Psilos Bird Journal
Saturday May 2nd 2009
     
"A good show"
 
 
Well today I went out just to watch and not particularly expecting great things and what a wonderful show I got. Having changed the perches at Mere sands wood yet again the resident kingfisher seems to have settled to it nicely and was showing really well.
Hovering quite close by many times over the course of the afternoon he managed to catch several small fish. He bashed them and then held them in his mouth tail first as he was obviously going to present the fish to his mate who must be sitting on eggs and she can only swallow the fish head first. I h ope they manage to have a good season.
The kingfisher wasnt the only bird nesting nearby. A pair of long tailed tits and a pair of Bull finch were nesting in the gorse out in front of the hide. The female bullfinch was sitting on eggs but every half hour or so she would emerge and go off in search of food. The male at this time would also appear calling softly but for the rest of the time he was off foraging. Also behind us a pair of jays were nesting. Their raucous shriek could often be heard through the woods and they also liked to use the post the kingfishers were using
Out front a robin can also regularly be heard calling and staking his territory. Then when he was satisfied that he was king of his patch he would dive back into the undergrowth.
Out front a little grebe was busy looking for food. Only saw the one bird and he was quite vocal so maybe his mate is sat on a nest somewhere nearby too.
 
New life is springing up everywhere and with no bird is this more obvious than the Mallard. Always quick to start a family I saw at least three seperate females with young ducklings. For me they are always a delight to watch.

 
 
Whilst watching the kingfishers other birds came and went. A rather tame grey heron came and landed nearby twice. He must have not been too hungry though for he made no serious attempt to fish. I just hope he doesnt spot the ducklings or they will make easy pickings for him. Another pair of ducks to fly in was the Tufted duck. Thinking they were Mallards I watched them fly right in front of me and then land. I scolded myself on my lack of effort as that would have been an ideal opportunity to photograph this bogey bird of mine. Nice and close, lovely blue sky what better opportunity did I need and I went and missed it. My luck did hold in the end though. After about an hour the male decided he wanted to try pastures new and he flew out leaving the female behind. This time I was ready for him. You can see the shots I got better in my flight gallery.
 
 
The evening was beginning to draw in, the sun was slowing sinking and the Canada geese were getting restless. Who knows where they were going to roost but slowly they all flew out too. Flying right past my hide it was a fitting end to a very good day.