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Ornithology & Bird watching in Stafford.
- Thread starter gon2seed
- Start date
gon2seed
(and me! - Ed)
Know its a bit late, BUT :-
Five Cygnets on the balancing lake by the rugby club and Castlefields. Hatched in April and I expected them to get picked off, but have lasted till now!
Not too far off fledging, so will be able to run round there with the dog without upsetting the doting parents. I believe a blow from the wings of a Mute Swan can break limbs, so could be fatal to a mutt!
When they have flown the pond I will comeback on to divulge!
Five Cygnets on the balancing lake by the rugby club and Castlefields. Hatched in April and I expected them to get picked off, but have lasted till now!
Not too far off fledging, so will be able to run round there with the dog without upsetting the doting parents. I believe a blow from the wings of a Mute Swan can break limbs, so could be fatal to a mutt!
When they have flown the pond I will comeback on to divulge!
gon2seed
(and me! - Ed)
Shedding their fluffy immature down, and the white showing through now, will probably be ready for the off before too long! Still 5 youngsters! 
Bizarre sight when I was there this afternoon, (Castlefield's balancing lake by the Rugby Club.), was a bird sitting on the created nesting platform in the middle of the pond. Looked for all the world like a Red breasted Merganser, don't think it can of been after looking at the guides, unfortunately didn't have one with me! 
But it sure looked like one to me, having looked at them now, however given their distribution!
Bizarre sight when I was there this afternoon, (Castlefield's balancing lake by the Rugby Club.), was a bird sitting on the created nesting platform in the middle of the pond. Looked for all the world like a Red breasted Merganser, don't think it can of been after looking at the guides, unfortunately didn't have one with me! But it sure looked like one to me, having looked at them now, however given their distribution!
The Hawk
Well-Known Forumite
Bizarre sight when I was there this afternoon, (Castlefield's balancing lake by the Rugby Club.), was a bird sitting on the created nesting platform in the middle of the pond. Looked for all the world like a Red breasted Merganser, don't think it can of been after looking at the guides, unfortunately didn't have one with me!
Probably a female or immature Goosander.
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Wildlife JCB got stuck in the Doxey Marshes had to be left overnight
Pon the morn the vehicle was discovered burnt out
I blame the swan matches
Pon the morn the vehicle was discovered burnt out
I blame the swan matches
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Spotted a beautiful Garrulus Glandarius outside the Dog in Sandon
gon2seed
(and me! - Ed)
Considered that!
What would be rarer/more likely? Was gone when I came back later anyway! 
Of course TY Hawk
, how rude of me not to start with that!
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Withnail
Well-Known Forumite
I've seen both at various places round and about but i'd say that Goosander are definitely more common in my experience.
New the forumite's were likely to solve my conundrum.
gon2seed
(and me! - Ed)
Was perched on the platform, next to a Heron, in the middle of the Balancing Lake at about 11 yesterday when I ran past with the dog, yesterday. It was still there 20 min's later when I ran back. The Heron had gone, and on neither occasion was the Goosander too spooked! So if any twitcher's want to add it to their list, you know where to go! 
Morning may be best!
Morning may be best!
gon2seed
(and me! - Ed)
Oh yeah, them 5 cygnets are still there! The dog seems to love taunting them, but then the parents come rushing over, and she skulks off, thank god!Was perched on the platform, next to a Heron, in the middle of the Balancing Lake at about 11 yesterday when I ran past with the dog, yesterday. It was still there 20 min's later when I ran back. The Heron had gone, and on neither occasion was the Goosander too spooked! So if any twitcher's want to add it to their list, you know where to go!
gon2seed
(and me! - Ed)
Well youngsters not there today, hope they a fledged! The Goosander was there; I read in Staffordshire Wildlife's latest edition, Goosanders and chicks were seen this this year at Wolsey & Croxall! realatively rare for Staffs I believe The lake/pool, must be full of fish! 
Almost enough to get me to gt my rod out! 
The lake/pool, must be full of fish! Almost enough to get me to gt my rod out!
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), and a group of three Tufted ducks, among the plethora of gulls! 
Perplexed of 'Ford! Four ducks now, definitely not Tufted's; bit larger than a Mallard, Black head and, the rest white, with some grey flecks! Female (I assume.) slightly smaller ,brown! Been through my books! No luck!
John Marwood
I ♥ cryptic crosswords
gon2seed
(and me! - Ed)
Just come back, 2 male 2 Female Goldeneye, I do believe he may be spot ON!
Will have to borrow my Dad's (GRHS) bino's, to confirm this! 
Can go to work with a smile on my face!