tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53743524578420938212024-02-07T18:38:18.568-08:00British BirdsPhotographer and bird lover AnnMackieMiller presents views of British birds in their natural habitats. Photographic series and information on the behaviour of common garden birds and rarer species.AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-52216963689854599182022-11-16T03:29:00.001-08:002022-11-16T03:30:24.660-08:00Starling Murmuration Over Kinnordy Loch Kirriemuir Scotland<p><b> Starling Murmuration over Kinnordy Loch</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyyxmZhJ6R0i5bLV2w4wSPvWVwc3Dqu58a9s6gzJFk1vUTmKAf_hLk_lPtCx3XE9YVuckCNiJGYO76rlynWDy-ZkBr0KIbZbx7XpM1WnVEONzmacuIx7eCOcZhxPZ_U0Nj_3p0Z_RaRtdWwXpMiLo6ckAbG_ZJPDUaH0wUW1nPbUlJ8MTvfbnUQMC/s720/starling%20murm%20009%20compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="720" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyyxmZhJ6R0i5bLV2w4wSPvWVwc3Dqu58a9s6gzJFk1vUTmKAf_hLk_lPtCx3XE9YVuckCNiJGYO76rlynWDy-ZkBr0KIbZbx7XpM1WnVEONzmacuIx7eCOcZhxPZ_U0Nj_3p0Z_RaRtdWwXpMiLo6ckAbG_ZJPDUaH0wUW1nPbUlJ8MTvfbnUQMC/s320/starling%20murm%20009%20compressed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Watching a starling murmuration is something few would forget. While not in their thousands the starlings coming into roost at Kinnordy Loch are well worth a visit. This particular evening a few birds first swooped in over the back of the hide to be joined by others till then numbered about a thousand - I didn't count them. They dutifully performed their aerial ballet for me before swooshing down to the reeds. The sound of their wings as they come into land is beautiful. My photos don't do it justice.<p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>What is a Murmuration?</b></p><p>Regularly through the autumn starlings gather in huge flocks whirling and dipping in the sky in formations that confound the eye. Some think they gather in murmurations to attract other starlings, safety in numbers before they roost for the night. They are called murmurations after the sound made by hundreds of bird's wings and calls. </p><p>They typically pick reed beds to roost in and it is thought they gather like this to confuse predators; in tightly spaced acrobatics it is more difficult to pick out their prey although a murmuration is itself a target for birds of prey. When one appears the ball of birds becomes ever denser. Moving swiftly, they can fly up to 50 miles an hour, and constantly changing direction and shapes confuses the hunters. </p><p>There doesn't seem to a single bird direction operations instead it appears those in the centre see what is happening around them and follow. They constantly change position in the flock, the edges becoming the middle and back again. This may be a way of determining the strongest. When they suddenly swoop down to roost it is the strongest who come in last. They get to roost at the top of the reed while those above them must put up with their droppings. </p><p><b>Good Resources</b> </p><p>Following are good resources to check out if you want to know more about starling murmurations and see some spectacular videos. </p><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-flocks-of-birds-swoop-and-swirl-together-in-the-sky-a-biologist-explains-the-science-of-murmurations-176194" target="_blank">The Science of Murmurations</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/starling/starling-murmurations/" target="_blank">RSPB</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.lancswt.org.uk/blog/charlotte-varela/starling-murmuration-facts" target="_blank">Starling Murmuration Facts</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4f_1_r80RY" target="_blank">Murmuration with Sound</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_QoiC28w3PezZidjIGkHng5-Y6vvzO8aFSc1KGwhjXV-2G2jJZHTm4OnDdteJIoa5cJn4myjliBI-auPkiWNSQaVkZcGDOiIpIut4PPSftYldFHpvnidkA8ulSunAOz26uSWLnWTePDxOtGFVLbVoM2PA2PXzG7YXnNlH0b9IPOkewfojqMdbE2Y/s720/starling%20murm%20001%20compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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OK so I haven't been here for a while, only just realised it has been 2 YEARS! Yikes. Well just to let you know having spent time listening to David Lindo at Ilkley Literature Festival this weekend, it is time to dust off the camera and get clicking. If you don't know David Lindo is The Urban Birder of TV fame and is certainly an inspiration. OK - I'm may be a little biased since he used one of my photos of a herring gull in St Andrews fairly recently.<br />
Sooo watch this space!....<br />
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https://theurbanbirder.com/AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-82995669926239110082016-01-17T06:43:00.000-08:002016-01-17T06:49:45.198-08:00More Gannets at RSPB Bempton Cliffs<div class="module lens_intro " data-mod-pos="1" data-mod-type="intro" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; margin-top: 30px;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">SAVE BEMPTON CLIFFS FROM FRACKING!</span></h2>
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Photo journal of the Gannet colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire</h2>
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IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS NATURE RESERVE YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW - SIGN THE PETITION TO STOP FRACKING AT BEMPTON CLIFFS</h3>
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- AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. </h3>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.38px; line-height: 20.7px;">http://action.sumofus.org/a/SSSI-fracking/2/4/</span></span></h3>
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<br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">I am republishing this as a protest against the decision to allow fracking in this area - PLEASE HELP </span></span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR-jK_UVJKXNNxVoV0bDYSKI3c6XAcAkGCBLatWOK1B6K-yRlW26zURjM6FOrygKro1inaaOxKz4ML338_tP14v3RJZsRyu6VZsbYMNYsFPRgWhOdg-C8sogyK-SVjnlmNekBl1e6-3M/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0056+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gannets with Chicks at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR-jK_UVJKXNNxVoV0bDYSKI3c6XAcAkGCBLatWOK1B6K-yRlW26zURjM6FOrygKro1inaaOxKz4ML338_tP14v3RJZsRyu6VZsbYMNYsFPRgWhOdg-C8sogyK-SVjnlmNekBl1e6-3M/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0056+a.jpg" title="Gannets with Chicks at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannets with Chicks at RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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I can't see too many pictures of gannets - they are so elegant and so charismatic they are hard to resist. So - Here are more beautiful original photographs of nesting <b>North Atlantic Gannets</b> . Follow the gannet's progress and wonder at the many displays of affection these elegant birds take part in.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Watching the huge colony of breeding gannets at <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/%22http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Birdwatching-UK-Bempton-Cliffs-Yorkshire%22%22" rel="nofollow" style="color: #054679;" target="_blank">Bempton Cliffs</a> Yorkshire is a birder's idea of heaven. Some 2000 birds come back every year, to the same mate and the same nest site. The purpose-built viewing platforms provide a wonderful opportunity to document the gannet's behaviour. Of the hundreds of photographs I took at Bempton this year, it hasn't been easy to select only 25. These are some of favourites and I hope you enjoy them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwjbMsxQnbOyLgQXfXbqAqAII_yiEDheQHjr5CeqiDXUHQqvf4UjZkIBldgQLosynHn8kA_Vla53fPyO9uVjlklHMVPp0XhJviTM8C1dQrnzXDNsXuc_o83iABK-5zuGOM5VE_1UxrQs/s1600/gannet+005+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets RSPB Bempton Cliffs" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwjbMsxQnbOyLgQXfXbqAqAII_yiEDheQHjr5CeqiDXUHQqvf4UjZkIBldgQLosynHn8kA_Vla53fPyO9uVjlklHMVPp0XhJviTM8C1dQrnzXDNsXuc_o83iABK-5zuGOM5VE_1UxrQs/s1600/gannet+005+300dpi.jpg" title="adult gannets on cliff nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannets on the nest</td></tr>
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The Gannet is an elegant seabird, known as shorebirds in the Americas. They winter mainly in the warm waters off the coast of Africa but breeding adults return to coastal areas of Europe to nest. Interestingly, the juveniles leave the nesting areas when they fledge and join the adults around the Mediterrean. They will be about 3 years old before they return and they will not breed until they are around 10 years old. Juvenile gannets can be identified from the adults because they retain some black markings on body and wings, while breeding adults are pure white with black only on the wing tips and, of course, adults have that beautiful peachy blush on their head and nape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTMKPnO36_nq7LlY-rQPg2FXqVo0kG5Xgi41hyphenhyphenY3yRl7fKZ-pBUYEQDw5LyEUmfSVCkIUT976sps-w6avF-MNA3lDnmL0tPkTOnOuX3pfrwoJET69DAp7A6TNs2m4C9YAFQt6pxVLzJo/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="juvenile gannet in flight aged 3 years old" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTMKPnO36_nq7LlY-rQPg2FXqVo0kG5Xgi41hyphenhyphenY3yRl7fKZ-pBUYEQDw5LyEUmfSVCkIUT976sps-w6avF-MNA3lDnmL0tPkTOnOuX3pfrwoJET69DAp7A6TNs2m4C9YAFQt6pxVLzJo/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0384.jpg" title="juvenile gannet in flight" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Gannet about 3 years old</td></tr>
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The nest sites are packed close together on sheer cliff sides. Indeed, one often wonders how chicks and adults manage to maintain a foothold on the cliffs: there is hanging space only in places. In the original gannet pictures you see here, you can identify the youngest chicks as those being the whitest, except for the mud they collect from the seaweed in the nest of course. The darker the chick, the older it is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G46IUC8Gu76GSAOJgtGpuhLiFcQ8vJhv8XOLTaRipIwy-y6e99BYg8LtoKLc_U6SYCNTr-AAl7ELDQpjmsKmmnbLggHOoUMN7xsEAJsA0MZoQHfGa0aCWRQ6qjFAu7nZ_ingTtleEzI/s1600/gannet+001+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet preening with chick in nest" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G46IUC8Gu76GSAOJgtGpuhLiFcQ8vJhv8XOLTaRipIwy-y6e99BYg8LtoKLc_U6SYCNTr-AAl7ELDQpjmsKmmnbLggHOoUMN7xsEAJsA0MZoQHfGa0aCWRQ6qjFAu7nZ_ingTtleEzI/s1600/gannet+001+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="adult gannet with chick in nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult gannet with chick in nest -<br />
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Fluffy gannet chick with parent</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAvs5I0BNpA3QkIA6niocjVwG-5irKXyq8KtJxr9Z919w6-cX7hvv7RMuXUV62Tp30BkcT54QK04fZ2L7fs_ixjdDRg4GANaCuxBC8ym88GebWlYXl5-nGvR_yRHseTMmCDCX7-FFkwk/s1600/gannet+006+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannet and Gannet Chick on Cliff Nest" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAvs5I0BNpA3QkIA6niocjVwG-5irKXyq8KtJxr9Z919w6-cX7hvv7RMuXUV62Tp30BkcT54QK04fZ2L7fs_ixjdDRg4GANaCuxBC8ym88GebWlYXl5-nGvR_yRHseTMmCDCX7-FFkwk/s1600/gannet+006+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Adult Gannet and Gannet Chick on Cliff Nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannet and Gannet Chick on Cliff Nest</td></tr>
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<div class="module_intro" itemprop="description">
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The chick in the picture above is relatively young compared to this one </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIgB5iCFi1UMudnZJjtMVT4EjCgcdcYEhN2Xx6k8WnM8Wgn38xN5KdgKgat7zpUCODZllGJYiAlKkL2ZijH2fiZGT4O8IxDETu0zsjanZ76lkap3nDPsl1WUshYjcaKncVPMRbcT76-M/s1600/gannet+003+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannet with Gannet Chick on Cliff Edge Nest" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIgB5iCFi1UMudnZJjtMVT4EjCgcdcYEhN2Xx6k8WnM8Wgn38xN5KdgKgat7zpUCODZllGJYiAlKkL2ZijH2fiZGT4O8IxDETu0zsjanZ76lkap3nDPsl1WUshYjcaKncVPMRbcT76-M/s1600/gannet+003+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Adult Gannet with Gannet Chick on Cliff Edge Nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannet with Gannet Chick on Cliff Edge Nest</td></tr>
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<div class="module_intro" itemprop="description">
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</section><section class=" module textmodule " data-lazyload="no" data-lmi="151861037" data-mod-pos="3" data-module-type="textmodule" id="module151861037" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; margin-top: 30px;"><div class="module_inner">
<h3>
Adult gannets in bonding, preening and greeting rituals</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FPhhSXfRWF2C1OSKGaRqplyb_uoVt9FCuSEunCRTczRvNfgQa1WLsyHuwhQ_uFla9GgmeP4ZBiXdCTKTZ5OKa3mDI5TmH3lV3jxql5W4MoOs9e1ZVMVnLpSyXT1EmzO3VeaWk2N0waA/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets display" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FPhhSXfRWF2C1OSKGaRqplyb_uoVt9FCuSEunCRTczRvNfgQa1WLsyHuwhQ_uFla9GgmeP4ZBiXdCTKTZ5OKa3mDI5TmH3lV3jxql5W4MoOs9e1ZVMVnLpSyXT1EmzO3VeaWk2N0waA/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0068.jpg" title="adult gannets ritual display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannets</td></tr>
