cormorant

The couple of semi-resident Cormorants spend most of their day log-loafing, but when they go fishing – they go fishing! Sadly this battle royal ended with a fatally wounded fish that the bird left at the bottom of the lake. Cormorants have earned themselves a reputation with fishermen for this sort of behaviour – it seems their eyes are very often bigger than their stomachs.

Not a lot else going on this morning but it’s heartening to see the Great Crested Grebes are staying put this year after their long absence last summer. Their first brood are still about but are more or less self-sufficient now so it’s possible that a second may be on the cards with plenty of time left.

grebe family

After pulling their disappearing act for a couple of weeks it’s good to see the Great Crested Grebe family are still in one piece. All four youngsters are doing well but will continue to make demands on their parents for a good while yet even though their submarine skills are developing fast.

Not much else to report except that two heron nests are still occupied and a Common Tern continues to visit the lakes. The regular male Great Spotted Woodpecker at the feeding station was prowling around for a free lunch again this morning and certainly earned his nuts with some beautiful poses.

  

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.

bridge royd wood

 I’ll be away for a while and the bluebells might well be past their best by my return. They’re not quite there just yet but still a sight to behold at Bretton right now.

Warblers were keeping a low profile this morning with the Garden variety particularly scarce. Both Willow Warbler (above) and Chiffchaff seem well into their breeding cycle already – this bird was preoccupied with driving rivals from it’s territory whilst his mate sat tight in the brambles below.

The Great Crested Grebes have decided to build their nest on the site of last year’s – right in front of the hide - so another chance of obtaining cute family shots may well be possible after all. The Mute Swans too are incubating in a favoured spot, which keeps the male very busy dispersing the Canadas all over the lake – hilarious stuff!

hundred up

A typically brief encounter with a Woodcock this morning took my total number of bird species recorded at Bretton to one hundred. I don’t know which one of us was the more terrified as my right foot nearly squashed the invisible snoozing wader. By the time I’d regained my composure the bird was half way to the horizon –  so not even a record shot I’m afraid.

One of the three remaining Mute Swan cygnets on Upper Lake

Great Crested Grebe on Upper Lake

It was back to normal on the de-iced lakes and a dose of bright sunshine for an hour almost hinted at winter’s demise, but despite noting two separate pairs of Collared Doves nest building this week, it’s far from over.

Blue Tit by the Upper Lake hide

Tufted Ducks on Upper Lake

Todays Roll call: Great Crested Grebe (2), Grey Heron (2), Mute Swan (5), Mallard (15), Pochard (4), Tufted Duck (9), Moorhen (1), Coot ( 6), Blackheaded Gull (50+), Wood Pigeon (30+), Kingfisher (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2), Wren (2), Robin (2), Blackbird (25+), Mistle Thrush (1), Redwing (4), Long-tailed Tit (8+), Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (6), Great Tit (6), Nuthatch (4), Treecreeper (1), Jay (2), Magpie (2), Jackdaw (30+), Rook ( 45+), Carrion Crow (3), Chaffinch (4), Goldfinch (3), Siskin (80+)

at summer’s end

September is arguably the most spectacular month at Bretton with it’s unique combination of light and colour. But for the naturalist, with flora dying back and migrant birds departing, it’s a quiet place - a place in limbo, waiting for those first frosts to finally put paid to the summer. The woodland is almost devoid of birdsong now - only the territorial Robin and ebullient Wren keep their voices in battle-readiness for the winter struggle.

Nuthatch & Coal Tit at Bretton Lakes YWT Reserve

From under the thinning canopy, acorns are released without the assistance of even the slightest breeze to rain painfully down on the unsuspecting. Ripening beech-mast attracts hundreds if not thousands of itinerant Woodpigeons whilst resident grey squirrels work ceaselessly in an attempt to harvest enough of the bounty for the dark months ahead. And thankfully it’s once more time to go to the park armed with a rather more exotic source of nutrition as moulting tits and finches change their dietary requirements due to the increasing lack of protein on the menu. A mixed bag of ground seed from the supermarket does the trick and despite warm, still conditions this morning they were queuing up for the stuff! A couple of natural perches just outside the hide are ideal for birds waiting their turn and photos too of course.

Kingfisher at Bretton Lakes YWT Reserve

It wasn’t long before Nuthatches plus Coal, Blue & Great Tits were joining me for a spot of breakfast indoors. A Wood Mouse and Common Shrew paid brief visits today, though as ever were too quick for me. Both species are frequently to be found in and around the hide at this time of year as the brambles growing along side are a decent source of fruit and insects.  

Dunnock & Little Grebe at Bretton Lakes YWT Reserve

Two drake Pochards were recently arrived, representing the first of hopefully many wintering fowl. Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler and of course Goosander should be putting in some time here over the coming weeks and with any luck a repeat performance from last year’s Mandarin. Also on the lake the Kingfishers continue to entertain and seem to love their newly created perch. Little Grebes are at their most numerous right now with this year’s offspring venturing much nearer the hide than their worldly-wise parents dare.