Monday 20 January 2014

Mandarins, Raven acrobatics and a Peregrine

Arundel WWT boat house
Fridays visit to Arundel enabled me to wade through the flooded path to the pond in front of the open viewing area by the reed bed path. There were nine male and one female Mandarin Ducks. Unfortunately the light was terrible so the photos do not do justice to these gorgeous ducks. Three Buzzards worked their way along the hill above the Arundel WWT car park. A Peregrine was perched in its usual tree on the ridge and a Raven performed amazing acrobatics.

On Saturday the sky was blue and I enjoyed the wonderful afternoon at the reserve, ending with a very enjoyable boat ride where I got close-up to a juvenile Water Vole. Water levels had risen again so I couldn't get to the Mandarin Ducks. A splendid sunset ended the day.
Raven, Corvus corax
Gadwall, Anas strepera
male Mandarin Ducks, Aix galericulata
male and female Mandarin Ducks
male Mandarin Duck doing his head bobbing



female Mandarin Duck
Saturday:
Coot, Fulica atra
Coot, Fulica atra
Peregrine, Falco peregrinus
Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula
Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
Canada Geese, Branta canadensis
Canada Geese, Branta canadensis
Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
Common Pochard, Aythya Ferina
Common Pochard, Aythya Ferina
female Common Pochard, Aythya Ferina
female Common Pochard, Aythya Ferina
Canada Geese, Branta canadensis
male Gadwall, Anas strepera
female Gadwall, Anas strepera
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna

Water Vole, Arvicola amphibius
Water Vole, Arvicola amphibius
Littlehampton skyline

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