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<section class=" module textmodule " data-lazyload="no" data-lmi="151861037" data-mod-pos="3" data-module-type="textmodule" id="module151861037" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; margin-top: 30px;"><div class="module_inner">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotNU84H35t84nN6HG3omvxDMJlJ6omp_UTSwxKlCVHbA7fALXzlw7kS1H5BB-iHgYM0J4bJNuJqDxccCDggknh5yikoRoYwxYGC3_8PxzoKlCUxQ3xlZBQAp0jyyoYye83qBu4zRtdGk/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0065a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gannets with Chicks at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotNU84H35t84nN6HG3omvxDMJlJ6omp_UTSwxKlCVHbA7fALXzlw7kS1H5BB-iHgYM0J4bJNuJqDxccCDggknh5yikoRoYwxYGC3_8PxzoKlCUxQ3xlZBQAp0jyyoYye83qBu4zRtdGk/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0065a.jpg" title="Gannets with Chicks at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://watching-bingley-birds.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/bird-behaviour-ritual-display-of.html" target="_blank">Adult Gannets Beak to Beak Ritual Display</a></td></tr>
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Adult gannets go through these type of greeting display every time one of them comes back to the nest. Notice the chick beneath them clinging to the cliff. There is more about their displays on the link --> <a href="http://watching-bingley-birds.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/bird-behaviour-ritual-display-of.html" target="_blank">Gannet Ritual Displays</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfYavFP0CMd_xRHm5qyObkTZY-FZs8x8ru8bWzMq2T_6wTH0u7MZ5NvHQ13IwO1xzCbUgTdeZeJZbQowiidTD16MeGJ9LeM2ksEuDRIFoiJ8LZkrSQIJZgsVsF8yZjVHYwowJq_-cp6M/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet preening mate with chick under them in nest" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfYavFP0CMd_xRHm5qyObkTZY-FZs8x8ru8bWzMq2T_6wTH0u7MZ5NvHQ13IwO1xzCbUgTdeZeJZbQowiidTD16MeGJ9LeM2ksEuDRIFoiJ8LZkrSQIJZgsVsF8yZjVHYwowJq_-cp6M/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0067.jpg" title="adult gannet preening mate " width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannets Preening - bonding ritual</td></tr>
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<h2>
Gannet coming in to land</h2>
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<section class=" module textmodule " data-lazyload="no" data-lmi="151861620" data-mod-pos="4" data-module-type="textmodule" id="module151861620" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; margin-top: 30px;"><div class="module_inner">
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The elegant Gannet was caught in flight as it comes into land. He is collecting grass and so on for the nest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawxwph0sLQpkSlcd8Z8hgfjUnRBk3OLa7D3OS9JFGeMf0xOoRQD2orBsLo8sryCbkIcsSLmslAHPOZQpvFngYkkjdRQpnbsi94bScIDJuU1DiBd_5bQ4JSgVymayqsCv7rOL41wtn_a8/s1600/gannet+0017+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannet coming in to land RSPB Bempton Cliffs" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawxwph0sLQpkSlcd8Z8hgfjUnRBk3OLa7D3OS9JFGeMf0xOoRQD2orBsLo8sryCbkIcsSLmslAHPOZQpvFngYkkjdRQpnbsi94bScIDJuU1DiBd_5bQ4JSgVymayqsCv7rOL41wtn_a8/s1600/gannet+0017+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Adult Gannet coming in to land RSPB Bempton Cliffs" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannet coming in to land RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJGmu4Xy729WyKlw1LI82UxBDSVKQ-ZpsDK25YZjFdp1WrSkcyijtA4zWqKw0cmJfvsTZJeLmmtx2Kfo8phbcTR_jBHeUUEbavieUp8QfFjcrWzVvnB23IKul74BMkLVfJC_yXcoZTBA/s1600/gannet+008+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet with spread wings" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJGmu4Xy729WyKlw1LI82UxBDSVKQ-ZpsDK25YZjFdp1WrSkcyijtA4zWqKw0cmJfvsTZJeLmmtx2Kfo8phbcTR_jBHeUUEbavieUp8QfFjcrWzVvnB23IKul74BMkLVfJC_yXcoZTBA/s1600/gannet+008+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Adult Gannet coming in to land RSPB Bempton Cliffs" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannet spreads his wings</td></tr>
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Nests need constant attention so collecting fresh grass and seaweed is a frequent task. I was lucky to be able to get quite close to this chat - he landed close to the fence at the viewing point. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQzOF7d-AhdV4h4sT0EdSCSAdsF4xLz5PajfbAmgJlZ6_m2TX8_FPP2glkmu59ADFv9yk3xGQu4FNYNmTZN97mkPKqgySAyyQqKQU_tC5o2rPL_1kGNv2T6fWvUo48d7riE2rn77Ia5k/s1600/gannet+0013+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQzOF7d-AhdV4h4sT0EdSCSAdsF4xLz5PajfbAmgJlZ6_m2TX8_FPP2glkmu59ADFv9yk3xGQu4FNYNmTZN97mkPKqgySAyyQqKQU_tC5o2rPL_1kGNv2T6fWvUo48d7riE2rn77Ia5k/s1600/gannet+0013+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUxRrVoltR4fPXXcrybqLZwxvjR3HOiyOD2la2A0wzBE-biEH5UN_CcgV6bHqtwrVNjcADW2AejvAH9RtOrFe1sW8qo0oA6zNJWRlVSIl0vdg9ieWX8KZVHszMCihiCDN4z_F2mUvR60/s1600/gannet+009+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet with grass in its beak" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUxRrVoltR4fPXXcrybqLZwxvjR3HOiyOD2la2A0wzBE-biEH5UN_CcgV6bHqtwrVNjcADW2AejvAH9RtOrFe1sW8qo0oA6zNJWRlVSIl0vdg9ieWX8KZVHszMCihiCDN4z_F2mUvR60/s1600/gannet+009+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet collecting grass </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XCDNOlwOcLzgnvRdy8h9uQqDDtan337o7K5lS9CyKMSi2RFNm2Ms0x4BrzOVZj7J_AEky0RJ4pc76jzPQmQuQf_y8WtqMzXyBIpVE2ZlDOntmfpwnSE-zxTC-LfJzdbpcrZR8JQUDM8/s1600/gannet+0010+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet with grass in its beak" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XCDNOlwOcLzgnvRdy8h9uQqDDtan337o7K5lS9CyKMSi2RFNm2Ms0x4BrzOVZj7J_AEky0RJ4pc76jzPQmQuQf_y8WtqMzXyBIpVE2ZlDOntmfpwnSE-zxTC-LfJzdbpcrZR8JQUDM8/s1600/gannet+0010+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet collecting grass </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKnb99rkjgji9t0O8rPm8kC56jxc-CIdHg-Ag_pHbhml1s1ZOlZhHui3_uirqnXeydmPMvCjT6XZhgT5R_2SvXut58hjFvmwnW0WlfgqozychQ4Xlmxr2trnud378KzS0Cic9ImrgxWs/s1600/gannet+0011+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKnb99rkjgji9t0O8rPm8kC56jxc-CIdHg-Ag_pHbhml1s1ZOlZhHui3_uirqnXeydmPMvCjT6XZhgT5R_2SvXut58hjFvmwnW0WlfgqozychQ4Xlmxr2trnud378KzS0Cic9ImrgxWs/s1600/gannet+0011+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2UiycXwWvfI3PA141_aj52xEfBwyX2H7jfHVSCXKEAs4wSskEDzF1n7hH9V_TyyYaXSeyWram0fSyuw6qNHfLwIfUqLOyUh44FU0kWrUI92orMcJhG0abYmLYSfjviY3P10GDSgEDfo/s1600/gannet+0012+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2UiycXwWvfI3PA141_aj52xEfBwyX2H7jfHVSCXKEAs4wSskEDzF1n7hH9V_TyyYaXSeyWram0fSyuw6qNHfLwIfUqLOyUh44FU0kWrUI92orMcJhG0abYmLYSfjviY3P10GDSgEDfo/s1600/gannet+0012+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult gannet with grass in its beak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkWri4j5Eqc2adSBtj-9zHfSr5PlBGFOgQa_xJV9OtCBohAdTIUWgbJGZfNx8DAp-fGg9PMTaR0lOjt0wOoMf7LXuJCVhwzMFQWcytslvAjLD1ylRDAco_UPniHWivLxdC3wXNzJeIAU/s1600/gannet+0015+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet with grass in his beak" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkWri4j5Eqc2adSBtj-9zHfSr5PlBGFOgQa_xJV9OtCBohAdTIUWgbJGZfNx8DAp-fGg9PMTaR0lOjt0wOoMf7LXuJCVhwzMFQWcytslvAjLD1ylRDAco_UPniHWivLxdC3wXNzJeIAU/s1600/gannet+0015+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BGzjdtmwQi3Qzx923ApQY2FMY1WC65kVKK7Ao1QLoTOrCvoMqvupo03ZcTNQXC6o1XPI78eCL_xv-ycnr5h8LEhiOvvFDZ2_BSqiI6rJSew4ODURBeys7POqikFPmt9GsXZGr3zNoxE/s1600/gannet+0016+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet with grass in his beak" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BGzjdtmwQi3Qzx923ApQY2FMY1WC65kVKK7Ao1QLoTOrCvoMqvupo03ZcTNQXC6o1XPI78eCL_xv-ycnr5h8LEhiOvvFDZ2_BSqiI6rJSew4ODURBeys7POqikFPmt9GsXZGr3zNoxE/s1600/gannet+0016+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="Gannet collecting grass to freshen their nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"look what I got!" Gannet with grass in his beak</td></tr>
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<h2>
<br />Gannet Information</h2>
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Order: Pelecaniformes<br />
Family: Sulidae<br />
Species: Morus bassanus<br />
Common name: Gannet</div>
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<br />What do you call a group of nesting gannets?</h2>
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A gannet colony or gannetry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawdEUJnhKGtcw63ZLEuQvH2n1b8piUH3PKy5HyPXR5Fzx8WfavBKkRfy9Gz2-DGxdFD3JGHZs_tDLH6LCR66UzecqjRpkTFsWgDbOK8X_rYwT9KPt6GQuekAKxI1uCK_Zg7qrm735_YA/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gannet colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawdEUJnhKGtcw63ZLEuQvH2n1b8piUH3PKy5HyPXR5Fzx8WfavBKkRfy9Gz2-DGxdFD3JGHZs_tDLH6LCR66UzecqjRpkTFsWgDbOK8X_rYwT9KPt6GQuekAKxI1uCK_Zg7qrm735_YA/s1600/10x8+300dpi+DSC_0414.jpg" title="gannet colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the gannet colonies at RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbrEx3lqm8Vx1mt1IEvmCNAsQes-fdSaI2aIw_ZrWzj78rMVigrmGQUagyfbL7Q9slcqF0D7mIBOshV9qXBv4IncWbDvOV0QoVTmhPiuWGeasq16JlEl_Eo-Vi3TUsy-PMah_7oF_Is4/s1600/bempton+gannet+colony+001+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gannet colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbrEx3lqm8Vx1mt1IEvmCNAsQes-fdSaI2aIw_ZrWzj78rMVigrmGQUagyfbL7Q9slcqF0D7mIBOshV9qXBv4IncWbDvOV0QoVTmhPiuWGeasq16JlEl_Eo-Vi3TUsy-PMah_7oF_Is4/s1600/bempton+gannet+colony+001+300dpi+copyright.jpg" title="gannet colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gannet colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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If you have enjoyed these pictures - there are always more to come so be sure to visit again and share with your friends.</div>
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<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS NATURE RESERVE YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW - SIGN THE PETITION TO STOP FRACKING AT BEMPTON CLIFFS</h3>
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- AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. </h3>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.38px; line-height: 20.7px;">http://action.sumofus.org/a/SSSI-fracking/2/4/</span></span></h3>
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<br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">I am republishing this as a protest against the decision to allow fracking in this area - PLEASE HELP </span></span></h3>
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</section>AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-5640856000529018922015-08-25T03:00:00.000-07:002015-08-25T03:00:48.065-07:00Pictures of Birds: The Grey Heron<h2>
The Grey Heron in Words and Pictures</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeWmbgJu_rFKGCfWhojly74NpShV-94IXKsuwAbbLpxp2nTas53NcSlvV2i7Dl9FeuGBlgnI6gQ4GPu9LPz89eiWO7pjsBwXJ65eF1fUFBYEWYU2mMijahdHPojn7OHWyiv45d7JbHMw/s1600/5082812_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeWmbgJu_rFKGCfWhojly74NpShV-94IXKsuwAbbLpxp2nTas53NcSlvV2i7Dl9FeuGBlgnI6gQ4GPu9LPz89eiWO7pjsBwXJ65eF1fUFBYEWYU2mMijahdHPojn7OHWyiv45d7JbHMw/s320/5082812_f520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They may not be my favourite birds, especially when they are snapping up my ducklings and goslings, but there is no doubt the Grey Heron is a striking bird - This photo journal showcases some stunning photographs of The Grey Heron, scientific name -Ardea cinerea.</div>
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The grey heron is a common sight along England’s rivers and canals. A big bird, it stands around three to four feet tall when its neck is extended. It can retract the neck both while standing and always does so in flight. The heron has an impressive wing span of five to six and a half foot and tend to keep them bowed when flying. Indeed it has a slow, steady and very deliberate looking wing beat, one of the slowest of the bird family. Most adult herons weigh in anywhere between 2 and 5 pounds.</div>
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Both genders look alike being mostly grey with lighter greyish white underneath. The adults have a white crown and forehead with black on each side of the head. These tail into long feathers that are often hard to see except when the bird is in threatening or courting stance. The long neck is black and white and the wings grey with white ‘shoulders’ and black edges . Herons have very long strong, actually wicked-looking beaks. In winter they are yellowish with a black tip but during the breeding season are bright orange as this one seen here. You may also note the orange ‘flushes’ on otherwise grey or yellowish legs. This flush will also disappear once the breeding season is over.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFvxBy52yTWzYyrXqZ7iuJjiHFYt4FcmOvBJXuuwWZnpQINCbA0EezsDl_9_Jr6ifwRE6if84BBkNZlInKBanvuG00A_rV8WTfTYZ38SLQ7gKZv9_s8SERg-e4kM1sIN5cFO52IKUYG0/s1600/4979554_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFvxBy52yTWzYyrXqZ7iuJjiHFYt4FcmOvBJXuuwWZnpQINCbA0EezsDl_9_Jr6ifwRE6if84BBkNZlInKBanvuG00A_rV8WTfTYZ38SLQ7gKZv9_s8SERg-e4kM1sIN5cFO52IKUYG0/s1600/4979554_f260.jpg" /></a>This particular bird is quite striking when see from the front. One couldn’t help comparing him to someone in a Halloween costume with a skeleton painted on him. He stands purposefully, his legs almost braced ready to leap from stillness to action in a second. It is this stillness that is the heron’s hallmark characteristic. It is possible to miss spotting them standing perfectly still either on the bank or in shallow water. They show infinite patience and unwavering concentration in waiting for prey to step close enough for them to snatch. You can also see them stalking as smoothly as any cat. They take slow strides on those long legs without stirring the water or alerting their victim. Herons feed mainly on fish but will take frogs and young chicks.</div>
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It is always rather alarming to see a heron during the breeding season and this one was very definitely on the hunt. It was first spotted when some geese, including some Canada geese were making a noise close to a couple of nests. It was easy to see what had alarmed them but the combined noise seemed to set it to flight. It took off down the canal, stopping next on the opposite bank across from where there are some domestic fowl being kept. He watched intensely for several minutes before turning his attention back to the canal, perhaps deciding he had little chance in the allotments.</div>
