O
Little Grebe / tachybaptus ruficollis. Derbyshire. 02/04/19.
This little ball of wispy feathers, a male bird I think, was loafing at the canal side. Just behind him, obscured by overhanging vegetation, was his mate and moments earlier, I had watched her swimming with a beak full of soggy reeds, then disappearing from view. They seem to have found a beautifully concealed nesting site.
They were very active during the time I watched them. Both dived a lot, catching Caddis Fly larvae exclusively. The male gave a few bursts of manic whinnying calls, and the female carried three lots of nesting material across the water, accompanied closely each time by the male.
I wish them luck in raising a healthy family. Hopefully I can return later and check them out.
O
Little Grebe / tachybaptus ruficollis. Derbyshire. 02/04/19.
This little ball of wispy feathers, a male bird I think, was loafing at the canal side. Just behind him, obscured by overhanging vegetation, was his mate and moments earlier, I had watched her swimming with a beak full of soggy reeds, then disappearing from view. They seem to have found a beautifully concealed nesting site.
They were very active during the time I watched them. Both dived a lot, catching Caddis Fly larvae exclusively. The male gave a few bursts of manic whinnying calls, and the female carried three lots of nesting material across the water, accompanied closely each time by the male.
I wish them luck in raising a healthy family. Hopefully I can return later and check them out.