grebes on the brink

Just days to go now before the happy event and both adult Great Crested Grebes are in continuous close attendance. The four eggs have been incubated through fair weather and foul for over three weeks in a nest placed at last year’s partially successful site.

 It is noticable with grebes of several species that placement of the nest is important to maximize the benefits gained by close proximity to other territorial birds. Black-necks for example will nest within a Black-headed Gull colony for the protection it affords them and I can’t help thinking that this pair of Great Crests have deliberately chosen to be as near to the local Mute Swan pair as possible.   

Butterfly numbers are on the increase and numerous Green-veined Whites, Small Tortoiseshells and my favourite  Orange Tips were surprisingly approachable. In Menagerie Wood the Garden Warblers are finally back on territory, some two weeks behind schedule.  Most Grey Heron chicks are wing-exercising now and will be ready for their maiden flights any day. So whilst many small passerines are just starting their cycle, these tree-top giants are nearing the end of their’s for another year with  summer barely started.   

 

Two Tawny Owl chicks were calling vociferously from very near the path through Bridge Royd Wood this  morning but whilst photos would have been possible of the grounded owlets, my self-preservation gene told me to keep walking. Stories of curious folk losing eyes whilst trying to help ’stranded’ Tawny chicks are well documented. The parent birds are always watching and will viciously attack anything regardless of size that gets within a yard or two of their offspring.