I've got my grandson staying today so my trips out are a bit curtailed. Did manage a quick trip around the Boating Pond in Bushey Park. My daughter had advised me that the Grebe pair were around their nest yesterday. Today? No sign of them anywhere. I do hope they've not left. A coot seemed to be occupying the nest and the platform the Grebes used the other day was gone!
I got chatting with Mark (who I'd met there a few weeks ago) and then we were joined by another birder who came from Sussex. By now, my young man was getting restless so we headed off home.
Not much out of the ordinary but did manage just a few pics.
Lazy male Mallard
As one Coot left the nest the other was waiting to take over. I couldn't see any eggs but I'm presuming from their behaviour that there were some there. I shall keep my eye on it!
The water was lit by bright but hazy light so the reflections were good.
Another coot (there seem to be dozens of them about this year!)
and a male and female Mandarin enjoying a snooze the spring sunshine
That's it for today.
G-Force
14 hours ago
13 comments:
that mandarin male is an impressive duck looks more like a piece of china
Sheila
Sheila - they do have amazing feather colouring - looks more like the birds have been sculpted than feathers grown!
Exactly what I was going to say, they really are extraordinary looking birds. Nice photos again.
Coots and mandarins, both a real treat on my patch, not seen the latter yet this year.
Your photography is beautiful Tricia.....
Have fun with little man......
A really super new header photo Tricia.
Interesting about the coots occupying the nest used first by the grebes. Is this usual? Do they make their own nests sometimes?
The male mandarin is a beauty. Lovely pictures.
ShySongbird - thanks.
Warren - in the spot I saw them, the Mandarins seem to be around mainly in Spring and Summer
Cheryl - thank you
Roy - thanks - the sun was lighting the ducklings so well!
Mick - I have a feeling that the coots might have started the nest. If so and the GC Grebes took it over I imagine the Coots would have acted quiete aggressively. I shall be returning as much as I can to keep an eye on this.
I don't know if this is typical or not - will have to research this.
OC - Thanks - they are lovely birds.
love the new header.
Excellent postings Tricia, nice to see the Mandarins, they really are stunners.
The new headers is a winner as well.
I've Long Tailed Tits on my posting today
Tom
Wiggers World
Fabulous shot of the Mandarins, Tricia.
Thanks ST and Tom - just luck with the sinking sun for the header picture (I'll be popping over Tom)
Hi Graham - and thanks :) I like the "spectacles" on the female!
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