Mandarin Duck

Also from three years ago: a male mandarin duck (Aix galericulata).

Photo taken by my daughter Zoe in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2008-05-31.

Shoveler Duck

From three years ago: a male shoveler duck (Anas clypeata).  See here also.

Photo taken on the large lake, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2008-03-15.

Goslings

From yesterday morning: one of four goslings belonging to the pair of Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus) that live on the large lake.  Zoe tells me that they came out of their nest (which was presumably on the island) the day before, March 1st.

Photos taken on the north bank of the large lake, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-03-02.

Magpies versus Red Kite

Yesterday morning I saw, high over Eastern Avenue, a red kite being mobbed by a magpie.  The kite was dangling something from its claws: the body of a squirrel, probably road-kill.  The magpie repeatedly approached the kite from behind, cawing loudly, but each time swerving off before making contact.  Eventually the kite let go of the squirrel which dropped down to the roof of the new Red Cross building.  The kite turned towards the north and slowly flew off.  The magpie followed the squirrel down and was joined on the roof ridge by three other magpies that appeared from over a neighbouring building (from where they must have been watching the mobbing from a safe distance).  They all stood there, a few metres from the squirrel, and looked around, as if checking the coast was clear, before, one by one, they hopped down the roof slope to where the squirrel's body lay.

Green Woodpecker

A juvenile green woodpecker (Picus viridis).  These birds don't so much 'peck wood' as poke around on the ground for ants.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2010-08-15