Rufford CP

When Egyptian Geese are so tame, do they still count? Probably.

Joined the family to go a walk at Rufford CP with my baby niece today, an introduction to waterfowl for her and a chance for me to search for the Whitebird (AKA Albinistic Blackbird) that's been on site for two to three years. A great survivor by any standard.

Didn't find that bird, perhaps the crowds didn't help. The first day of Easter holidays and the place was packed. It wasn't just a little bit monstrous to see endless numbers of families throwing loaf after loaf of bread to the ducks, geese and swans. Slices were lying around, floating unwanted in the water, other people tossed handfuls of seed at resting geese that just bounced back off like a mild nuisance.
I felt a bit sick after half an hour of it.

Positives, and I got a new yearly tick, a pair of Red-legged Partridge (#116) in an open field around the park. Handsome birds, always glad to see them.

Elsewhere, strange entry yesterday on the rarities news...

"11:30 01/04/07: the East Yorkshire Red-flanked Bluetail corpse will be on show in Kilnsea at the Crown and Anchor pub car park at mid-day"

That's pretty macabre twitching if you ask me!