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About ten years ago (for the millennium to be exact), a local farmer dug a large pond in the field next to our house and I was surprised how quickly wildlife took up residence. Over the last few years, Swans have looked at it with a view to nesting and I think one year they built a nest, but it didn't go any further.
This year a pair of swans has finally nested and stayed, and earlier this week we saw them with six signets. So we’ve paid a daily visit to monitor progress.
We’ve known there are Little Grebes (Dabchicks) on the pond, and have been for a few years – that distinctive whinnying sound especially at dusk, and the occasional glimpse of one before it dives and disappears.
Today on our trip to look at the Swans, we noticed a few (four maybe) tiny dark blobs scuttling about at the far edge of the pond by the reeds. I ran back for my binoculars (why didn’t I have them with me, and why didn’t I also bring the camera). On my return, we could clearly see that they were Dabchick chicks (with pale stripes on their heads), and – great joy – we saw the parents feeding them. It was the best view we’ve ever had of the Dabchicks, so I’m well chuffed. The mission is to creep down later with the camera to see if I can get a photo. I will post if successful – fingers crossed.
P.S. The Swans seem to be proud parents and bring the brood over towards us whenever we visit.
Hi FJ
It's amazing how quickly wildlife moves in when a suitable habitat is created. Looking forward to your photos - if you can creep quietly enough.
Regards TJ
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Regards,Tony
My Flickr Photostream
How lucky you are to have the little grebes nesting so near to your home. I hope you get your photograph. It always surprises me how swans will appear. We have a field by us which floods every winter and this year is still flooded and there are two swans still there.
Hi FJ,
What a great resource to have next door to you, and what a wonderful thing to see. I do hope you can manage some photos and I look forward to seeing them.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
In reply to Sparrow:
I managed to get a couple of not very good pictures. The first shows a parent Dabchick centre screen, while the second (very blurred unfortunately) is more definitely a Dabchick and has a chick in shot. The third is the swan chicks. My son is going to try later with his better zoom (I'm not blaming my camera). There is a barbed wire fence around the pond that prevents close access (probably a good thing), so it was max zoom with no tripod. There are Coots & chicks, Moorhens, Tufted Ducks and all sorts of pond insects. Brilliant.
In reply to FalcoJock:
My son made several trips to the pond and got a few good shots of the Little Grebe and chicks. I think this is the best one.
This one is a parent (mother?) feeding a chick.
Just seen this thread. How fantastic to have this just next door! Thank you for writing about it.
Lovely photos, it must be an amazing place to visit. Keep posting the photos! :-)
Kind regards Jane.
In reply to Goldcrest:
I agree with Jef great place to have next to your house and those youngsters are somethin else.
Thanks so much for sharing them
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Hi FalcoJack
I agree that it's a wonderful place to have next door. I'm envious.
Thanks for sharing the photos with us, the pond has done very well for you.
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
In reply to Woodpecker:
I'm glad your son managed to get some photos. It can't have been easy. Little grebes are such attractive birds especially whe they are in their full summer plumage. Thanks for showing them.
Wonderfull to have that right next door..........saves you having to travel miles for nature shots eh.......
beautifull picks too....
We had a business behind us and it closed and the land was used to build 5 private dwellings...there are at least 2 man made huge ponds that have geese,swans,ducks which we see fly in and out of daily and goddness knows what else..........
I love to sit in the back gardne and listen to them all first thing..........and they alwasy decide to take flight when my camera is INDOORS.........
THANKYOU FOR READING
SUE and LUCKY..just call me Mrs Early Bird.....x
Our house operate's soley for our animals and birds......Love me love my animals........