litre

ground ginger: 4 teaspoons

cayenne pepper: 2 teaspoons  

crushed garlic: 6 cloves

salt: 2 teaspoons  

pickling spice: 25g

The pot is 8.9 litre from Lakeland: click here.

Dissolve sugar in vinegar while heating. Add chopped fruit & vegetables, Put pickling spice in cotton or muslin bag and hang in the soup. Simmer for an hour or so till the spoon leaves a furrow at the surface. Stir well at least every 5 minutes to prevent burning (wear goggles as the mix may leap out of the pot when stirring). Leave in sealed jars for at least three months, the longer the better.

Australian Shelduck and Bewicks

Bewick's Swan, Cygnus columbianus

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

On Tuesday I took Sue to Arundel WWT for lunch on a morning that had some promising light. I managed to benefit from 50 minutes of sunshine before the rain set in. I enjoyed the Bewick family which swam near the path. The most exciting sighting was the Australian Shelduck which had settled on the island in front of the viewing centre. I saw one Boxing Day, probably the same individual. While I was photographing it through the glass, Sue spotted a Grey Wagtail feeding along the water’s edge.

view through the glass

Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides

Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides

Bewick cygnet, Cygnus columbianus

Bewick's Swan, Cygnus columbianus

Cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo

Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea

Lapwing (Peewit), Vanellus vanellus

Peregrine, Fieldfares and Pintails at Pulborough

Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

On Monday I joined Mark for the excellent soup they serve at Pulborough Brooks. The light was poor for photography, but we enjoyed seeing a variety of birds. We finished up with tea and lemon cake by the bird feeder where I watched a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a squirrel.

Coal Tit, Periparus ater

Cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo

juvenile Fallow Deer, Dama dama

juvenile Fallow Deer

juvenile Fallow Deer

juvenile Fallow Deer

Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris

 A large flock of Fieldfares landed in a field faraway

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major

I have never seen a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and was surprised to find out that the smaller bird is the size of a House Sparrow but not as bulky.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major

Great Tit, Parus major

Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris

Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis

Greylag Goose, Anser anser with Canada Geese and Wigeon

Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus

Lapwing (Peewit), Vanellus vanellus

Nuthatch, Sitta europaea

Peregrine, Falco peregrinus

Pintail, Anas acuta and Lapwing

Rock Doves, Columba livia

Teal, Anas crecca

Buzzard and Greylags

Buzzard, Buteo buteo

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

On Wednesday I called into Arundel WWT on the way back from Wisley. It was a  dull day, so I returned on Thursday in good light and enjoyed seeing a Buzzard overhead. Five Greylag Geese have been mixing with the Canada Geese.

Canada Goose, Branta canadensis with Greylags

Coot, Fulica atra

Cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo

Greylag Geese, Anser anser and Shelduck

Greylag Geese and Shelduck

Greylag Goose, Anser anser

Greylag Geese, Anser anser

Greylag Geese, Anser anser

Greylag Goose and Canada Goose

Lapwing (Peewit), Vanellus vanellus with Canada Geese

Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna

Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula

Saturday:

view from Sand Martin hide

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos

Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus

Buzzard, Buteo buteo

Gadwall, Anas strepera

Greylag Goose, Anser anser with Shelduck

Canada Goose, Branta canadensis

Greylag Goose, Anser anser

Lapwings (Peewits), Vanellus vanellus

Lapwing (Peewit), Vanellus vanellus

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos