Psilos Bird Journal
Monday June 9th2008
     
"Coming on strong"
 
Plenty of signs that the next generation of birds at Doffcocker are thriving. The one Great crested Grebe chick is still alive and the tern chicks have really grown big since I last saw them.
     

     
Fishing trips are increasing with the parents coming back with many more fish. Unlike with grebes who often try feeding fish that are far too big to their young the terns seem to bring back fish that are far more in proportion to the size of their chicks.


 
At one point a pair of terns returned and landed in the grass behind me. The bird without the fish instantly started to beg to be fed but all was in vain as the bird flew away with the food back to the chicks. In the end though the bird spent so long dipping it into the water to wash it that he lost it!
 
As ever there was plenty of fighting and squabbling on the raft. Often the birds fly and come and rest of the perch close by to where I sit and carry on the dispute from a safe distance.
 
The birds arrival at the post always fascinates me and this straight back view I thought showed the wonderful symmetry of their plumage.
 
 
Black headed gull juveniles are also fledging now from a very large breeding colony close by and I saw one or two around the lodge. They didnt really come close enough for a very good photograph but Im sure there will be plenty of other opportunities in the weeks to come.
 
 
Then I was delighted to see that one clutch of Canada Geese goslings had escaped the egg smashers. From across the lodge they swam to be attracted by offers of bread further across the water. But being the patient soul that I am knew that they would turn up eventually as where I was sat was a favoured bathing spot. Indeed half an hour later they joined me and was delighted to get some gorgeous views of them. You can keep all your are birds I just love to photograph ducklings and goslings of any kind.
 
 
 
 
 
and then along came a woman and her dog and scared them all away!