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He flew over to the far bank , stood still then started a slow paced stalk towards where there is a moorhen’s nest but was out of luck there too. I was just in time to catch him taking off and followed him down the canal where I found him standing on the edge of the canal, outside some apartments. He had spotted our little white hybrid mallard duck and her thirteen ducklings. Mallard ducklings are easy meals for herons as they tend to busily swim far and wide around the mother instead of sticking close to her side as goslings do to their adults. Fortunately he missed out this time too.</div>
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2014</h2>
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Along Bingley canal the ducklings and new chicks are having a bad year and one of the reasons for that is the constant presence of grey herons. Herons feed mainly on fish but will also take small birds and frogs.</div>
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It easy to miss them when you are out walking as they stand so still. You are first likely to spot them standing statue-like on the edges of water, often in reed beds such as this one pictured here. They can stand still for long periods of time and do so, waiting and watching for prey to come within reach. Those striking yellow eyes miss nothing.</div>
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Rather than stab, that long thin beak is used to snatch. It must also come in very handy for preening as you will see later in this little photo diary.</div>
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Posing Herons</h2>
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Herons are quite stately birds. They can stretch out that long neck so they reach their full height of around 4 foot, or they can hunch down, the neck almost disappearing between the shoulders. They typically have <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/families/bitterns.aspx" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">20 vertebrae </a>making up the neck.</div>
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With hunched back, they remind me of vultures. These birds look almost pre-historic and it is no surprise that fossils of them have been found going back millions of years. The fossils are not common probably because of the fragility of the bone structure but they have been found and dated back <a href="http://www.heronconservation.org/styled-5/styled-6/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">60 million years</a>.</div>
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How Herons Fish</h2>
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Herons stand motionless in shallow water. On bright days they prefer to be in shadow, in places where fish go and where the fish will not see them. Like any angler, patience is their strongest ally. At times they stalk very slowly along the edges of the water, raising one long leg high and slowly placing it down careful so they cause no ripples to betray their presence.</div>
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Once it has spotted its prey, the heron slowly lowers its head to within touching distance of the water, again, taking care not to scare the fish away. Then, suddenly, as quick as a flash, it will strike and catch the fish in that sharp beak. It is snatched rather than speared and disappears, head first, quickly down that long gullet.</div>
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Preening Heron</h2>
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Feathers need taking care of, so like any bird it is common to see herons preening. They must have an advantage with that long beak. They have an oil gland near the base of the tail that it can take oil from with its beak. Then it uses the beak to preen the feathers to repair damage and to keep them waterproof with the oil.</div>
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They also have what are called <a href="http://www.wildengland.com/heron-grey?p=3" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">powder feathers</a> on their chest that create a powder or dust from them to clean up with. A lot of their food, for example frogs, are slimy and the powder helps to soak up the mess.</div>
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They are also quite adept at scratching with a long toe to get rid of parasites and distribute the oil. Indeed, the central toe has a serrated claw to help preening.</div>
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Facts about Herons</h2>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Herons nest high in trees in colonies called heronries.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">They return to the same nest year and year, just adding onto it so it eventually can measure several feet across.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">They lay about five eggs that hatch in about 25 days.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitation.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">The chicks won't fledge for 50 days.</li>
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Heron's in flight</h2>
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As they are taking to the air, heron's stretch out that long neck but it is soon drawn back into the body, the better to protect it. They have a huge wingspan of around 6 feet and typically fly with bowed wings. They stretch out their long legs steam-lined behind them in flight. For such a big bird they are surprisingly agile in the air and are capable of sudden twists and dives.</div>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-33186657014229835352015-05-05T08:07:00.000-07:002015-05-05T08:07:59.640-07:00Visiting Loch Leven 4th May<h2>
Loch Leven Kinross Journal</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted ducks at Loch Leven</td></tr>
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Visiting Loch Leven nature reserve - day one. I'm lucky enough to be spending a couple of weeks house and pet sitting in Milnathort near Kinross so I'm in easy reach of Loch Leven so I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me to write an ongoing journal.</div>
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Loch Leven in the old county of Kinross north of Edinburgh in Scotland. It is a huge loch stretching about 5 square miles and is maintained by The <a href="http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/loch-leven/nature-and-culture/" target="_blank">Scottish Natural Heritage </a>and the RSPB. With a round the loch trial at 13-14 miles it is a wildlife haven for thousands of birds and with a bit of luck I'll be able to capture at least some of them on camera. </div>
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4th May at Vane Farm</h2>
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As it was my travelling day I hadn't really expected to get any bird watching in, But I made such good time on this sunny day I was hours too early to meet with the folk I am pet sitting for so I decided I would spy out the land with a quick visit into <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/l/lochleven/index.aspx?gclid=CjwKEAjw1KGqBRC55bru-sa7zCcSJAAxsBf5peIccDLUEoCr-jHzS6S-NhsWohz8bmtl5dp1kGBEARoCKfvw_wcB" target="_blank">Vane Farm</a>, the RSPB reserve on the south bank of the loch. </div>
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They have the usual visitor centre with a nice upstairs cafe that has telescopes and web cams so you can follow the action. You reach the hides by going through a tunnel under a busy road. It is a bit noisier than most reserves but you don't notice it once you are inside one of the three hides. </div>
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As I just intended a quick visit to check it out I only took my 300mm lens so didn't get the best shots but there is certainly plenty to see.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff at Loch Leven</td></tr>
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Top of the shop was a superb view of three visition ruff - on their way north where they will breed. I'd never seen any before and they are certainly very striking. </div>
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One of the RSPB volunteers told me these birds have been wintering in Africa and are travelling north to breed along the Moray coast or up into Scandinavia. They are wading birds feeding on insects and seeds, even some small fish.<br />
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Ruff are on the threatened list and judging by the reaction of the RSPB staff, these were a fairly rare sighting here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNS09cvXpNryciUQ5LVw3-oP7ZXb-y46QXHW1lZs1PoHrWQQ80oO_dmj1Nei2ireb52yxmlUtMFnuxOFwXenyNeVWslqEgHA4s88U7NDuK-m4Xf603Ym6W60kJhwn7orZWXR6wIWOx9s/s1600/ruff+007+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ruffs at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNS09cvXpNryciUQ5LVw3-oP7ZXb-y46QXHW1lZs1PoHrWQQ80oO_dmj1Nei2ireb52yxmlUtMFnuxOFwXenyNeVWslqEgHA4s88U7NDuK-m4Xf603Ym6W60kJhwn7orZWXR6wIWOx9s/s1600/ruff+007+comp.jpg" height="320" title="Ruffs at Loch Leven" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruffs at Loch Leven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIel8UpVK1x0UArOGDx6-YuzVm3BDLJhh6mHGqSMFEckHrQH6MXnH04AMaNo6bsOElz9xsBXJ1o7U38yFTe0j3CtMDyUMUab1w13ktKvLJyUKXmp76hQ4IaJ7Tl3zjE6nYdIqJ9zjgBOg/s1600/ruff+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ruffs at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIel8UpVK1x0UArOGDx6-YuzVm3BDLJhh6mHGqSMFEckHrQH6MXnH04AMaNo6bsOElz9xsBXJ1o7U38yFTe0j3CtMDyUMUab1w13ktKvLJyUKXmp76hQ4IaJ7Tl3zjE6nYdIqJ9zjgBOg/s1600/ruff+005.jpg" height="320" title="Ruffs at Loch Leven" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Ruffs at Loch Leven</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNk7p1Y6chsx4xcpXhdckSvr5Kj2NdztP7hCKVDu4J0jK_ke0_AUUpbEFAURn6iiDbJTGMnUINU29xMaruG4afkHlOE5S9Oevxk5x8kEHSAUBA20VjWZHV7Cfrgqn9Us3suUh2HxfJe4/s1600/ruff+004+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ruffs at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNk7p1Y6chsx4xcpXhdckSvr5Kj2NdztP7hCKVDu4J0jK_ke0_AUUpbEFAURn6iiDbJTGMnUINU29xMaruG4afkHlOE5S9Oevxk5x8kEHSAUBA20VjWZHV7Cfrgqn9Us3suUh2HxfJe4/s1600/ruff+004+comp.jpg" height="320" title="Ruffs at Loch Leven" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Ruffs at Loch Leven</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4rtC5C_f0DbXMt0JVPD4TQrcedyxy7x92R5uuBKOB3h3iQ1PV715mW-_SrPECn5F47v6iNfx72bhxrXD5bkZPzrrxCoNkAHvkIky9kgTD5STPxtWVSWR74A8R4xJre7hh4YM5oaCcZM/s1600/ruff+003+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ruffs at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4rtC5C_f0DbXMt0JVPD4TQrcedyxy7x92R5uuBKOB3h3iQ1PV715mW-_SrPECn5F47v6iNfx72bhxrXD5bkZPzrrxCoNkAHvkIky9kgTD5STPxtWVSWR74A8R4xJre7hh4YM5oaCcZM/s1600/ruff+003+comp.jpg" height="320" title="Ruffs at Loch Leven" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW5XP2OhQuf3uJqjutGhMEvVVXXLkOHeQKs_PAs3NphRSqaIQ-GHfbSqvc26a9Dlxa5Ps6wcWxrTD7_U4ilYbctrSQSfz0YebTK9kOgJJvuBsbL-iSQrCboSMk2-jZ-GLmKfatGF9nPg/s1600/ruff+001aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ruff at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW5XP2OhQuf3uJqjutGhMEvVVXXLkOHeQKs_PAs3NphRSqaIQ-GHfbSqvc26a9Dlxa5Ps6wcWxrTD7_U4ilYbctrSQSfz0YebTK9kOgJJvuBsbL-iSQrCboSMk2-jZ-GLmKfatGF9nPg/s1600/ruff+001aa.jpg" height="400" title="Ruff at Loch Leven" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">There are loads of Greylag geese around some with chicks though I wasn't close enough to get any piccies of the chicks. Most of the greylags have already migrated north but these are residents. It's no secret geese are among my favourite birds to watch and Greylags are particularly elegant. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5w7zkeYRq0ueWZBHp28oy_W2ZGUPps78IZDMChd9FUKXwrBCN66k_5OB-tDroCUroIQG6EJ3adyaP6dkycTkfcRna4R9ylyGGM60X181fEDbrGkM-HGXnul_V0uGIcJPFrvjX1VZgCc/s1600/greylag+goose+1a+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greylag goose" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5w7zkeYRq0ueWZBHp28oy_W2ZGUPps78IZDMChd9FUKXwrBCN66k_5OB-tDroCUroIQG6EJ3adyaP6dkycTkfcRna4R9ylyGGM60X181fEDbrGkM-HGXnul_V0uGIcJPFrvjX1VZgCc/s1600/greylag+goose+1a+comp.jpg" height="400" title="Greylag goose" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greylag Goose on Loch Leven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwNh7SU25RG7jffUAhhacqFqUCUmTKzgtpEfG1QOn_BubzQbAfOu1aHVx9GZDkUwPFwD_svBQ7PvP2pT923SvUN_oZdODM2ZeB6BQ70X09o8B6GaidY3Z3-1x2bab092mYRXKwXpg-LY/s1600/greylag+goose+3+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwNh7SU25RG7jffUAhhacqFqUCUmTKzgtpEfG1QOn_BubzQbAfOu1aHVx9GZDkUwPFwD_svBQ7PvP2pT923SvUN_oZdODM2ZeB6BQ70X09o8B6GaidY3Z3-1x2bab092mYRXKwXpg-LY/s1600/greylag+goose+3+comp.jpg" height="256" title="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bath time' Greylag geese at Loch Leven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VY8TlzhjPdeJ-1c9v5MmLaqlVzd_0AXaYyIgwc1Yn6IZc_sURYEGyYSZyIAFjbP8IPKIMqvgva2qLn7piaObP4gu0aPpf6A7pFe-_J2Zr9InlKPzz2aBAS4exfQ3FxO3iIR5gWgXwMQ/s1600/greylag+goose+3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VY8TlzhjPdeJ-1c9v5MmLaqlVzd_0AXaYyIgwc1Yn6IZc_sURYEGyYSZyIAFjbP8IPKIMqvgva2qLn7piaObP4gu0aPpf6A7pFe-_J2Zr9InlKPzz2aBAS4exfQ3FxO3iIR5gWgXwMQ/s1600/greylag+goose+3a.