Yes, it's already that time of year when the little ones start to pop up. Anyone can add photos or stories regarding this years young.
(I don't think anyone else has already started this for 2019 but let me know if there is one somewhere that I missed)
Last year's thread is HERE
At Marshside yesterday I was surprised to see a couple of young Mallards with mum and dad but then today I saw another Mallard mum trying to herd 7 little ones who were doing a fine impression of random particles, heading in every direction as fast as they could possibly go. I suspected disaster when they passed in striking distance of a fishing Heron, but Mum put herself noisily in the way at the last moment and the Heron didn't try to get past her.
From the Stour in Blandford a couple of days ago, local concern because of the otters that live nearby
Unknown said:Hazel, I love the little GTs! First pic: 'How long, O Lord?!...' Second pic: 'I'm starving--what took you so long with that mealworm?!' Third pic: 'Well...?!' Fourth pic: 'Help! Anybody?! My parents are trying to starve me to death!'
LOL Ann, great captions and all very apt when comparing to the photos. I've never seen so many birds in the garden, our various tit members have had a baby boom although smaller groups generally of around 7 or 8 chicks and probably a few of those disappear within days of fledgling, however, the ones that survive look pretty healthy stock with demanding attitude when it comes to food - you can hear them throughout the day chirruping up in the tall oaks and beach trees lol You should see it here in the morning when the first bowls of mealworms goes out - the birds descend from everywhere and it's like Charing Cross station as they nip in and out for supplies ! It's such a beautiful time of year, my favourite in the garden when I see all the new birdlife.
In the garden today