Hunting for Great Crested Grebes

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.