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjJ_Q6hhBzWQFXibCaU5BN6VA9DcnWP_FIEgIuUshMMdzxCqE-9lxwPnA42ToZCJYZxVUPfUvlX5praI1uZIKMGZ6PSZVQldOczJv0eLA1xDaC3XXxifrf2cfj8jfmEYg15Z2DCIDECo/s1600/greylag+goose+4+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjJ_Q6hhBzWQFXibCaU5BN6VA9DcnWP_FIEgIuUshMMdzxCqE-9lxwPnA42ToZCJYZxVUPfUvlX5praI1uZIKMGZ6PSZVQldOczJv0eLA1xDaC3XXxifrf2cfj8jfmEYg15Z2DCIDECo/s1600/greylag+goose+4+comp.jpg" height="320" title="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Greylag geese at Loch Leven</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_wfV1TRxuk9tUMiRBpRXU-0kWkBDW5DqMp-YLbmGGU-nBrxMbELtwl8D466XpUqHuHy1Trip3r_C6pbDK0cmPKAyVjVj3-jFMePYY1tekBNYWrF35R7NvyKiJh1G2D_azNrVRknzYdY/s1600/greylag+goose+5+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_wfV1TRxuk9tUMiRBpRXU-0kWkBDW5DqMp-YLbmGGU-nBrxMbELtwl8D466XpUqHuHy1Trip3r_C6pbDK0cmPKAyVjVj3-jFMePYY1tekBNYWrF35R7NvyKiJh1G2D_azNrVRknzYdY/s1600/greylag+goose+5+comp.jpg" height="400" title="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Greylag geese at Loch Leven</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82cl-YZk4Wo0OirEWxlvsD7iCEFTKkKyK4mHH7pJ_eWLpvqBbRTTEAfTZ2fPB1_hyphenhyphenO23M_qLfXtZUyJH-D4kDoVNqJnY90m6uh62_sI9QDb-gAgrZ2vt0Mp8oZoD878qJwF7CYOKMAwM/s1600/greylag+goose+6+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82cl-YZk4Wo0OirEWxlvsD7iCEFTKkKyK4mHH7pJ_eWLpvqBbRTTEAfTZ2fPB1_hyphenhyphenO23M_qLfXtZUyJH-D4kDoVNqJnY90m6uh62_sI9QDb-gAgrZ2vt0Mp8oZoD878qJwF7CYOKMAwM/s1600/greylag+goose+6+comp.jpg" height="320" title="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Greylag geese at Loch Leven</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmWhG3C9BgDiSHgYySKeJpeVF8_5B9riuxaapiVZ2UIDxJx5c4kxOpPglvPkkj5AJHxziQ7BhQvXAjmgtbjkyfhJAgb7okEc9p06a1ZwgMmyLT9gmJTzhEw4Nfi05EYutpqHtuG1H0zU/s1600/greylag+goose+7+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmWhG3C9BgDiSHgYySKeJpeVF8_5B9riuxaapiVZ2UIDxJx5c4kxOpPglvPkkj5AJHxziQ7BhQvXAjmgtbjkyfhJAgb7okEc9p06a1ZwgMmyLT9gmJTzhEw4Nfi05EYutpqHtuG1H0zU/s1600/greylag+goose+7+comp.jpg" height="400" title="Greylag geese at Loch Leven" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Greylag geese at Loch Leven</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Other sighting include multiple tufties, oyster catchers, mute swans, goosander and lapwings. The lapwings are paticularly beautiful and are sitting on nests right now. Hope to get some better photos in the next few days. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfenKNIVKg6WnT26Okte8LPAK8Jaw1O6VzAxLj9re4BLUgpMcvt98p-JoVhXtUt3u2Tr0Goh32kXDof6EcIgp9gOCfaUi-MR48PNwC0xvcTLrMEsL9GbcpEZhOcUBX9MsZEV6mnVvSNTI/s1600/lapwing+tufted+ducks+1+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tufted ducks, Lapwing and Gull" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfenKNIVKg6WnT26Okte8LPAK8Jaw1O6VzAxLj9re4BLUgpMcvt98p-JoVhXtUt3u2Tr0Goh32kXDof6EcIgp9gOCfaUi-MR48PNwC0xvcTLrMEsL9GbcpEZhOcUBX9MsZEV6mnVvSNTI/s1600/lapwing+tufted+ducks+1+comp.jpg" height="320" title="Tufted ducks, Lapwing and Gull" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted ducks, Lapwing and Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBkDfryqK4mXs04q7bnH-7Teyfzik6nq8Wdk7Pp4nTPi1IUaTEZ1noTuVK8XzgnZhyK4ZyIO-7p38-W7ZxC8_c6pF_4oG2I9ugj9-CwqcXn-8Hw1PDppkT11Rc7OwMjBh1Sw5nh1kHxA/s1600/tufted+ducks+001+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="tufted ducks" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBkDfryqK4mXs04q7bnH-7Teyfzik6nq8Wdk7Pp4nTPi1IUaTEZ1noTuVK8XzgnZhyK4ZyIO-7p38-W7ZxC8_c6pF_4oG2I9ugj9-CwqcXn-8Hw1PDppkT11Rc7OwMjBh1Sw5nh1kHxA/s1600/tufted+ducks+001+comp.jpg" height="320" title="tufted ducks" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted ducks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGf2FxJ53d7dmpC_Nyun42SaJsQgL5Xvfkx7o0Ug9XhR4nzvU15zPWc6HIyweHK_9D6x_PQTGqKkrvSwpgQg0tK7qU5OU3fFLumUOFDtNBKjAq3WgDNBrRBjMuhvxbCeEPTn-bqKRwL8/s1600/tufted+ducks+002aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="tufted ducks" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGf2FxJ53d7dmpC_Nyun42SaJsQgL5Xvfkx7o0Ug9XhR4nzvU15zPWc6HIyweHK_9D6x_PQTGqKkrvSwpgQg0tK7qU5OU3fFLumUOFDtNBKjAq3WgDNBrRBjMuhvxbCeEPTn-bqKRwL8/s1600/tufted+ducks+002aa.jpg" height="400" title="tufted ducks" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted ducks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOpCR-_i6byr5M4akJcYciKaIgFHuOBBzwhPi11vpb9fedvrtJTeS_a9BlNqbxHeJ2dCDCwylZmndLalceJZzDK0DUVAryqFtP6a5vnKLLCF9h_T306v7dY_xW6CGvHHpnL_0tclf_V0/s1600/Vane+Farm+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOpCR-_i6byr5M4akJcYciKaIgFHuOBBzwhPi11vpb9fedvrtJTeS_a9BlNqbxHeJ2dCDCwylZmndLalceJZzDK0DUVAryqFtP6a5vnKLLCF9h_T306v7dY_xW6CGvHHpnL_0tclf_V0/s1600/Vane+Farm+001.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
Today - the 5th - has been pretty much a wash out - literally with non stop torrential rain so I am looking forward to exploring more of the loch in the next few days.<br />
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-87072644340781330942015-04-28T01:11:00.000-07:002015-04-28T01:11:55.464-07:00Canada Geese and Goslings<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 38.6399993896484px; line-height: normal;">Canada Geese and Goslings</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3NSHCi0vY1lJNPQgcDHuqxfRxJnpN_KyIrC-xsmUkc4NQHspe9PFAMXZ4SgCo0Dp9-ASFhvjpwmjnvNHWwhXzCUQexS4IfY5MI2tdKpavjjtT4lTi9XFI0Pbg-LiPSvPVPEB0jlMAEE/s1600/5038445_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult canada geese and goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3NSHCi0vY1lJNPQgcDHuqxfRxJnpN_KyIrC-xsmUkc4NQHspe9PFAMXZ4SgCo0Dp9-ASFhvjpwmjnvNHWwhXzCUQexS4IfY5MI2tdKpavjjtT4lTi9XFI0Pbg-LiPSvPVPEB0jlMAEE/s1600/5038445_f260.jpg" title="canada geese and goslings" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Geese with 4 goslings</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">Early in April 2011 a pair of Canada geese were seen mating on Bingley canal. The female duly made her nest on the bank and laid eggs. She was very well hidden although the nest was very close to the water and often all that could be seen was the top of her black head. If you didn't know to look, you would never have seen her. What gave away the location of the nest was the patrolling presence of the male on the canal. He never left, keeping careful watch and chasing away all and sundry. The only one they has trouble with is </span><a href="http://watching-bingley-birds.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/meet-grumps-male-mute-swan.html" target="_blank">Grumps</a><span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">the mute swan who thinks he is king. </span><span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">This is a photo diary of the story of a Canada goose's nest and the arrival of goslings</span></div>
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Nesting Canada Geese</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDQj1B1MW8Ir79ZxPHjm9S1tSZRNmkX9AqPa_TOsGh_4YsQ8sPVPzd-hEafhLhcSB2mZsno2RWUrwWTmtQudDFpiXU8V1ebnJ-t04gKGL7cQSD9pWhAhrLKsNzjuvlUvctlbVslGgg7I/s1600/5040151_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="female Canada Goose on the nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDQj1B1MW8Ir79ZxPHjm9S1tSZRNmkX9AqPa_TOsGh_4YsQ8sPVPzd-hEafhLhcSB2mZsno2RWUrwWTmtQudDFpiXU8V1ebnJ-t04gKGL7cQSD9pWhAhrLKsNzjuvlUvctlbVslGgg7I/s1600/5040151_f520.jpg" height="256" title="nesting Canada Goose" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nesting female Canada Goose</td></tr>
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Canada geese are average sized birds with slender black head and neck and white cheek patches. We have several Canada geese along our canal here but only one mating pair. Last year they produced seven (7) <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Bird-Photography-Canada-Geese-and-Goslings#" id="broken_link_17662604" style="color: #333333; outline: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">g</a>osling who all survived and who gave great pleasure to all as we watched them grow, even watching their flight lessons.</div>
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This year, the pair once again mated. These pictures show them in a courtship display which involves much stretching out of long necks, much the same as when they are in aggressive pose. Later, they made their way to the bank where the female started to build her nest. In geese families, only the female builds and sits on the nest.</div>
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These particular geese don't actually migrate but they still teach the young how to fly in preparation. You can visit their flight school on my article <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Trying-to-Save-Greenhill-One-Photo-at-a-Time-Original-Wildfowl-Pictures" target="_blank">Saving Greenhill One Photo at a Time</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFOeObjuZ8tjQfd-IBKVfQz7TWFzvsbjRNTqBrbnomj1lr88DYnUm-7LSAOilRar9Dq9XFLD7vGqfW2oBgt-vfxURMDepH2hbDtaXwH3ushesNGVaX4BuWjoykB2nVLB1BS3nFD4H00A/s1600/5038453_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cow, Canada geese, goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFOeObjuZ8tjQfd-IBKVfQz7TWFzvsbjRNTqBrbnomj1lr88DYnUm-7LSAOilRar9Dq9XFLD7vGqfW2oBgt-vfxURMDepH2hbDtaXwH3ushesNGVaX4BuWjoykB2nVLB1BS3nFD4H00A/s1600/5038453_f520.jpg" height="320" title="cow, Canada geese, goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Chased' Canada Geese and Goslings take to the water</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">When I visited the site on 12th May, it was to find the nest empty with no sign of the geese. A walk further along the canal tow path found them on the greenfield site known locally as </span><a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Trying-to-Save-Greenhill-One-Photo-at-a-Time-Original-Wildfowl-Pictures" style="color: #551a8b; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Greenhill</a><span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">. The female clearly had goslings under her wing and the male was standing proud guard. It might have been a long wait to view the new goslings except for the visit of a cow! This blundering beast was clearly nosy and his presence chased the pair and their four (4) goslings into the canal.</span></h2>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Facts about Canada Geese:</span></strong></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPzdBF8nI_S1T7CQkGVL0uiG6yiP958Pblpdh7vh35bBw4iPF_1_A7RrIyjDqXTlRD66SJOgK6Yai9wG1KEMioywRBKEBnnhx-NYKJHwPpqU7aHpGkPbJ52HYJoFYJmrJNqqvrzRcIpo/s1600/5040094_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="male and female Canada Geese" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPzdBF8nI_S1T7CQkGVL0uiG6yiP958Pblpdh7vh35bBw4iPF_1_A7RrIyjDqXTlRD66SJOgK6Yai9wG1KEMioywRBKEBnnhx-NYKJHwPpqU7aHpGkPbJ52HYJoFYJmrJNqqvrzRcIpo/s1600/5040094_f260.jpg" title="male and female Canada Geese" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Canada Geese In Attack Mode</td></tr>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;"><strong>If you like all the scientific stuff - here you go.</strong></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Order: Anseriformes</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Family: Anatidae</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Species: Branta canadensis</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Common name: Canada Goose</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Length: 35-43 inches</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Wignspan: 5-6 feet</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Weight: 9-12 lbs</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Lifespan: 20-25 years</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Commonly seen in UK</li>
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Photo Gallery</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEcYRm6pTYpOqvEML7DVZPme3Vh22ay3oX2kvN5RxQ5N2dEk9rDQ2UjrAmlKGn4nCxjgxndvKQ8UPgvCTMfoyAJNZHkzFH2aYfsa-lkJeFImVQTQVrJZOpSQpemUYsPr5v0V-5gQ1deg/s1600/5038447_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="female Canada Goose brooding goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEcYRm6pTYpOqvEML7DVZPme3Vh22ay3oX2kvN5RxQ5N2dEk9rDQ2UjrAmlKGn4nCxjgxndvKQ8UPgvCTMfoyAJNZHkzFH2aYfsa-lkJeFImVQTQVrJZOpSQpemUYsPr5v0V-5gQ1deg/s1600/5038447_f520.jpg" height="320" title="female Canada Goose brooding goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brooding female Canada Goose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb3p-1xvcpbdoCkgMTEJH5ayO25EkTNf3CsUdwvUNjOO5Qdz4kl5ivw8GcLyNL5Gx7oLRCZiyhH39pV9vhipkb7QNnWD8IqbXCVnTTgtpw7A6Yl1BEN07GNqQduwI0V-WbzCXzkRRu_Y/s1600/5038449_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="male Canada goose guarding brooding female" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb3p-1xvcpbdoCkgMTEJH5ayO25EkTNf3CsUdwvUNjOO5Qdz4kl5ivw8GcLyNL5Gx7oLRCZiyhH39pV9vhipkb7QNnWD8IqbXCVnTTgtpw7A6Yl1BEN07GNqQduwI0V-WbzCXzkRRu_Y/s1600/5038449_f520.jpg" height="320" title="male and female Canada geese" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad standing guard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0JssPmulefuZuZ1fDnQ4USjimKCRzTniopDSNQgpzGLtxMqdBm46UW9DABhAA1iskznMHBxi7jsyua5QEciDEATzZWJjb5Ug4Fc-DXakG5msvtReoRVuvs5hJoZ-8oF0uujShyzId8A/s1600/5038457_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada Geese goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0JssPmulefuZuZ1fDnQ4USjimKCRzTniopDSNQgpzGLtxMqdBm46UW9DABhAA1iskznMHBxi7jsyua5QEciDEATzZWJjb5Ug4Fc-DXakG5msvtReoRVuvs5hJoZ-8oF0uujShyzId8A/s1600/5038457_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada Geese goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Geese goslings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcScUpLwWkrpejJJsZ2nD_GbsiutGuP5h1cvcG_Qgz14HdKhLYjJ3gNdhB0eal24lSgfVXt2uiWvr4rzmdXnrOvI0M2lD2P994L1txBVM_aNpiJaQbCA2V_VsPeF-DDn5vP0Hc06zU3I/s1600/5038459_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada Geese goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcScUpLwWkrpejJJsZ2nD_GbsiutGuP5h1cvcG_Qgz14HdKhLYjJ3gNdhB0eal24lSgfVXt2uiWvr4rzmdXnrOvI0M2lD2P994L1txBVM_aNpiJaQbCA2V_VsPeF-DDn5vP0Hc06zU3I/s1600/5038459_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada Geese goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Canada Geese goslings</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrEHI0CdEzmdbUNiXqO0_62oCFdoPfxGbwUlx24e_QjxQd5tiJxcqm8j9LKNAIkqXQ5w1b58zmCsWe8aK75gFei0-lPNZRZWEtiqkylo1ldAIRVaS2d-CVZkJ81xojmpOX1bElvECJHc/s1600/5038460_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada Geese goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrEHI0CdEzmdbUNiXqO0_62oCFdoPfxGbwUlx24e_QjxQd5tiJxcqm8j9LKNAIkqXQ5w1b58zmCsWe8aK75gFei0-lPNZRZWEtiqkylo1ldAIRVaS2d-CVZkJ81xojmpOX1bElvECJHc/s1600/5038460_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada Geese goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Canada Geese