Entries from April 1, 2009 - April 30, 2009

Tuesday
Apr142009

Egyptian Goslings Again

One of today's photos of the Egyptian goslings that hatched out a couple of days ago.  There are still 9 of them, but the mallard brood that started out as 11 is now only 5.

Monday
Apr132009

Nine Egyptian Goslings

Photos taken this morning on the north shore of the large lake in Whiteknights Park:

Sunday
Apr122009

Goslings and Ducklings

The first sign of this year's Egyptian goslings in Reading University grounds.  The female has nested on the island in the large lake.  For the past few weeks, Zoe and I have been going up there once or twice a day.  The male has been moping around on the shore near the island but there has been very little sign of the female.  This morning Zoe pointed out a reddish-brown patch in the bushes on the island, that she said was the back of the female.  Then she said that she thought she saw some grey goslings moving around, so I started taking lots of photos, one of which (the above one) clearly show the head of a gosling.  Zoe said she say at least 3 goslings, and there were probably more.

Traditionally, the Egyptian geese have been the first birds on the lakes to produce young each year, but this year a mallard beat them: yesterday Zoe and Liz saw a female mallard with 11 ducklings in tow. This morning I got this photo of them. It appears that all 11 survived the night.

Saturday
Apr112009

Trees and Sky

A reflection in the large lake, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK.  The large version makes a nice desktop background (click the 'download' link near the top of this page).  Photo taken on 2009-04-08.

Friday
Apr102009

Swan Space

A mute swan (Cygnus olor) on the large lake, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK.  Photo taken on 2009-04-08.