Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Beautiful Birds (42): What a Lark

There is usually a gaggle of geese on the foreshore, in the vicinity of ...
The Orwell Bridge, where ...
... Canada Geese, in particular, gather to feed.
There were Oystercatchers at the water's edge last Saturday ...
... and I'm wondering about the bird on the right. A Mallard, end on?
I watched most of these birds through binoculars, and the zoom on my camera was somewhat challenged by the distance. I could also see Lapwing some way off, and when I got out of the car, I heard my first Skylark of 2012. I turned and was treated to the spectacle of the songster's display flight before it disappeared down into scrubby grass in a nearby field.

You can read more about the Skylark here on the Southend RSPB pages. What is it about this bird that gives us all such a 'lift'? There is a quotation from Wilfred Gibson's poem, but I prefer Shelley's classic take on the subject, which you will find here. You might also enjoy the Skylark selection here. 


First 2012 sighting:
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7 comments:

  1. L. D. 14 March 2012 at 16:30

    I have never heard of an oystercatcher before now. I like it's markings. I need to research it to see if they have a youtube of one actually eating an oyster.

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  2. J19 March 2012 at 01:11

    Pretty sure that's a Mallard, Caroline. Nice photos, and great to see such beautiful wildlife can thrive so near to that ugly bridge!
    P.S. - Can you turn off comment moderation - very difficult to read those words!

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  3. Caroline Gill19 March 2012 at 22:20

    Thanks, Jeremy, for the tip-off ... I find everything has comments moderation these days. Can't even post to my own Facebook timeline without the wretched thing!

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  4. Caroline Gill19 March 2012 at 22:23

    P.S. The Orwell Bridge may not appeal, Jeremy, but it's great that it's home to Peregrines!

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  5. Adam Tilt19 March 2012 at 22:36

    I thought the bridge was pretty impressive but Jeremy and I have disagreed on architecture in the past ;-) Nice photos Caroline and glad to see you have Oystercatchers over there as well.

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  6. Mary23 March 2012 at 13:26

    Beautiful! I've never seen an Oystercatcher. I do believe that is a Mallard.

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  7. Crafty Green Poet23 March 2012 at 17:18

    I've been delighted to hear and see more skylarks than normal in the farmland round Edinburgh this spring

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