Painshill Park Great Crested Grebes - 2nd pair have eggs!

It's been a while since I went local patch birding or visiting anywhere local even. So today, eventually I managed to get over to Painshill for a check-up on the Grebes.

But on my way around the lake, (and having been advised by a friend there) I came across the "other couple". This pair had never seemed to quite get the hang of the weed dancing or nest building but at some point they must have done, as they are now nesting. I say "they" but in the entire time I was watching, I only ever saw (whom I presume to be) the female.

She was sitting quietly when I arrived. The nest is completely out in the open with no protection whatsoever and is about 20 feet from the lake's bank.

Although she was sitting contentedly this soon changed as a couple of Mute Swans swam past. Although they took no interest in the Grebe she was immediately on the defensive.

Making an aggressive rasping noise she opened her beak threateningly in the direction of the nearest swan.

They were rather close!

Eventually they swam away and Mrs. Grebe got off her nest for a swim revealing 4 eggs.

She swam and dived and eventually came back to the nest - had a quick look - and swam off again.

In the meantime some Canada Geese arrived to take up their place on the lake.

and finally Mrs. Grebe returned and settled down to the task of incubation.

Where Mr. Grebe was I've no idea... I didn't see him at all despite looking further up and down the lake.

I then went over to the other side and found our original two youngsters - and my, have the grown. They were calling constantly which made finding them so much easier.

One parent found a "tiddler" which was promptly fed to a youngster.

At this point, Major gave chase to Minor - thrashing through the water like a power boat!

Over on the bank, serentity was personified by a grooming Mute Swan

acting like a contortionist.

More fishing ensued and this time I thought, wrongly as it turned out, it was a parent's turn for a meal. The fish seemed far too big for a little beak and throat but, it turned out, it was not too big at all!!

And with several gulps, the fish became a youngster's meal.

You can see the "lump" of the fish as it goes down!

So the little ones seem to be doing OK which is great! :D But the new nest - if Dad doesn't reappear - may not last. She spent a couple of few-minute sessions of the nest so the eggs were quite exposed and cooling. time will tell!