Thanks to Carine and Thiti for photos and forcing this to happen (Note: much wildlife not included as tricky to get close enough with camera!) Also thanks to Paul Stephenson for lending his prize copy of "Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds" by R.S.R. Ritter and Illustrated by R.A. Richardson (1966) Also, for good local urban Texas wildlife pictures, check out Devorah's Pad at http://www.ccsi.com/~devorah/; Pictures of Mute Swans: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/fkrahmer/swans.htm and http://www.moorhen.demon.co.uk/swans.htm
Image	Description
	Mallard Ducks resting on the Laboratory Side of the Canel

Heron and human canal angler side by side fishing.

Swallows Congregate around the NSF tower. (Note that none of these European swallows seem to have equipped themselves for co-operative carrying of coconuts to be used as Arthurian cloppers) The swallows are a bit too fast at lapping at the water on the canal for the camera to catch, but can be fun to watch while eating at the canteen.

Fast flying Swallow over the canal Fast flying Swallows over the canal

Bees on flowers. Quite numerous and busy along the canal during summer.

Bee on a Bramble/Blackberry flower (Rubus fruticosus agg)

Rabbit near the Darebsury Hostel

Rabbits on the edge of the field

More Mallard ducks on the Canal (in the distance)

Cat along Darsebury Firs Lane (not really wildlife but got to take what you can photo)

Nesting "Mute Swan" and NSF Tower Nesting "Mute Swan" and NSF Tower

Mute swan landing on the canal Mute Swan

Other "Mute" Swan on the Canal Other "Mute" Swan on the Canal

Heron Stalking fish on the canal and NSF Tower in the distance Heron Stalking fish on the canal and NSF Tower in the distance

Heron intensely stalking fish on the canal Heron swallowing its catch

Three Mallard Ducks along side the canal Three Mallard Ducks along side the canal

Hedgehog on the canal path at night Hedgehog on the canal path at night

Rabbits on the lawn of Daresbury Hall

Heron and Hawthorn bush along the canal Heron in the field beside the canal

Mute Swan Mute Swan and Cygnets

Pair of Mute Swans and Cygnets Black headed gull on morning patrol over the canal

Nesting Mute Swan on the Canal Nesting Mute Swan on the Canal and NSF Tower

Mute Swan on the canal Mute Swan on the canal

Mute Swan on the canal Mute Swan on the canal

Mother duck and duckling Mother duck and duckling

Mother Mallard Duck and duckings Mother Mallard Duck and duckings

Heron on the canal path Heron on the canal path

Moorhen (Thanks to Jon for ID. Refer: http://www.whom.co.uk/squelch/wildbirds.htm) Moorhen (Thanks to Jon for ID. Refer: http://www.whom.co.uk/squelch/wildbirds.htm)

One of a pair of coots on the Bridgewater Canal. Thanks to Adam Toft for this correction. (was mislabelled as "One of a pair of Greebs on the Bridgewater Canal" - correct spelling is grebes according to Adam) Other of a pair of coots on the Bridgewater Canal. Thanks to Adam Toft for this correction. (was mislabelled as "Other of a pair of Greebs on the Bridgewater Canal" - correct spelling is grebes according to Adam)

Animals seen but still left to Photo:

Fox, badger, squirrel, 2nd pair of swans (there are two separate pairs on the Bridgewater canal. Though they normally hang out near Murdishaw/Runcorn Marina), canal rats (mainly get them at night walking home), ferret(?), stoat(?), and things yet to be identified.

English magpie on top of a pine tree A tradition poem recited by Paul (about "European" magpies - not the crass colonial Australian ones): One for sorrow Two for joy Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told. Eight's a wish Nine's a kiss, Ten for something you must never miss. Refer to the complete poem at: http://www.zelo.com/family/nursery/oneforsorrow.htm Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 09:11:13 +0100 From: "Keith Ellis" Importance: Normal Subject: MAGPIE POEM To: Lachlan, Eight should read 'eights a wish' and then 'nines a kiss' I always count magpies and run this little ditty through my head. also to counter the sorrow fortold by spying 1 magpie you are meant to say 'good morning (afternoon etc) Mr Magpie' Keith Ellis

Black-headed Gulls, Swifts, House-Martins, Sky-Larks, Long-tailed Tits, Grey Wagtails and Swallows:

Swallows have two-prong fork like tails, rapier like wings and can been seen in summer flying low on the canal. Swifts tend to fly higher and have move conventional V-shape tails, and more lateral wings. Not sure about house-martins and swallows (but swallows supposedly keep making a lot of noise). Either Grey Wagtails or Long-Tail Tits display themselves on the lawn near the Daresbury Laboratory canteen in summer. Black-headed Gulls can be seen flying along the canal.

This England

"This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
 This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
 This other Eden, demi-paradise,
 This fortress built by Nature for herself
 Against infection and the hand of war,
 This happy breed of men, this little world,
 This precious stone set in the silver sea...
 This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England."


 William Shakespeare, 1564-1616, 
 Richard II, Act 2, Scene 1 
 (JOHN OF GAUNT (Duke of Lancaster) speaks)