Another Merganser (around Derwent Water)

Red-breasted Merganser

Time spent on and around the Lake the other day, produced a few pics of the on going reproduction of some of the birds in the area, although this Merganser was the odd one out.

Greylag Goose, there are great numbers of these on the Lake at the moment, but only 3 pair with young on view.

The look that says don't come any closer.

And its always nice to see a few of these, Mallard.

On the West side of the Lake, a mate of mine works at a small estate called Fawe Park (which has some connection to Beatrix Potter) , and I was informed  that a Spotted Flycatcher had nested on one of his window sills. Unfortunately by the time I got over there, I was only just in time to see the last fledgling leave the nest.

The nest is right up against the glass, sort of behind the chick and the white pot.

 

Its thinking about it.

Last shot before it disappeared into the near-by trees

Thank you for looking in, Linking to WBW.http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.co.uk/

Aliens at Leighton Moss

Had another visit to Leighton Moss on Tuesday, making the most of the good weather we are having at the  moment, this Little Egret was on view from the Alan hide

and while watching it, I got thinking about some of the things I had seen today and in the past , aliens at Leighton Moss.

Its not that many years ago we could never have dreamed of seeing Little Egret at Leighton Moss or

Avocets
 another bird which are now regular visitors to the area, and well established as a breading species. And although not seen on this occasion, but  from the archives-------

Spoonbill, this pic taken from the Eric Morecambe hide, another bird that is being seen on a fairly regular basis.

And on or near the feeders these too are seen----------

The Collared Dove one of the most successful colonisers.

 The Grey Squirrel, an invader to our shores, and one we would rather be without, the powers that be are fighting hard to try and keep it from taking over the whole of the lake District but with limited success.

And this little chap, the  result of successful breading from two of these------------

Black-headed Gull, now taking over in three areas at Leighton.

Also I don't think these have always resided at Leighton, but are now seen quite often,------

Three Red Deer hinds, seen on Tuesday from the Grizedale hide.

There are no doubt other examples, but I can't bring any to mind as I write this post.

Linking to WBW AT http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.co.uk/

Grebes but not the Derwent ones

Great Crested Grebe but this time Leighton Moss not Derwent water, As far as we can see the Derwent water Grebe is still sitting on nest but at the moment the lake is too low for the launch to go into a couple of the landings, so can't get a good view

so in the mean time I decided to  post some pics I took the other day at Leighton Moss

There was just the one Grebe on view, so I am assuming that this is the male and the female is out of sight somewhere on a nest. However if we stick with that line then this little fella seems to be a bit of a cross dresser.

If you see what I mean

Does my bum look big in this ?

Merganser lift off

Red-breasted Merganser, quite contented, swimming, and enjoying a spot of diving, till a boat came by and disturbed it,

and it lifted off, pics taken on a recent visit to Derwentwater near Keswick.

 

Hope you like them , thank you for looking in

Linking to Stewart at WBWhttp://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.co.uk/

Eider Ducks on Walney Island

 Male Eider

In the past Walney was also a noted place for breading Eiders, so it goes without saying that they too have suffered the same problems as the Gulls. Unfortunately they tend not to nest in colonies like the Gulls so are not as easily protected.

Its quite sad really as they are such a smart bird, particularly the male.

 

As is usually the case, the female is quite drab, being a ground nester, and very often on open ground , she needs all the camouflage she can get.

I couldn't make out weather the head gesture was for me or her 2 escorts.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, defending it territory

Had a trip down to Walney Island yesterday to see if there was much about, it came as a bit of a shock. Stewart if you are reading this and visited Walney any time in the 70s and 80s you would know that the reserve at the South end of the Island held in the region of approx 30,000 breading pairs of gulls, Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Sadly this is no longer the case, and numbers have been reduced dramatically, so that only a fraction of that number now breed there.
      Predation is the main reason for the decline, Fox and Badgers being the culprits. But other factors enter the equation , one being that the local land fill has been closed, and this brought to an end a good sauce of food.

Herring Gull

Last year it was decided to put an electric fence round the 2 main nesting areas, and this met with a good deal of success, and over a thousand chicks fledged, these where the first to do so in many many years.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull on nest

       

Herring Gull

Herring Gull nest at the side of the track.

Again Herring Gull on nest 

At great distance !!! Ring Plover

Also at great distance, Little Tern, there was about 20 or so flying up and down the beach.

And that's about it for the time being, hope you enjoy, and thank you for looking in.

  Linking to Stewart at Wild bird Wednesday  http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.co.uk/