Rapheal Park
Tuesday, 13. May 2008, 08:37:22
Yesterday On my way into uni I decided to take the long route via rapheal park to see if I could see any great crested grebe young. The pair there did have young and they were riding on one of their parents backs, but were unfortunatly on the other side of the lake. I did however catch the other parent catch a fish 
I came across the pair of Canada geese with goslings but they only had one left. Further down there was a small creche, with 2 pairs and 7 goslings. They were sitting on the bank in the sun after being chased previously by yet another dog of its lead - its a matter of time until a small dog is attacked or even drowned by a swan or goose defending its young...Anyeay hes a photo of the creche with two young out of view
I got some closer shots of the goslings
Unfortunately some idiot decided to (after looking at me taking photos walk between me and them, before walking right up to them and letting her kid chase and try and catch a gosling! Maybe she wants her daughter to beat the dogs to a watery demise! To add insult to injury the parent then gave me that 'special' look they save for anyone that dares to take a camera within 100 yards of there child!
Apologises for that ranty bit, but I found it especially annoying since Im trying to get competition worthy photos which isn't always easy with a bridge camera! lol
Anyway back to the goslings. They thankfully didnt swim to the otherside of the lake and I managed a few more shots
As I was leaving I noticed this coot nest building
I then went on to regents park, but more on that later...
Do you think it would help to kindly (admittedly through gritted teeth) explain to the mother and child why they should not chase the wildlife? If they understood that and what you are doing, maybe they would be more respectful in thinking that they were helping you.
By cakkleberrylane, # 13. May 2008, 12:38:08
Hmm this post appears to be quite negative today! lol
By Ukwildlife, # 13. May 2008, 19:39:21
By cakkleberrylane, # 13. May 2008, 20:58:48
Anyway, cute goslings!
PS What course are you doing at uni?
By SittingFox, # 15. May 2008, 18:15:18
whats your course on? Where you studying?
By Ukwildlife, # 15. May 2008, 19:21:38
I've got a BSc in Ecology from the University of East Anglia. I haven't been able to get a paid job in that field but I have used my degree in other ways, and spent last summer out in Canada doing some non-official observations of black bears and their human neighbours. I'd like to get a PhD or an MSc at some point, most likely starting next year. But if it's a PhD it had better be on foxes or wolves. I couldn't spend three years looking at woodlice. One six week project was enough
By SittingFox, # 15. May 2008, 20:06:44
Ive heard good things about the UEA Ecology course. If you think getting and ecology job is hard try and get a paleontology job. I know a Dr. who is well respected in the field of Vertebrate palaeontology (and tetrapod zoology) has given lectures many times and talks at conferneces and even co organised one and can't even get to the interview stage! Hence Im doing the miceoplaaeo course as there are jobs in that - hopefully!
By Ukwildlife, # 15. May 2008, 21:27:20
Norwich is an excellent place to study ecology, given its location, and the university is great too, even if they did shut down Bio Cafe!
By SittingFox, # 16. May 2008, 07:03:10
Noye: Ive edited the post so the photos of the goslings now actually appear! lol
By Ukwildlife, # 16. May 2008, 07:57:39