Long awaited update

I finally managed to get down to the canal after a week of being poorly.  Naturally, it started pouring with rain as soon as I got there, so no new photos today.  In the downpour I was soon soaked to the skin so I didn't stay long but here is what I found.

One of the Aylesbury ducks seems to be in a bad way.  He is limping  badly, all his tail feathers and many of his wing feathers have gone.  Must have been some fight.  He is sticking close to his brother and the remaining blue Swedish duck. The RSPCA don't want to get involved.  All I can do is make sure it gets fed.  No sign of the youngsters today.

photography by AnnMackieMiller: copyright 2011
Aylesbury Ducks

Smudge was around, being chased by a male but with no babies!  I have no idea what has happened to them.
 Either they have fallen foul of predators or she has abandoned them.

'Smudge'
by AnnMackieMiller; copyright 2011

It took me a while to find my moorhens but I was relieved to find both adults and both juveniles around.  It looks as if there are only 3 chicks left though.

The white geese are back together, flocking close now the breeding season is over.  They seem to spend a lot of time up in the high field so I couldn't count heads.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to spend longer down there.