Psilos Bird Journal
Tuesday September 23rd 2008
     
"Standing room only" (page 2)
 
Cormorant numbers have really grown to levels at which I have never seen them here before. During the winter there are often two or three birds around but today I counted eighteen. Seeing them on mass in the water is quite something and seeing them drying thier wings on the raft with the sun glinting off their metallic feathers has a certain prehistoric feel to it.
     

     
When the raft gets alittle too full and more birds try to come aboard fights break out. You can hear their squabbles right over on the far bank. I dont think I would like to be on the receiving end of one of those aggresive beaks.

 
There is one surprise on the water today in the shape of a female Ruddy duck. Because of the cull there are not so many of these around but I am glad to see that she has escaped. I have never seen one of these on this lake before. She spent most of her time preening and sleeping and seemed easily spooked. She certainly didnt come close and stayed far out on the water.
 

There is some fabulous light and colours ont he water today though sadly not too many birds close in. I thought this very noisy Greylag goose looked great with his ornage beak contrasting nicely with the blue ripples in the water.
 
 
On the grass there were several Carrion crows around. These birds can be quite wary so to keep myself hidden I crawled under a park bench and for my efforts got some very strange looks from passers by. I cant say that I am bothered though as it certainly does the trick and so the crow comes closer.
 
Also meet Moses. It isnt so often that you can identify individual birds but this bird you can. He has a tic problem and so is quite distinctive. I call him Moses because I think he could do with a miracle or two and also bcause of where he lives. He is quite tame and doesnt seem to like to fly unless it is absolutely necessary. He seems to feed just fine and there is certainly no absence of food.