goslings</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXxYvUF-QPS3wzQjr9b980xvaCAy_uLYR_3p-p3n6E1aIt_w5NQYbr8ZzWil6keBu94jYWY5LjW08svkD6XCu4MZNuiCRHZLcTLF5x8uDhHRDBtfU5EQZK7kC4KrQ-m3Bobf_5ptVtFk/s1600/5038461_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada Geese goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXxYvUF-QPS3wzQjr9b980xvaCAy_uLYR_3p-p3n6E1aIt_w5NQYbr8ZzWil6keBu94jYWY5LjW08svkD6XCu4MZNuiCRHZLcTLF5x8uDhHRDBtfU5EQZK7kC4KrQ-m3Bobf_5ptVtFk/s1600/5038461_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada Geese goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Canada Geese goslings</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YSAJRhJJInFI6GSfkjG6j7W8a57xcXt3DxtsS7RYfmzQ1Ffk6y5iA38Rs6IY-X_mz77extBdpYPn467Fz6nVsknLifdH7FxerKwHx-Qfpuram9hdomz0vNG_q7ZqfxuIhGhnrrN0aaE/s1600/5038464_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Canada goose with goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YSAJRhJJInFI6GSfkjG6j7W8a57xcXt3DxtsS7RYfmzQ1Ffk6y5iA38Rs6IY-X_mz77extBdpYPn467Fz6nVsknLifdH7FxerKwHx-Qfpuram9hdomz0vNG_q7ZqfxuIhGhnrrN0aaE/s1600/5038464_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Adult Canada goose with goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Canada Goose with chicks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGYBB9iLC5ZPY9pv6EbIEHt9ubuZCP26XhjnYeGHhnOBZa8LYqMB1U5ijm2dVzPzoJyl6JJ50BjEU9Rzmy_UmFp2-URdyanRNhIZzGSsgoNdcAegynzlWiI4ARSiM9b5A435Mq84Q3rs/s1600/5038465_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Canada goose with goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGYBB9iLC5ZPY9pv6EbIEHt9ubuZCP26XhjnYeGHhnOBZa8LYqMB1U5ijm2dVzPzoJyl6JJ50BjEU9Rzmy_UmFp2-URdyanRNhIZzGSsgoNdcAegynzlWiI4ARSiM9b5A435Mq84Q3rs/s1600/5038465_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Adult Canada goose with goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Canada goose with goslings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUD8nyLEUQ1_6JIXCctVdFBv6lD8KNiByWaFRD6AtzvMBbUW8GSXhFSBgRCqDyYVQLo9xkAPaDMQOHHFi-DMYYOEK6AXtjkGxKXuR3qAYK3eb1K2rg6emux5uU38iCw3tHNb44glohnY/s1600/5038467_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Canada goose with goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUD8nyLEUQ1_6JIXCctVdFBv6lD8KNiByWaFRD6AtzvMBbUW8GSXhFSBgRCqDyYVQLo9xkAPaDMQOHHFi-DMYYOEK6AXtjkGxKXuR3qAYK3eb1K2rg6emux5uU38iCw3tHNb44glohnY/s1600/5038467_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Adult Canada goose with goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Canada goose with goslings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb3E3sjhY2BR_2fJyPcZ1LzSr8QsJRNWtIIuClRw1mgMSESVOFKQWqv8n_JylVwtUm3o6WQ2G2rIqBHWTRdhmAA19dOUbBld-c8UIEGSD5WahdufvhBDnRy6c7jSFEVHdKx_KmYbPobE/s1600/5038468_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada geese goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb3E3sjhY2BR_2fJyPcZ1LzSr8QsJRNWtIIuClRw1mgMSESVOFKQWqv8n_JylVwtUm3o6WQ2G2rIqBHWTRdhmAA19dOUbBld-c8UIEGSD5WahdufvhBDnRy6c7jSFEVHdKx_KmYbPobE/s1600/5038468_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada geese goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Geese Chicks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMeBzyyNrIUhl_hyxCl5XNskLddU-WwhHe8n5DBNa_rev4ZU311NplEvgwYfV2-5d3ZY8ZDJEgtG2DWHTqeVIZq9DBJX-N4MbAVjfbPuB7FkfBSxO9JEBPlf5UJTxptLPMHKWCn7GZfo/s1600/5038470_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Canada goose with goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMeBzyyNrIUhl_hyxCl5XNskLddU-WwhHe8n5DBNa_rev4ZU311NplEvgwYfV2-5d3ZY8ZDJEgtG2DWHTqeVIZq9DBJX-N4MbAVjfbPuB7FkfBSxO9JEBPlf5UJTxptLPMHKWCn7GZfo/s1600/5038470_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Adult Canada goose with goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Canada goose with goslings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fvo5YJHoH14V9ke79zujVUWJ9cKRUB3jODFLiu5XZhRoX5PfVTAn3kQ5EeQT3EUtWCcOU_Mb2Ot7XQuOQyJXMvDk4v7z7dA3BpHPKgCdpH3ERMynPMM4dJz_x40uPlI1WpA9LbcstrY/s1600/5038480_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada geese chick" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fvo5YJHoH14V9ke79zujVUWJ9cKRUB3jODFLiu5XZhRoX5PfVTAn3kQ5EeQT3EUtWCcOU_Mb2Ot7XQuOQyJXMvDk4v7z7dA3BpHPKgCdpH3ERMynPMM4dJz_x40uPlI1WpA9LbcstrY/s1600/5038480_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada geese gosling" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada geese gosling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S3rs6MqCezTspW0vXYLtYR9kGXYzmogCkl0nhd86pY5SYPN57btbcqZx5uGu27UHQwhVUYDqbgrTcJKRmvRlosdBrArXLX2T8r7_pJBqMlNDirqtXmbcpvIX9bxDYyHH5ew_w-9K-7Q/s1600/5038482_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada geese goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S3rs6MqCezTspW0vXYLtYR9kGXYzmogCkl0nhd86pY5SYPN57btbcqZx5uGu27UHQwhVUYDqbgrTcJKRmvRlosdBrArXLX2T8r7_pJBqMlNDirqtXmbcpvIX9bxDYyHH5ew_w-9K-7Q/s1600/5038482_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada geese goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada geese goslings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBAwMmRxm4Ks5gA3KeNmSc9LTRlGvWlhnP_qvEKRdwDrp01bFaurXahp6VKXyt2Z9GUmmEZdhJfzlXBbUOXHWxX8aSYfPjOHbqaAjKTwMIR8Sq11qc-dBcOgMr4-viB23O3hdbIAVT4g/s1600/5038484_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Canada geese goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBAwMmRxm4Ks5gA3KeNmSc9LTRlGvWlhnP_qvEKRdwDrp01bFaurXahp6VKXyt2Z9GUmmEZdhJfzlXBbUOXHWxX8aSYfPjOHbqaAjKTwMIR8Sq11qc-dBcOgMr4-viB23O3hdbIAVT4g/s1600/5038484_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Canada geese goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada geese gosling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80LRZSw5TNPpbMIu4BzzrH2BSP52OSnCHzRXm6s6w4DMQoi6vJe0UVDw_I8sJBQ6w63fNZiBMC4qeLEP6oo0djhwNb0hK1inCgBG4SIEkIJfIc9NLsPUaSECUBoSmA2jOn072WOT3CBY/s1600/5038488_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80LRZSw5TNPpbMIu4BzzrH2BSP52OSnCHzRXm6s6w4DMQoi6vJe0UVDw_I8sJBQ6w63fNZiBMC4qeLEP6oo0djhwNb0hK1inCgBG4SIEkIJfIc9NLsPUaSECUBoSmA2jOn072WOT3CBY/s1600/5038488_f520.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada geese goslings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDSJ_v9W2232lR6FF6FBdWMBQb57-JESmDF7DDRovrysJZiwlRIszUyl9SY4ET_ktS7Gi-_cnuPiAcuKOeQX34jh4edaMM_9b9Ykx2d0imnup6c6tDJG2zXuoFJVc8hEAsEPpk5XUNro/s1600/5040093_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="male and female Canada Geese" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDSJ_v9W2232lR6FF6FBdWMBQb57-JESmDF7DDRovrysJZiwlRIszUyl9SY4ET_ktS7Gi-_cnuPiAcuKOeQX34jh4edaMM_9b9Ykx2d0imnup6c6tDJG2zXuoFJVc8hEAsEPpk5XUNro/s1600/5040093_f260.jpg" height="320" title="adult Canada geese" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male and Female adult Canada Geese</td></tr>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Update 2014</h2>
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These little guys survived into adulthood and continue to call Greenhill their home. We have a growing flock of Canada geese here during the breeding season.</div>
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A few miles inland is an estate with a lake that is home to a controlled flock of Canada geese. When eggs are laid there, the wardens coat them with oil so they will not hatch to control the population.</div>
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We have noticed some of the geese come down to the canal here to breed instead. Who says they are not clever?</div>
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</h2>
AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-13173799091522396372015-04-17T06:27:00.001-07:002015-04-17T06:27:11.510-07:00Hard at Work Starling<h2>
Starling photos at Upton</h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiMVXhj_NpjalYQ74TtKOSxBvhIJjYlDDfGX9nHCaNACa_DTNdITQXPtOySv-Y0dV335aOFNTqjNcg-DnZ5f0Z-jjKEfv1BMrwJNI37iwFhwL8-15Vahm_QVC4SNPNbFTckIsiXDT0-Q/s1600/starling+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="starling on bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiMVXhj_NpjalYQ74TtKOSxBvhIJjYlDDfGX9nHCaNACa_DTNdITQXPtOySv-Y0dV335aOFNTqjNcg-DnZ5f0Z-jjKEfv1BMrwJNI37iwFhwL8-15Vahm_QVC4SNPNbFTckIsiXDT0-Q/s1600/starling+002.jpg" height="320" title="starling on bird feeder" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">starling trying to figure out how to get to the fat balls in the feeder</td></tr>
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This little lad looked a bit disgusted that he had to work hard to reach the fat balls on the feeder. Just shows how handy that long beak is.<br />
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Starlings are surprisingly beautiful birds - just look at those luminescent feathers!<br />
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They tend to get a bad press. They are a bit noisy and they like to go around in flocks. They are particularly good to watch at Upton Cottage with young families when they fledge. They nest at the house which gives us a great chance to see them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Zl5mEHa-QPZwTicZG29jJSuutpcFa64kpRc5FKzIQjUn3-V-RV4irqlU4CTnh0oCCDOiPgBYNGxj6KQdCAv5SJEs4XQkCReJFt7dSbJ3AAIhDxJDmDnzglhQmprOk6ZE9RijOsmRxyg/s1600/starling+003+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="starling on bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Zl5mEHa-QPZwTicZG29jJSuutpcFa64kpRc5FKzIQjUn3-V-RV4irqlU4CTnh0oCCDOiPgBYNGxj6KQdCAv5SJEs4XQkCReJFt7dSbJ3AAIhDxJDmDnzglhQmprOk6ZE9RijOsmRxyg/s1600/starling+003+300dpi.jpg" height="320" title="starling on bird feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"it WILL be mine!"</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0jCtoI3CkaUEIVDZ9t6fmL5OTr5GGGOVsdXczYKO8FS7rYSK8Fhsq1u1lNLJHLWzn8q0QxwvW4Viut-Vaz56DQlflmR8nqJR28X-SfcSbJaUFgwiiZnbTsNfLSSHF8J4T3y74FArXoc/s1600/starling+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="starling on bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0jCtoI3CkaUEIVDZ9t6fmL5OTr5GGGOVsdXczYKO8FS7rYSK8Fhsq1u1lNLJHLWzn8q0QxwvW4Viut-Vaz56DQlflmR8nqJR28X-SfcSbJaUFgwiiZnbTsNfLSSHF8J4T3y74FArXoc/s1600/starling+001.jpg" height="640" title="starling on bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">starling on bird feeder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OSY1MLWeVBPH-28CyqiP-PPRaPcXrRs1Pphq8Bh5dWe4dUgcsYGaYor1Eh1BcQr_FkpH9IJiTjSAPHmwGvs8nvOOsVYf5F3WMlArULeQUpyaAKnMM7YGNv0QKAx0XQtF1FSGZjMIohE/s1600/starling+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="starling on bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OSY1MLWeVBPH-28CyqiP-PPRaPcXrRs1Pphq8Bh5dWe4dUgcsYGaYor1Eh1BcQr_FkpH9IJiTjSAPHmwGvs8nvOOsVYf5F3WMlArULeQUpyaAKnMM7YGNv0QKAx0XQtF1FSGZjMIohE/s1600/starling+003.jpg" height="640" title="starling on bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'fluttering' starling on bird feeder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwe4u0-Mste23QRGawdsCjuXIZfNDKg3KQD6CGVL1fTH1rh77IhDQd3vaUDjF1-eU8CG-fZhPxmiFOw5KjixxyrcocazMHLA9xWezGriHWOygIvIC7O5Ba2vObHWFzpMm4vXVLfg1igA/s1600/starling+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="starling on bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwe4u0-Mste23QRGawdsCjuXIZfNDKg3KQD6CGVL1fTH1rh77IhDQd3vaUDjF1-eU8CG-fZhPxmiFOw5KjixxyrcocazMHLA9xWezGriHWOygIvIC7O5Ba2vObHWFzpMm4vXVLfg1igA/s1600/starling+004.jpg" height="640" title="starling on bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">starling on bird feeder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4HO8RYdvEnbySzKgVsyMvZxvsqyMEOKThzjkcqTgavJaTHm8I7bU1VVLWGBVfkS7-8LuMH6_IB_8bP8CtgT7KUMyd8iF0kHL_o2mwmR2A7vI5mRi-fbWpFRHIxNZYANNvBpSIKXVSOA/s1600/starling+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="starling on bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4HO8RYdvEnbySzKgVsyMvZxvsqyMEOKThzjkcqTgavJaTHm8I7bU1VVLWGBVfkS7-8LuMH6_IB_8bP8CtgT7KUMyd8iF0kHL_o2mwmR2A7vI5mRi-fbWpFRHIxNZYANNvBpSIKXVSOA/s1600/starling+005.jpg" height="640" title="starling on bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Triumphant!' starling on bird feeder</td></tr>
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<br />AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-72431948156869624932015-04-14T04:34:00.001-07:002015-04-14T04:34:37.365-07:00The Lucky Pigeon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTHpekqsIYTASGr6zEnV34CbQFdN5dad8JKwKDhTkTk8YTIP4uLhegmzNCHL8XLmqxd_BNzbSdYP0bdZgM4JeoHS2v8lOX3WwG8WR0kuP4AeNMMh80uvtM_jkzDqijmUfHXZA16DGkYg/s1600/lucky+pigeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTHpekqsIYTASGr6zEnV34CbQFdN5dad8JKwKDhTkTk8YTIP4uLhegmzNCHL8XLmqxd_BNzbSdYP0bdZgM4JeoHS2v8lOX3WwG8WR0kuP4AeNMMh80uvtM_jkzDqijmUfHXZA16DGkYg/s1600/lucky+pigeon.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Normally pigeons don't get to feed from hanging bird feeders - they are too heavy to perch which is the general idea - to keep them away so the small birds get a chance. Yesterday I glanced up to see this clever fella had taken advantage of the fact I had hung one feeder too close to a table so he got his chance to graze.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ10BT11OCjvoQNOy7U_k2IkIc8-odWItPQKFRCxMuvScWVLK-EZeo-PPvW66R4aCS3K-ZxtBAvXjSbHgD7MguBoumK72_YjAUDT-4tsK4cp2OZR3ShBgw6Jk4d9WFGjMNEUixSugylM/s1600/pigeon+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pigeon at bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ10BT11OCjvoQNOy7U_k2IkIc8-odWItPQKFRCxMuvScWVLK-EZeo-PPvW66R4aCS3K-ZxtBAvXjSbHgD7MguBoumK72_YjAUDT-4tsK4cp2OZR3ShBgw6Jk4d9WFGjMNEUixSugylM/s1600/pigeon+1.jpg" height="640" title="Pigeon at bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pigeon at bird feeder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Ge6T6LnhPy4bL10TrgaOYcGzaHnuEUuseDay5LRr5lxK-jOHivwQ5h5Bk2yVnJdwmfFNgWxV6AOPBbu0MhgMRNgr89WNd7VqolJKpS5GeyUQIWRSNhX6bUCv7jQCr_650dhZSeL-jE/s1600/pigeon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pigeon at bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Ge6T6LnhPy4bL10TrgaOYcGzaHnuEUuseDay5LRr5lxK-jOHivwQ5h5Bk2yVnJdwmfFNgWxV6AOPBbu0MhgMRNgr89WNd7VqolJKpS5GeyUQIWRSNhX6bUCv7jQCr_650dhZSeL-jE/s1600/pigeon+2.jpg" height="640" title="Pigeon at bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pigeon at bird feeder</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLph5Sj8WM2wGJmaWX32tp58j3NVo2VuTHXXhRApbrKv_ZLQeWb1BpFM9jCuh_D6pfaIgncRoO8oYLQK3DlJJj1L9n_oZr-LrBSePe124cjHZtAk2p959DLYeGKSbM-pM_3YEDmj55og/s1600/pigeon+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pigeon at bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLph5Sj8WM2wGJmaWX32tp58j3NVo2VuTHXXhRApbrKv_ZLQeWb1BpFM9jCuh_D6pfaIgncRoO8oYLQK3DlJJj1L9n_oZr-LrBSePe124cjHZtAk2p959DLYeGKSbM-pM_3YEDmj55og/s1600/pigeon+3.jpg" height="640" title="Pigeon at bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pigeon at bird feeder</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq17CEvBtXckmpf4tNFaUofSt9IV4hYnunoj2k2rJ3TdSW2Xgry4SZ1hesb9FtBOwoyRKkXYhykgTO7C7MCUXBwfJq1qjibUuPO_eKE-GXylvlay6BxtV2OoxvBbo_87DYCSTZOWz7wg/s1600/pigeon+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pigeon at bird feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq17CEvBtXckmpf4tNFaUofSt9IV4hYnunoj2k2rJ3TdSW2Xgry4SZ1hesb9FtBOwoyRKkXYhykgTO7C7MCUXBwfJq1qjibUuPO_eKE-GXylvlay6BxtV2OoxvBbo_87DYCSTZOWz7wg/s1600/pigeon+4.jpg" height="640" title="Pigeon at bird feeder" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pigeon at bird feeder<br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-38138784318504229022015-03-14T05:07:00.000-07:002015-03-14T05:07:59.173-07:00Goldie the White Mallard Duck with her Ducklings<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlR-BPWMmD8z8I11j6-eePt_QnXVPBrgB3jVhx3ie_f3icDarJtOaxlNsWfH4K7UPOPjY2y-tTf_Zz5qZfJqhu_7XZE9gOuL5oYjUuOTm-lijPzSblevXlLK1AueA30gheicqqiibzWGc/s1600/5038352_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white mallard duck with ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlR-BPWMmD8z8I11j6-eePt_QnXVPBrgB3jVhx3ie_f3icDarJtOaxlNsWfH4K7UPOPjY2y-tTf_Zz5qZfJqhu_7XZE9gOuL5oYjUuOTm-lijPzSblevXlLK1AueA30gheicqqiibzWGc/s1600/5038352_f520.jpg" height="256" title="white mallard duck with ducklings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldie the white mallard duck with her ducklings</td></tr>
