Friday 31 January 2014

Magpie Geese and chutney

Magpie Geese, Anseranas semipalmata
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.

Thursday 30 January 2014

Australian Shelduck and Bewicks

Bewick's Swan, Cygnus columbianus
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

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Peregrine, Fieldfares and Pintails at Pulborough

Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis
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

Saturday 25 January 2014

Buzzard and Greylags

Buzzard, Buteo buteo
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