A Duck Trap

Some of the bird ringers are ready to go when they receive a call that there are 'ducks' in the duck trap on another site.  It has been quite busy with seven new Moorhen ringed in a single evening. 

Apparently Moorhen wriggle, have big feet with claws, that can cause a good scratch.  Unfortunately I don't have a photograph showing the feet so I will have to leave it to your imagination that there are two large feet under each Moorhen chick!

Ducks on the other hand are calm and sit still and quiet.

When the female Mallard has young she usually keeps them close until they are older, then they spread out in line astern.

Moorhen and Mallard are easily seen on the lake at Foxglove and sometimes on the grassy area under the Wildfowl Feeding Platform.  In easrly spring they are joined by Greylag Geese and their young.

Little Grebe kept us entertained throughout the summer.  Focus, click and no Little Grebe.  They dive quickly and surface a distance away from where they went underwater.  Patience was needed to obtain a photograph.