Two species of feral birds loomed large at the mouth of the Doon on 8 September just before the announcement came that the Queen had died. Both species are native to Commonwealth countires from opposite ends of the world. First, offshore was a large flock of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). They seem to be present in much greater numbers than, say, 10 years ago. Second, feeding in the freshwater outflow were two Black Swans (Cygnus atratus). Native to Australia they are the result of escapes, like the Canada Geese, from waterfowl collections. There are now small - as yet - breeding populations in UK.
Black Swans in the mouth of the Doon, Ayrshire
8 September 2022
Part of a flock of Canada Geese off the mouth of the Doon, Ayr
8 September 2022
Further evidence of introductions during the the anthropocene as I arrived back home: Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and a Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in the garden.
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