Psilos
Bird Journal |
Monday 10th
April 2006 |
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"The
Rrrr factor" |
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One week ago at
martinmere I was concerned that the Hawaiian geese had largely failed
this year in producing many goslings as there was only one pair with
youngsters. Today though all my fears proved foundless as there were
six pairs with goslings. Sadly though the very first pair who had four
goslings now only have two but they seem to be going from strength to
strength. |
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The gosling above is one of
the first to be born this year. This week he took to the water for the
first time. He is about three weeks old. |
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Reproduction is certainly the
main business at the moment with many pairs of moorhens and coots sitting.
In the collection the Coscoroba swans are also sitting on eggs |
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...and also deep in the reed
beds I could just see a Swan goose also sitting on a nest. Last year
the only pair that produced goslings mated with a bar headed goose so
it will be interesting to see what happens this summer. |
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and of course the
Mallards have been very busy. I spent alot of time watching and photographing
two large broods the largest of which had fourteen ducklings. |
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Golden mallard ducklings are
common though it is rare that more than one is produced per brood. Sadly
these stand out and are more prone to attack by predators and other
females mallards |
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Im afraid I am guilty today
of having a very soft heart and spent most of my time watching these
lititle beauties. Needless to say I came home with very many photographs
of them. To see more visit my features page HERE. |
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For most of the afternoon I
was also followed and watched keenly by this male Black swan. The female
is sat on her nest but sadly this male is too old and infertile to produce
any young. I do wish theyd get a younger one for the poor female. |
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