1st June. The pair of Great Crested Grebes that nested on the smaller lake are this evening feeding at least two youngsters. The male bird brought what I thought was a rather large fish item to one of the young as it dropped onto the water to be fed. The adult bird did its best to break down the fish to a manageable scale, as the youngster tried valiantly, but unsuccessfully on several occasions to swallow it. The adult bird finally decided to swallow it itself, as the hungry and possibly confused youngster climbed up onto the female's back and settled under her plumage again.
This is not our 'original pair' producing, but I'd like to think it is their offspring. Hopefully more good news to come later!
Sedge Warbler/s sang from the reed-bed as only a handful of Swifts and House Martins fed over the lake. Very different from last weekend when I estimated over one hundred Swifts were present in the evening.
Very nice to hear! I look forward to hearing more.
ReplyDeleteCheers Mark. There's more below.:-)
Deletei called past briefly on Thursday before picking up the missus from work and estimated there to be over 80 Swifs that day. Are there young expected soon on the larger lake Brian ?
ReplyDeleteBeen large numbers of Swifts about the lake this year John.
DeleteNext week or two for the larger larger lake. I've hesitated to mention them too much, as whilst I only have it on hearsay there has been some disturbance leading to nest abandonment on at least three occasions. I know the first eggs were lost, maybe to natural causes, but the disturbance I have heard about hasn't all been natural. As I say, hearsay only and I have often been fed misleading information by casual watchers about the grebes over the years so I treat what ever I'm told with caution.
That's sad news. I saw at least one egg weeks ago now, that's why i asked. I hope our local lens pointers haven't been trying too hard. I've observed that they will put up with human activity quite well.............WITHIN REASON.
ReplyDeleteAs you know John this pair are well used to human company and I have to say that the growing numbers of photographers have always acted sensibly when I've been around. I think in many ways it is good that we have so many keeping an eye on the birds, so as to ward off a minority of idiots. You may remember me mentioning the guy last year that allowed his dog to wade into the nest area. I think most folk remain oblivious to the grebes and many think they are just another 'pair of ducks'. Anyway this pair of GCGs don't give up easily.:-)
ReplyDelete