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Psilos Bird Photography |
Litte grebes A study of family life |
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Two days later and the smaller of the chicks
has gone. Seeing how vulnerable he was and how much the other chick
bullied him I really wasnt surprised. On previous days only the male
had been bringing back the food which consisted mainly of bits of pond
weed but now the female was feeding her chick too. This meant the chick
was left for much longer periods of time and the Moorhens were watching.... |
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This time I watched what the parents were
feeding thier chicks with interest. Even from early days their bigger
cousin the Great crested grebe feed fish to their young but this clearly
was not the case with the Little Grebes. Small water invertebrates such
as dragonfly nymphs and water grubs were clearly on the menu and were
eaten with great gusto! |
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Now that the parents were away for longer
periods the chick seemed to instinctively know to keep still and be
quiet. When mum came back and his hunger was satisfied he would still
seek refuge under her feathers for a little while even though he was
getting a bit big. |
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The chick is now six days old. |
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Having got most of the shots
I wanted for the day I left. Two days later I returned and the adults
and chick were nowhere to be seen. Up and down the canal I walked and
put a face to every youngster that was calling. Had they moved off territory
or had the chick finally succumbed like his siblings? I felt saddened
that I may never know the answer.... |