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<h2>
White Female Mallard Duck shows off her new Ducklings</h2>
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This photo journal features a little white duck with her ducklings. The white duck is a mallard duck. It isn't unusual for mallard ducks to have unusual colourings, probably the result of centuries of inter-breeding.</div>
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Last year, a light-coloured female mallard appeared with a brood of 15 ducklings. Twelve were ordinary looking mallard ducklings, two were lighter in colour and one was golden yellow. She became <a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1544033?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=140x240" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">'Goldie'</a> in a children's photo book I produced last year and she grew into a beautiful white duck.<br />
<span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">This year, Goldie has produced her own ducklings. There are twelve of them and seven have inherited her white gene: presently they are tiny balls of yellow fluff who will also turn white as they mature. This page records the first appearance of 'Goldie' with her new ducklings.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgRpa5g1LHI3uRRHwevO-R0Gg9Rt_zc3Y0H1KN_rcvN01OBKm_GTsp57f12g-7E-HOsh3FQP03dFt6ZNJrEnw2ZfTadRpQdHtRaM6ZqhnPUP_PIEigFVNYsEVBgFVhiMDpX5V624eCFI/s1600/5038290_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mallard ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgRpa5g1LHI3uRRHwevO-R0Gg9Rt_zc3Y0H1KN_rcvN01OBKm_GTsp57f12g-7E-HOsh3FQP03dFt6ZNJrEnw2ZfTadRpQdHtRaM6ZqhnPUP_PIEigFVNYsEVBgFVhiMDpX5V624eCFI/s1600/5038290_f260.jpg" height="400" title="mallard ducklings one yellow one brown" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldie as a little yellow duckling</td></tr>
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<strong>Mallard Information:</strong></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Order: Anseriformes</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Family: Anatidae</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Species: Anas platyrhynchos</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Common name: Mallard duck</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Length: 20-26 inches</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Wingspan: 32-37 inches</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Weight: 2-3 lbs</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Lifespan: 15-25 years</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5RVmpLXwwxJJapORLSO1yvnLBzhgMHKGjRKbRuYSxPYOKKHqxehbRqFQtUoZ4qZNO8r3dlvGkg0Q-BN95z6mZXvoB_Ck2PfX0sTJl9wRZF6CrXVYa92HrTwpN0nIkpITkG8EApC61U0/s1600/5038322_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white mallard duck with ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5RVmpLXwwxJJapORLSO1yvnLBzhgMHKGjRKbRuYSxPYOKKHqxehbRqFQtUoZ4qZNO8r3dlvGkg0Q-BN95z6mZXvoB_Ck2PfX0sTJl9wRZF6CrXVYa92HrTwpN0nIkpITkG8EApC61U0/s1600/5038322_f520.jpg" height="320" title="white mallard duck with ducklings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White mallard with yellow chicks</td></tr>
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Mallard Ducks and Colouring</h2>
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Most female mallard ducks are often describes as brown but this underestimates their beauty. They have brown and fawn markings and a black mascara stripe through the eye. Like the male, they have blue wing flashes although they are slightly less obvious than the males. Over the centuries there has been much in-breeding especially in a domestic setting and so a wide range of colourings can appear any time. White mallards with orange beaks are not uncommon and shouldn't be confused with white calling ducks. Calling ducks are smaller and much, much more vocal. Until Goldie arrived in 2011, we only had one along the canal at Bingley. That other little white goose, Smudge, who features in articles here and on Squidoo, has not produced any white offspring. Goldie on the other hand, mated with a normal coloured male mallard, has produced 7 pure yellow ducklings, destined to turn white, and another two of her twelve are lighter coloured ones. The white in this case is probably <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leucism</a><span style="font-size: 13.8000001907349px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">, not uncommon in birds of all groups. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXleh_LZcWUXChkFnQSdPmLLt-F-QNu3Tv_M_GIYK95FzBQSdgyAUhsrSs7TEg3Y4BUXGmRW2st0xVqxJ-vjKBAr-3PoOBuotiweZxOELlje3wuQ2199yKXpm7FpKI9gpxv2FjnTbnZM/s1600/5038323_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white mallard duck with ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXleh_LZcWUXChkFnQSdPmLLt-F-QNu3Tv_M_GIYK95FzBQSdgyAUhsrSs7TEg3Y4BUXGmRW2st0xVqxJ-vjKBAr-3PoOBuotiweZxOELlje3wuQ2199yKXpm7FpKI9gpxv2FjnTbnZM/s1600/5038323_f520.jpg" height="320" title="white female mallard duck with ducklings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White female mallard duck with different coloured ducklings</td></tr>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Bird behaviouir: Parental care - mallard style</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD84wkTeGpPehAs0zQKaHpfZdSfKIAQO0acNTVCvZB7TkV0UofPeJ5NFUVOSHuQD4c2nSvleq7qxfaHHmXu8WVHnzIt_h78VO89W6lUOlldv_E1HHbmcgPtjyS_hK3NqOFYAsgaxiQ8QY/s1600/5038320_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white female mallard duck with ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD84wkTeGpPehAs0zQKaHpfZdSfKIAQO0acNTVCvZB7TkV0UofPeJ5NFUVOSHuQD4c2nSvleq7qxfaHHmXu8WVHnzIt_h78VO89W6lUOlldv_E1HHbmcgPtjyS_hK3NqOFYAsgaxiQ8QY/s1600/5038320_f520.jpg" height="256" title="white mallard duck with ducklings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attentive mother - female mallard duck</td></tr>
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Mallard ducks are very common but as ducklings they have a very high mortality rate. Many are taken by predators such as pike, heron, crows and magpies. Mallard ducklings generally tend to roam some distance from the female, the male being conspicuous by his absence in most cases. This makes them much more vulnerable that goslings who are generally kept close to both parents.</div>
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This is the first day these ducklings have been out on the canal and Goldie is keeping them close. Unlike some other females that have been observed she waits for stragglers and turns back to gather them in. Long may it continue.</div>
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...and so to Bed...</h2>
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With the evening light fading and rain on the way, Goldie calls the ducklings up onto the bank. Like most youngsters there was some reluctance and it took a couple of trips back into the canal to get them all out. Eventually though, all that could be seen was the occasional flash of a little beak beneath white tail feathers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhVUyfS205VBdb0-ejGxEqpQD8XQZL4PHk8SbeyrbMgMukYrLbEXAkkX6c_mZFmNpXpYQGOMHHJeUOVwlPUl7tCK7FdH5vHBFhnN6FqiKxx2IyVtdEYec9oCvc03OlK3OOOp5E_eRbco/s1600/beddin+down+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white mallard duck with ducklings " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhVUyfS205VBdb0-ejGxEqpQD8XQZL4PHk8SbeyrbMgMukYrLbEXAkkX6c_mZFmNpXpYQGOMHHJeUOVwlPUl7tCK7FdH5vHBFhnN6FqiKxx2IyVtdEYec9oCvc03OlK3OOOp5E_eRbco/s1600/beddin+down+1.jpg" height="320" title="white mallard duck with ducklings " width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldie the mallard find a spot on the bank</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWEHKDe2F2oUi00hIBH7jYVfVMn7j3P4z3o4k4OJYIiyn3DvB_9of1ZxFpH9Kry5Epp1AhHsVGI1jJ4I6kfsA1Bte52sxTZIHym9cVX8YL7yTt36Ni6rp3huKvfB1oFtaAEYuj2DMou8/s1600/beddin+down+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white mallard duck broodhing ducklings " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWEHKDe2F2oUi00hIBH7jYVfVMn7j3P4z3o4k4OJYIiyn3DvB_9of1ZxFpH9Kry5Epp1AhHsVGI1jJ4I6kfsA1Bte52sxTZIHym9cVX8YL7yTt36Ni6rp3huKvfB1oFtaAEYuj2DMou8/s1600/beddin+down+2.jpg" height="320" title="white mallard duck with ducklings " width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldie calls the ducklings in and they settle in under her for the night</td></tr>
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PHOTO GALLERY<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEE0U8EeK_GLMqqEIDDkSO97zNTq5iMF3ROPM3GPXpvrAbO8aQ3ADxjrI0SMh-896RSZtsWHp1GUN4rQ7pOTqtmhsLYjLqsAn6Mk3OzcqpWcesXv3EShv-zTiz763U_oMdIiy7TLteOc/s1600/5038310_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white female mallard duck with ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEE0U8EeK_GLMqqEIDDkSO97zNTq5iMF3ROPM3GPXpvrAbO8aQ3ADxjrI0SMh-896RSZtsWHp1GUN4rQ7pOTqtmhsLYjLqsAn6Mk3OzcqpWcesXv3EShv-zTiz763U_oMdIiy7TLteOc/s1600/5038310_f260.jpg" height="320" title="white female mallard duck with ducklings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldie the white mallard duck with her brood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kdJHnB3lDrXnwLNWcd8-Q_xk98socbWoUsOtqqbB5JAIZz0tqUlas_8bIk6BZvh8TTWTJSYkAAKha2rDCPkd7Ho9m7aLdkbNSOE33uhT62kUl3aE3tpWByhKyFG_34itGKZsJcaqIj4/s1600/5038319_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="yellow mallard ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kdJHnB3lDrXnwLNWcd8-Q_xk98socbWoUsOtqqbB5JAIZz0tqUlas_8bIk6BZvh8TTWTJSYkAAKha2rDCPkd7Ho9m7aLdkbNSOE33uhT62kUl3aE3tpWByhKyFG_34itGKZsJcaqIj4/s1600/5038319_f520.jpg" height="320" title="yellow mallard duck chicks against brambles" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Yellow Mallard Chicks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzthzgVhaqA3sBAjmxQ8rJNuwd1ubPvOaTUvoSAOxVZnWXcutRZrShbenjMkqfrw6abWJwg-42dYkPywLIsRrQy1vzlCgkHCIoVLLEoVnrNMm40X68cvZ5SCOkO94i8ZQsix3LfK9IHs/s1600/5038321_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="yellow mallard ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzthzgVhaqA3sBAjmxQ8rJNuwd1ubPvOaTUvoSAOxVZnWXcutRZrShbenjMkqfrw6abWJwg-42dYkPywLIsRrQy1vzlCgkHCIoVLLEoVnrNMm40X68cvZ5SCOkO94i8ZQsix3LfK9IHs/s1600/5038321_f520.jpg" height="320" title="yellow mallard duck chicks" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Sisters' Yellow Mallard Ducklings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEevEuIPY4BbjBUml6Ntq9Sq7nqsG_bGg3y0qkYAPInJgn_2GVlUPXN0xzlmiwt_IgmGvdtOf_i38Bb-JSWuutHJ7phm8P8mDyiFBi2lwFUtVFZmAkUsfzpxxci0yhqBnh4T8D3Ddp2Q/s1600/5038333_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="yellow mallard duck chick" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEevEuIPY4BbjBUml6Ntq9Sq7nqsG_bGg3y0qkYAPInJgn_2GVlUPXN0xzlmiwt_IgmGvdtOf_i38Bb-JSWuutHJ7phm8P8mDyiFBi2lwFUtVFZmAkUsfzpxxci0yhqBnh4T8D3Ddp2Q/s1600/5038333_f520.jpg" height="320" title="yellow mallard duckling" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'it's a stretch' - yellow mallard duckling feeding on leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurJNMYARpl654jphL8P3MrOsmG1Oqy8R5teg9tJZvJhdmyVTkUf3cNQ-OO9qJqCV6QL-EmR9iab2suzbR-ktDhnlHYla05klQuJpntFDf4YnuEambH2o58M5HKylbEc6aK4HMcBkHlHU/s1600/5038350_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white female mallard duck with ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurJNMYARpl654jphL8P3MrOsmG1Oqy8R5teg9tJZvJhdmyVTkUf3cNQ-OO9qJqCV6QL-EmR9iab2suzbR-ktDhnlHYla05klQuJpntFDf4YnuEambH2o58M5HKylbEc6aK4HMcBkHlHU/s1600/5038350_f520.jpg" height="320" title="white female mallard duck with ducklings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">white female mallard duck with yellow duckling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQxkKsbwyJ0axnDRVAEk0S6wY1dHigeY3cs9XBUx7INBNEtEcha0I7l7NZkG-U_QwDuVspQkH-9THviSoJ60T9z0w7jymdDuf_7j4nXSnhYRcCtiMaHDiToijqodCWL-4ZjxL19hw6AI/s1600/5038351_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mallard duck chick" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQxkKsbwyJ0axnDRVAEk0S6wY1dHigeY3cs9XBUx7INBNEtEcha0I7l7NZkG-U_QwDuVspQkH-9THviSoJ60T9z0w7jymdDuf_7j4nXSnhYRcCtiMaHDiToijqodCWL-4ZjxL19hw6AI/s1600/5038351_f520.jpg" height="320" title="1 day old mallard duckling" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mallard duckling and waterlily leaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxLQ8aGU3ZqsKUJZ3McWSrv-VVAaQlmCa_alLzPBKvC2_P8oPX_-vxyOGf2AxOTh4f_xLUmowZ9pEXWWnI6d0kjc9tROGtAfSslDJP0JWR2vQhsyvOxI6O6OFT60-bLaCue3pIzrSTm0/s1600/5038353_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="white female mallard duck with ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxLQ8aGU3ZqsKUJZ3McWSrv-VVAaQlmCa_alLzPBKvC2_P8oPX_-vxyOGf2AxOTh4f_xLUmowZ9pEXWWnI6d0kjc9tROGtAfSslDJP0JWR2vQhsyvOxI6O6OFT60-bLaCue3pIzrSTm0/s1600/5038353_f520.jpg" height="320" title="white female mallard duck with ducklings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'mother and chick' white female mallard duck with duckling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AKELNe2WxYkQz0rZCfx3Pf_6qmjOUtCznImeZNTMgGzJtNAfA3DNLuyGWZeKaC-v0kdBIXUptXiSjN2lQQ77jSp4YwQ2vB8icSHlYP6btPjGVpf1nV_7lb0BEPnIh8FHCpnIXBlWXyI/s1600/5038354_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mallard duck chick" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AKELNe2WxYkQz0rZCfx3Pf_6qmjOUtCznImeZNTMgGzJtNAfA3DNLuyGWZeKaC-v0kdBIXUptXiSjN2lQQ77jSp4YwQ2vB8icSHlYP6btPjGVpf1nV_7lb0BEPnIh8FHCpnIXBlWXyI/s1600/5038354_f520.jpg" height="320" title="mallard duckling" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mallard duckling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4lf_2EUo3hKcMpQdZYmyjGyiRjZM1YY8oOvHXpBNvpRO7GuXCE2FMMHoDhyphenhyphenvZbtLrtIJuo8WreRZbmDRAeaIr276EQFh1AcaBnNYgbxXXGVuAgbutCLqHOj8Gtl9rly05gMIV8O6MB0/s1600/5038355_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="yellow mallard ducklings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4lf_2EUo3hKcMpQdZYmyjGyiRjZM1YY8oOvHXpBNvpRO7GuXCE2FMMHoDhyphenhyphenvZbtLrtIJuo8WreRZbmDRAeaIr276EQFh1AcaBnNYgbxXXGVuAgbutCLqHOj8Gtl9rly05gMIV8O6MB0/s1600/5038355_f520.jpg" height="320" title="yellow mallard duck chicks" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little yellow mallard chicks</td></tr>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-20802267348519637292015-03-08T04:59:00.003-07:002015-03-09T02:52:02.318-07:00St Andrews Seagull<h2>
