Tuesday 22 February 2022

Stormy Monday - T-Bone Walker

Relates to yesterday, and like the proverbial clouds it seem even the unrelenting Storm Franklin had something to offer as after having searched both the Southern Sector and the Solar Panel Compound and drawing pretty much a Blank, a surprise awaited on reaching the 2 Ponds. At the

Irrigation Pond
were found c2 'adult' Little Grebe, at this traditional nesting sight, with
both being 'vocal' and showing signs of 'display'.
As if the Storm had herded them all into the Gravel Pit, on arrival was more like a visit to the Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust, Gloucestershire, and being met by
c2 inward bound
CANADA GEESE
landing on the Island and which have also bred close by with the lone
COOT
hopefully due to attract a partner soon - another regular breeder.
While there were c4 pairs on the pond on the day
(male)
(female)
it has never been the way of the TEAL to nest here, but we live in hope, while c3 female
SHOVELER
still remain but with males as rare as me getting the drinks in!
On the other hand MALLARD have always been prolific nesters at all suitable sites with this male already looking to be in full breed attire, in what little sunlight there was, and while this single
EGYPTIAN GOOSE,
a 'tree nester', usually favour the Moors River they do occassionally gather here, and on the Irrigation Pond with their youngsters in tow. The same might be said of the
GADWALL
which are also reluctant, but strangely have brought off young on the Main Pond very close to Civilisation?