Fstopped
Well-known member
Took a walk round Harrow Lodge Park today and saw some fairly unusual things.
Highlight was catching 5 grey wags as I walked down the stream that runs through the park. Always a pleasure.
As I walking down that same river I heard a horrible squealing noise coming closer from behind the trees. As I looked up a Green Woodpecker flew overheard alarm calling loudly closely followed by a Carrion Crow, which seemed to be in hot pursuit. Not sure what started it, but the crow wasn't giving up. I was listening to the cries fading into the distance for a good minute or so afterwards.
As I was walking past the main lake, about 60 Mute Swans suddenly started kicking off - flapping wings, raising themselves out of the water, honking at the tops of their voices and chasing the Canada Geese round the top end of the lake. If a Swan couldn't find a Canada Goose to chase it started chasing other Swans. About 10 even rushed down from the other end of the lake to join in. It was a hell of a racket. No Cygnets about, and it didn't seem to be my presence that triggered it (these Swans are always int he park, and are well used to humans and dogs). No idea.
Hopped over the road at the back end of the park and took a walk round the chase. One of the first things I saw was a Kestrel being mobbed by a Magpie. Not too unusual, but entertaining. A second Kestrel then appeared and instead of helping out, seemed to join in mobbing the first Kestrel. The Magpie cleared off sharpish after that. Both Kestrels appeared to be male, which could well explain this one.
It was quite a good walk.
Highlight was catching 5 grey wags as I walked down the stream that runs through the park. Always a pleasure.
As I walking down that same river I heard a horrible squealing noise coming closer from behind the trees. As I looked up a Green Woodpecker flew overheard alarm calling loudly closely followed by a Carrion Crow, which seemed to be in hot pursuit. Not sure what started it, but the crow wasn't giving up. I was listening to the cries fading into the distance for a good minute or so afterwards.
As I was walking past the main lake, about 60 Mute Swans suddenly started kicking off - flapping wings, raising themselves out of the water, honking at the tops of their voices and chasing the Canada Geese round the top end of the lake. If a Swan couldn't find a Canada Goose to chase it started chasing other Swans. About 10 even rushed down from the other end of the lake to join in. It was a hell of a racket. No Cygnets about, and it didn't seem to be my presence that triggered it (these Swans are always int he park, and are well used to humans and dogs). No idea.
Hopped over the road at the back end of the park and took a walk round the chase. One of the first things I saw was a Kestrel being mobbed by a Magpie. Not too unusual, but entertaining. A second Kestrel then appeared and instead of helping out, seemed to join in mobbing the first Kestrel. The Magpie cleared off sharpish after that. Both Kestrels appeared to be male, which could well explain this one.
It was quite a good walk.