Clever Seagull Begs for Food</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3LL7-Z8mVPMCpTBE-wZ12G095KZW9Vpi7RQSR5f5L7nIbNRlBgW5O3GEdxFFOWnbjQK5zfF9-l2pKM850qVovWpvjPD7tfSmIxw_lCV2o8G2ub8edjobCGE9hr9dVFaaEdVD-Je6-p8/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3LL7-Z8mVPMCpTBE-wZ12G095KZW9Vpi7RQSR5f5L7nIbNRlBgW5O3GEdxFFOWnbjQK5zfF9-l2pKM850qVovWpvjPD7tfSmIxw_lCV2o8G2ub8edjobCGE9hr9dVFaaEdVD-Je6-p8/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+1.jpg" height="400" title="young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland</td></tr>
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Visiting St Andrews I was kept amused by this clever seagull in Market Street begging for then catching food. Hope you enjoy the pictures.<br />
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<h2>
The Perfect Catch a poem by AnnMackieMiller</h2>
<br />
Feet in constant motion<br />
like a fielder on a baseball pitch<br />
he shuffles back and forth<br />
eyes steady<br />
always ready<br />
the throw leaves the hand<br />
and wham<br />
his head whips round<br />
and bam<br />
the perfect catch<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXO9YAsscyg0injtJDB-oeycNJEya3cWpWh9kHtqRR8hH3cTFP736oqpcRUZvH0zq7BS88ERzF4lfEjNu34DIYx6A3GkhTVPsi_INE4-HF-shlPYtLJ1DN8hUUwjvolz4BsdlxbI6yWQ/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+2aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXO9YAsscyg0injtJDB-oeycNJEya3cWpWh9kHtqRR8hH3cTFP736oqpcRUZvH0zq7BS88ERzF4lfEjNu34DIYx6A3GkhTVPsi_INE4-HF-shlPYtLJ1DN8hUUwjvolz4BsdlxbI6yWQ/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+2aa.jpg" height="400" title="seagull begging for food" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seagull begging for food</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qNqwEzYf18oBG6zQ5V7waZhSigVnKXCEhpGcjdg4t5Y2OmiILe0VP-860LMk_a4VWykwKBo8FtrTgeofQeOCwiIe7FvJ1d8G3h5XrPRngni-3eHhdzhNVwkTObTzt0138N0n106vcZM/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+3aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qNqwEzYf18oBG6zQ5V7waZhSigVnKXCEhpGcjdg4t5Y2OmiILe0VP-860LMk_a4VWykwKBo8FtrTgeofQeOCwiIe7FvJ1d8G3h5XrPRngni-3eHhdzhNVwkTObTzt0138N0n106vcZM/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+3aa.jpg" height="400" title="young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seagull catching food thrown for it - he never missed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK0pc5Z_NMnHwD5h95lt4bjXxk7lryAcXN2O6lpsS_ZdwTQZxr480KA9HWAOquM3f8hv-Of7_aKazhAOWMG6pNrkhXIRyIP3-p7fi5X20vaYWn5UM6zI62fyYSQtdE50fKn0ElHWbD9A/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="seagull being fed" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK0pc5Z_NMnHwD5h95lt4bjXxk7lryAcXN2O6lpsS_ZdwTQZxr480KA9HWAOquM3f8hv-Of7_aKazhAOWMG6pNrkhXIRyIP3-p7fi5X20vaYWn5UM6zI62fyYSQtdE50fKn0ElHWbD9A/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+4a.jpg" height="400" title="gull catching food" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seagull catching bread thrown for it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjLjufG9pTU4J3ynqGKsm_SIW-pFhUSfHIlm2fRIvtAZN49ryfonVC7IsVdJDft44ftXimpmoZ_5qh6Ihasxhoput9x4q3k9Fcl3fgpYqPVcQNGprFkmx1R_l7_tU_tgVpo8D6uYbFFI/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjLjufG9pTU4J3ynqGKsm_SIW-pFhUSfHIlm2fRIvtAZN49ryfonVC7IsVdJDft44ftXimpmoZ_5qh6Ihasxhoput9x4q3k9Fcl3fgpYqPVcQNGprFkmx1R_l7_tU_tgVpo8D6uYbFFI/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+5a.jpg" height="400" title="young girls feeding seagull Market Street St Andrews Fife Scotland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seagull begging for food</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4LycF4OlMgHclxn-3KhXJeCzFeWT69ZyjCT0JdoX46DIfiZtPZq6CrND-HRSKLMPt3qx6QWE8DXcxvboew6lAUQMnK4Z7xLs3La2XOAMtyqY3-udZzUgtGq2fgsuwrceFZCovE_2rdo/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="seagull" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4LycF4OlMgHclxn-3KhXJeCzFeWT69ZyjCT0JdoX46DIfiZtPZq6CrND-HRSKLMPt3qx6QWE8DXcxvboew6lAUQMnK4Z7xLs3La2XOAMtyqY3-udZzUgtGq2fgsuwrceFZCovE_2rdo/s1600/st+andrews+seagull+6.jpg" height="400" title="seagull" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch over</td></tr>
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<h2>
The Perfect Catch a poem by AnnMackieMiller</h2>
<br />
Feet in constant motion<br />
like a fielder on a baseball pitch<br />
he shuffles back and forth<br />
eyes steady<br />
always ready<br />
the throw leaves the hand<br />
and wham<br />
his head whips round<br />
and bam<br />
the perfect catch<br />
<br />AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-5176458840175408732015-02-09T03:43:00.000-08:002015-06-24T04:15:34.748-07:00Pictures of British Birds: The Coot<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Meet the Coot </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8QnytcSw_iKFbVnM_d7vSs3iSPTOPLGrLuVgrAGGIy0P6mo_feAlzChZ1HH8TRYNmorAayur0inEGgq_G-XOtP7EvFBG9px8AH7yLxYyn3UHIgjfWviSfELyAifehe0ImMXoQnE7LE8/s1600/coot+001+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="british birds the coot" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8QnytcSw_iKFbVnM_d7vSs3iSPTOPLGrLuVgrAGGIy0P6mo_feAlzChZ1HH8TRYNmorAayur0inEGgq_G-XOtP7EvFBG9px8AH7yLxYyn3UHIgjfWviSfELyAifehe0ImMXoQnE7LE8/s1600/coot+001+300dpi.jpg" title="female coot on water" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Coot on water</td></tr>
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Coots are one of my favourite water birds so it was a joy to make this page to share my pictures. I've included some interesting information and facts you might enjoy including how they take off into flight and how they attack or defend themselves. If you like my pictures, please feel free to share the link but the photos are copyright to me. Thanks. </div>
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What is a Coot?</h2>
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The Coot is a small plump bird found on open water such as lakes and reservoirs. It is easily identified by the white shield on its forehead and it's white bill. Both male and female are the same, except, on closer inspection you can see the female has a longer narrower forehead and bill than the male. It is classified as being part of the Crakes and Rails family of birds. It's very long legs and long lobed, rather than webbed, feet bear testimony to that.</div>
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The Coot has a small head on a short neck and they are predominantly grey to black overall except for some white feathers on the rear edges of the wings. It is bigger than a Moorhen, most weighing on average 20-30 ounces. They have a wingspan of only 27-32 inches for a body length of 14-15 inches. This short wingspan means they are poor flyers and they trail their feet when in flight. For take-off and when escaping threats, they run along the surface of the water with splashing feet, the sound of which is quite distinctive. Also like the Moorhen, the Coot nods its head when swimming although it is less pronounced than the moorhen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmqMXuPoaSts_XwzphM09KkPPCTumYtrwVhhS4Q7M_kSoR1eEw39jaoADyyCmpqICNyf_gSuWdoCCaQRbByJNe2gpm57-S-0ylqhrbZn2_UfPqkd8IUDycKwcW3sHdgTOtOpvkaaxsc4/s1600/4978981_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="male coot" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmqMXuPoaSts_XwzphM09KkPPCTumYtrwVhhS4Q7M_kSoR1eEw39jaoADyyCmpqICNyf_gSuWdoCCaQRbByJNe2gpm57-S-0ylqhrbZn2_UfPqkd8IUDycKwcW3sHdgTOtOpvkaaxsc4/s1600/4978981_f260.jpg" title="British water bird the coot" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Coot</td></tr>
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Both adults look alike, the only difference is that the female has a narrower and longer beak than the male. I can only usually tell if I see them both together. </div>
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While they might not make many headlines as flyers, on land they are surprisingly swift. When flushed out they will streak from cover to the water with giant paces of their powerful legs and feet. Indeed, too swiftly to be caught by a casual candid shot. On large bodies of water they often flock together in large 'floats'. However at Coppice Pond on the St Ives Estate where these photos were taken they tend to be more apart. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjpKMg177Okl7Wj20dsvQ6U6xbYHqZcYkFGpZQxmVjnmSTCrtldvITZLukXfnmbXz8dPGZBXT-1XyDsllUvAIgOTSYfqRKF7QX-fn_p1J8EDgoNOgW7O5FAyBbKis-uq88CDH_XFuJVo/s1600/4978949_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="british wildfowl the coot" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjpKMg177Okl7Wj20dsvQ6U6xbYHqZcYkFGpZQxmVjnmSTCrtldvITZLukXfnmbXz8dPGZBXT-1XyDsllUvAIgOTSYfqRKF7QX-fn_p1J8EDgoNOgW7O5FAyBbKis-uq88CDH_XFuJVo/s1600/4978949_f260.jpg" title="male coot on water" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Coot on Water</td></tr>
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<h2>
Coots Nesting and Breeding</h2>
They build large nests, often in bushes overhanging the water. The hen will lay anything from six to nine eggs that hatch after 21-24 days. The chicks are unremarkably grey with a white face and chest. Like most baby birds, they make a continual piping sound letting the adults know where they are at all times. Both adults help incubate the eggs and to feed the young chicks. They will stay with the adults for about eight weeks.</div>
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<h2>
What do Coots eat?</h2>
Coots graze, but they also feed a lot on the water. They are very buoyant, diving down for plant life but bobbing up again very quickly. They will also eat snail, insects and tadpoles. The chicks are fed by both adults until they can dive for themselves. </div>
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<h2>
How to Coots Fly?</h2>
<div>
In truth they don't fly well and then only for short distances. When they do decide to take off it takes a bit of effort. They need a long run-in to get off the water as you can see from these photos.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdjQ4ylRgPqDJIm-OjqYZRVn_jTvH-qgblthHDP50hppePj5CzihYDWSWps5pI_97l1uAyJdGX4MCdjHxk3EbCRm29Z6XjqJoe6NN2ZmHTOgbeRRV6kHauBtq_UBr3_Gz1Vz41dwGVGM/s1600/4978993_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="coot take off" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdjQ4ylRgPqDJIm-OjqYZRVn_jTvH-qgblthHDP50hppePj5CzihYDWSWps5pI_97l1uAyJdGX4MCdjHxk3EbCRm29Z6XjqJoe6NN2ZmHTOgbeRRV6kHauBtq_UBr3_Gz1Vz41dwGVGM/s1600/4978993_f520.jpg" title="coot taking off on water" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coot taking off</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SHndk2MqvLGu-_rn0CTMNehXJwhYhCGPnSNj-XhA3JlW-ZKp_d_qyAiC-g6-uXfyj3POTJPoy_w4oomMtvDJhN-9GcguGxdzs-rkMhvOjCMiPcz7TKSy2bz2jh9z_375yXaZWp1Brnw/s1600/4978996_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="coot taking off for flight" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SHndk2MqvLGu-_rn0CTMNehXJwhYhCGPnSNj-XhA3JlW-ZKp_d_qyAiC-g6-uXfyj3POTJPoy_w4oomMtvDJhN-9GcguGxdzs-rkMhvOjCMiPcz7TKSy2bz2jh9z_375yXaZWp1Brnw/s1600/4978996_f520.jpg" title="coot taking off for flight" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coot trying to take off</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLivb9Q_0x3ga0T8G-tOMeVNQPI35DIHm_36STRkHHNa1yI7KZDrSMcZxIyVyI-M8ue8iUaWT1YNNNxsdGIQtZZU7h3xF0ePRsU1UAmBk_JdxLhEOP-0FHBM5GVWZJvVXGQ_ulKdhwufQ/s1600/4978998_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="coot taking off for flight" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLivb9Q_0x3ga0T8G-tOMeVNQPI35DIHm_36STRkHHNa1yI7KZDrSMcZxIyVyI-M8ue8iUaWT1YNNNxsdGIQtZZU7h3xF0ePRsU1UAmBk_JdxLhEOP-0FHBM5GVWZJvVXGQ_ulKdhwufQ/s1600/4978998_f520.jpg" title="coot taking off for flight" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coot's 'run-in' for take off into flight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-bgwhpjZ8ckwU3ga4VM5eO5qugDf0G3SDyCbk9LxPTsFCetTk2jTqympnF5Rzl7zWvKVSpIHSdwNtvyJaZWk3GGwsZW0pFqOXjfyWnv9ScJuuzVu1d7gVj5hkHARyTwg6A5CFIE-JGc/s1600/4978999_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="coot taking off for flight" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-bgwhpjZ8ckwU3ga4VM5eO5qugDf0G3SDyCbk9LxPTsFCetTk2jTqympnF5Rzl7zWvKVSpIHSdwNtvyJaZWk3GGwsZW0pFqOXjfyWnv9ScJuuzVu1d7gVj5hkHARyTwg6A5CFIE-JGc/s1600/4978999_f520.jpg" title="coot taking off for flight" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wing action - coot taking off</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN6aSTfrVgFRZobUME1Z-gPyBQJypa88HheE7sxQyHUodnW2QiRAJ_mHKuA5TJ_khTz5zzg2ATuMXTEowfXOI9FZ6yKjXDSr9E-B8_dyB1fuwurxO3gBDUJq-zOWvt23vMDr-e-lHurA/s1600/4979000_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="coot taking off for flight" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN6aSTfrVgFRZobUME1Z-gPyBQJypa88HheE7sxQyHUodnW2QiRAJ_mHKuA5TJ_khTz5zzg2ATuMXTEowfXOI9FZ6yKjXDSr9E-B8_dyB1fuwurxO3gBDUJq-zOWvt23vMDr-e-lHurA/s1600/4979000_f520.jpg" title="coot taking off for flight" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'and I'm off!' coot takes to flight from water</td></tr>
