Thought I'd check the breeding Terns, I was not disappointed.
22 Common Terns seen, including many juveniles, some not fledged yet, but may be more hidden from view on the 3 rafts.
plus Mute Swan 1 Adult Tufted Duck 9 Great Crested Grebe pair with 1 chick being fed. Canada Goose 50+ Reed Warbler 3 singing adult + 2 juv Sedge Warbler Swift 25 House Martin 2 Swallow 1
Good write up and info on the Common Terns at Doffcocker on Bolton Conservation Volunters website under MORE VOICES. You can also see the good work they do in this area, not just Bolton either.
Visited Doffcocker straight after Rumworth to see how many Common Terns were on as Rumworth had 23, was suprised to see at least 12 birds still around, including 5 well grown juvs and still 2 young chicks on the rafts, so looks like its been a good breeding season with birds on all 3 rafts
Also 17 Tufted & GC Grebe with 3 tiny young. Still Sedge & Reed warblers about.
this aft approx 8 pairs of common tern with chicks that have more or less fledged now,the young can just about fly. as i found out this afternoon,saw a young tern fall off the corner of the raft and float into the bank i was on with its parent screetching above it.I then spent an hour telling every child,dog walker,not to go near it as it may drown if it went back in,and just as the coast was clear and i thought i could safely leave,the juv tern,took flight and flew back to the raft ,as though it had done it many times befor
Maurice there are a couple of white domestic mallard type ducks on doffcocker plus a few other mixes besides. There are also 4 pairs of Common Terns and 2 pairs of Great crested grebes non so far who have bred. There is also now a new pair of Mute swans nesting after an absence of 3 years. Watched and photographed a series of matings. Have the bto numbers if anyone wants them. Not as yet heard any grasshopper warblers reeling but plenty of Sedge and reed warblers calling. As well as Blackcap, chiff chaff and willow warbler.
-- Edited by Annette Cutts on Friday 15th of May 2009 12:35:47 PM
min 6 Common Tern, 8 Tufted, 2 GC Grebe, several each of Swift, Swallow and House Martin hawking low over the water, one or two each of singing Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting
maurice, firstly welcome to the forum,your white duck is more than likely a farm yard duck gone wild or 'feral' as they say or some mallard /cross of which there are many (but a photo would be needed to start guessing its pedigree),as for birding principles i think you,ve got it taped,get out there and birdwatch.
cheers geoff
and yes I know it,s going to turn out to be a V***
a walk today around the reserve, forgive me but i am new to this site and the bird watching principles. there is a pure white duck, about the size of a mallard, and i just wondered what it is, i can't find it in my RSPB reference book.