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<h2>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal;">Coot in Agressive pose</span></h2>
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Like the moorhen, they are feisty little birds prone to fighting for territory, especially during the breeding season. These photographs were taken recently and show a typical fighting posture for coots. See how the forehead shield is held forward. They keep low to the water and plump out the tail to form a sail much like swans do. This shows an aggressive posture. When they do fight, they do so with their feet. More times than not, the aggressive display is enough to see off an opponent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3scf13hi32FcEG52_mA-q-UoHQDYfLKY4Tgms-iIIYep2hqB_it_t2qeWrADU0doo31ABUr01QUgnVL9MOAH7Qkq1a7ljOCkjRli_xA0rQEsLGyRixK7hvZjzb_0OAqtTAXg0XU_Z5Y/s1600/4979016_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3scf13hi32FcEG52_mA-q-UoHQDYfLKY4Tgms-iIIYep2hqB_it_t2qeWrADU0doo31ABUr01QUgnVL9MOAH7Qkq1a7ljOCkjRli_xA0rQEsLGyRixK7hvZjzb_0OAqtTAXg0XU_Z5Y/s1600/4979016_f520.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two coots in typical aggressive posture</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiWgxZvymbpxyQaZYIanQ0vHBu0u2yZ3u-4eJTW_gsc1G0D4km56-ZOixztfrcEsbi3zT1xgDekLxBSgafTS9328v8W-Y3gFwqyGt4NigiAgMDUY_Q7nFKP5hKux5_tTjmt50x5PLwLI/s1600/4979017_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="coots in agressive pose" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiWgxZvymbpxyQaZYIanQ0vHBu0u2yZ3u-4eJTW_gsc1G0D4km56-ZOixztfrcEsbi3zT1xgDekLxBSgafTS9328v8W-Y3gFwqyGt4NigiAgMDUY_Q7nFKP5hKux5_tTjmt50x5PLwLI/s1600/4979017_f520.jpg" title="agressive posture coots" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agressive posture in coots<br />
note the left-hand side coot has extended the shield on<br />
his beak and raised his wings in a sail.</td></tr>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-27512504363070203142015-01-21T06:40:00.000-08:002015-01-21T06:40:49.962-08:00Mr & Mrs Blackbird on the Coconut<h2>
Pictures of Male and Female Blackbirds on Feeder</h2>
Winter Feeding Wild Birds<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnaxs9CZgIWvzcPN1sF7vIe2eFxbCrVExMwKSjroEDU5TZEtB31tsxr0cvuakAAsaGtW7OzuKS00w2UoO0LSnE1QYpxs_axZ1M10ACTVZTLppDxwcQBju1PGJQ5l1RkZmHaJ9Mp8HO54/s1600/blackbird+on+feeder+1+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Male Blackbird on coconut feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnaxs9CZgIWvzcPN1sF7vIe2eFxbCrVExMwKSjroEDU5TZEtB31tsxr0cvuakAAsaGtW7OzuKS00w2UoO0LSnE1QYpxs_axZ1M10ACTVZTLppDxwcQBju1PGJQ5l1RkZmHaJ9Mp8HO54/s1600/blackbird+on+feeder+1+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" title="Male Blackbird on coconut feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Blackbird on coconut feeder</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wsjS_jWGsUWU8rlDFtu4VGVlCc1jEsaOzqn_VRnXsed22oV9Lur-KBAy91IHmTU91Hj2d7fFQeqddtSmyPBUiuIHVB62dG5whAP11ujlUXpFO9MTv4E0P7dlt_RAjxKRcWjJDLVWRSw/s1600/female+blackbird+on+feeder+1+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Blackbird on coconut feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wsjS_jWGsUWU8rlDFtu4VGVlCc1jEsaOzqn_VRnXsed22oV9Lur-KBAy91IHmTU91Hj2d7fFQeqddtSmyPBUiuIHVB62dG5whAP11ujlUXpFO9MTv4E0P7dlt_RAjxKRcWjJDLVWRSw/s1600/female+blackbird+on+feeder+1+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="256" title="Female Blackbird on coconut feeder" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female Blackbird on coconut feeder</td></tr>
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No bird behaviour post today - just a couple of pictures of Mr and Mrs Blackbird enjoying the coconut in the garden yesterday and a reminder to keep feeding them. At this time of year it is as well to remember to put out some fat for them so they can generate their own heat! Suet balls and slabs, coconut half shells - I keep mine when they are empty and fill them with bird peanut butter that you can buy at pet stores on online - don't be tempted to use human peanut butter - I don't think it is good for them but I could be wrong.<br />
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Take the suet balls out of the net and break it up for ground feeders. I tend to just throw one on the ground and the blackbirds love to peak at it.<br />
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You can also make your own of course -<a href="http://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/feeding-birds/make-homemade-suet/" target="_blank"> RECIPES FOR HOMEMADE SUET</a><br />
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AND don't forget to put out water for them!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-54473270596028453252015-01-19T05:19:00.001-08:002015-01-19T05:19:34.147-08:00Meet Long Tailed Tits<h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px;">
<strong>Long-tailed tit: Aegithalos caudatus</strong></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD1y5LhvZb-hyPmQQ48TqtwOEbDOk2lAwxxJqtRJAegPK1LtEKRZxWM1mKEer-LMwq6VzgvuJc8WRAPMmTgS38xV46y8oE6NfuiLMo1fiO5HuQCe8w8mcUkvIJ9tKUXMcRstCH43uzIU/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u0010+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD1y5LhvZb-hyPmQQ48TqtwOEbDOk2lAwxxJqtRJAegPK1LtEKRZxWM1mKEer-LMwq6VzgvuJc8WRAPMmTgS38xV46y8oE6NfuiLMo1fiO5HuQCe8w8mcUkvIJ9tKUXMcRstCH43uzIU/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u0010+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed tit on feeder</td></tr>
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Long-tailed tits are common garden visitors and since they tend to stick to their own families it is not uncommon to see 12 or more together. If you do, you will know they are all from one family. I hope you enjoy my photo gallery taken at Upton Cottage.</div>
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I think long-tailed tits are among my favourite garden birds. They are so pretty with tiny beaks and long thin tails that are longer than their body. They have ditinctive colouring with black, pink, tan and white being the predominant colours and a cute peachy blush. </div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 13px;">
Facts about Long-Tailed Tits</h2>
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In size they measure about 5.5 inches in length with a wing span of around 7 inches on average. They weigh around the 0.25 ounce mark. </div>
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They feed mainly on tiny insects, spiders and spider eggs and love seeds and berries.</div>
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Their nests are intricate constructions built in a low thorny bush or the fork of a tree. They use spiders silk to make the nest elastic so it can expand to fit the growing brood. They usually lay 12 eggs, chicks hatching in 15 days or so and they will fledge (fly) when they are about 18 days old.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Iolo Williams has a good BBC video </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">about long-tailed tit nest building <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Long-tailed_Tit#p00dxvfq" target="_blank">HERE </a></span></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 13px;">
Long-tailed tit feeding chicks VIDEO </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKgPWpHAM6u8JmlqpQHy8HG7ulJSIXM7cIBbvskMrjjztzDHyKIPC4Ma0eE9jL3XjUCh2n1Voka9EQmfxwHZN3XMz9rR6t4SA-7j0yMi11Y1h45wmLbze9dnrGwJts2rld2yE5XSgeSs/s1600/long-tailed+tit+002+10x8+compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tit puffed up to reserve heat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKgPWpHAM6u8JmlqpQHy8HG7ulJSIXM7cIBbvskMrjjztzDHyKIPC4Ma0eE9jL3XjUCh2n1Voka9EQmfxwHZN3XMz9rR6t4SA-7j0yMi11Y1h45wmLbze9dnrGwJts2rld2yE5XSgeSs/s1600/long-tailed+tit+002+10x8+compressed.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tit by annmackiemiller" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">'fluffball' long-tailed tit<br />
feathers puffed up to keep the heat in on a cold winter day</td></tr>
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Although they tend to keep in families, the families break up in Spring for the breeding season so they avoid inter-breeding. They are one of the few breeds that huddle together for warmth. As they become more frequent garden visitors they may roost in nestboxes in winter so leave yours up. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYym5YfBfsU4dr299J_uxIcGD3rY37VWeSCenkEQj-k-5s38GTiN7t-DTMwMQaS09-Hked3kwhyphenhypheniN5NK6eA-Y4xjWOpI7QKHMMNWUMuxMBE0QPO3Q9KKv5HNV-tDNGEHmbETIdvo6OZWw/s1600/longtailed+tits01+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tits" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYym5YfBfsU4dr299J_uxIcGD3rY37VWeSCenkEQj-k-5s38GTiN7t-DTMwMQaS09-Hked3kwhyphenhypheniN5NK6eA-Y4xjWOpI7QKHMMNWUMuxMBE0QPO3Q9KKv5HNV-tDNGEHmbETIdvo6OZWw/s1600/longtailed+tits01+comp.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tits on feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Long-tailed tits on feeder</td></tr>
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They are common visitors to garden feeders - arrive in bunches as if blown in by the wind then blow out again. They are very noisy critters. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AzPAHtFCaz7aqQxaaEYJvcwyy_WSEHzmuxYka6sG_5HB3zF-WgWN4n4RYZLOcLh1YZ_6ZqwekmtMXEQtIM6ge7Lmv8mghBkX25zbm5db1OpbN5SODuXJiSPpklhOSRaZ5U9fVl2jiEA/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u001+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AzPAHtFCaz7aqQxaaEYJvcwyy_WSEHzmuxYka6sG_5HB3zF-WgWN4n4RYZLOcLh1YZ_6ZqwekmtMXEQtIM6ge7Lmv8mghBkX25zbm5db1OpbN5SODuXJiSPpklhOSRaZ5U9fVl2jiEA/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u001+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC-3Y-e2h-QYhsw9lFBhyc_IEhyphenhyphenyeRNcqDh5fRUnQboX83Ml6iLrAMcV5O4dHRmV65spti2FQCkDlCF1UvQOeqZUZ1M-72bf11up17rLthqi7GoPLSMv1YyRKk4oWcOM5yJFaS-TSSlo/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u003+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="showing tail on long-tailed tit" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC-3Y-e2h-QYhsw9lFBhyc_IEhyphenhyphenyeRNcqDh5fRUnQboX83Ml6iLrAMcV5O4dHRmV65spti2FQCkDlCF1UvQOeqZUZ1M-72bf11up17rLthqi7GoPLSMv1YyRKk4oWcOM5yJFaS-TSSlo/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u003+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" title="showing tail on long-tailed tit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">distinctive tail of the long-tailed tit - it is longer than his body</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTqDLTDfT7h_3ridhDez6nkRAaASBNnm3CnzQCNqJtc0N-NavEwpQnlaHLGA-VuV3KmSp7v-kYMNOl1h-VI4vc8PkeSiHFbR8bREXuRsJj1IQ6rn68Q4PfO14hSv1_MFUKc9rYoKe8EI/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u005+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tits on suet feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTqDLTDfT7h_3ridhDez6nkRAaASBNnm3CnzQCNqJtc0N-NavEwpQnlaHLGA-VuV3KmSp7v-kYMNOl1h-VI4vc8PkeSiHFbR8bREXuRsJj1IQ6rn68Q4PfO14hSv1_MFUKc9rYoKe8EI/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u005+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tits on suet feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">long-tailed tits on suet feeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2eV3r5I2f7e1_VAPdGIyHgmbmViEpkIkMMTFLw7kCGqw2DtIZqBrOGE-1wAhzfxt8ZLfISSZphFPZBcRVkvrc52qHaJcovqJZLmDPh4IHgEKZ_mVRjCS3kPDaFNIGY9UiKpeWukzSHg/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u006+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tit on suet feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2eV3r5I2f7e1_VAPdGIyHgmbmViEpkIkMMTFLw7kCGqw2DtIZqBrOGE-1wAhzfxt8ZLfISSZphFPZBcRVkvrc52qHaJcovqJZLmDPh4IHgEKZ_mVRjCS3kPDaFNIGY9UiKpeWukzSHg/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u006+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tit on suet feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">long-tailed tit on suet feeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YiFBZzOGo7E-0j7gk91cISrDFFL1I-XdvfUMdkoWXgeCbdDQHz1CwW8TqgWV3BqZ5G0VqUwU6lST-BX7kj2A8Fmga4YcxoThVX3pCwzq2Ir031FLp707KwLq5TvCkGnIgtuPykqiSYg/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u007+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tit on suet feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YiFBZzOGo7E-0j7gk91cISrDFFL1I-XdvfUMdkoWXgeCbdDQHz1CwW8TqgWV3BqZ5G0VqUwU6lST-BX7kj2A8Fmga4YcxoThVX3pCwzq2Ir031FLp707KwLq5TvCkGnIgtuPykqiSYg/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u007+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tit on suet feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suet logs are great for winter feeding long-tailed tits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQnsH7sHXZaJ1Vl0rqAa921U3EXH-WCa_HIvsiUqDygx29qqMCjmr9X2E7k3O553DVZvILbcg5V2p_G4B-ad0QySMUmiLs3mt620PhI5zEXkMmczhLkhyphenhyphenBwz1jcJjVVABZEmJf0-m0Ao/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u008+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tit on branch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQnsH7sHXZaJ1Vl0rqAa921U3EXH-WCa_HIvsiUqDygx29qqMCjmr9X2E7k3O553DVZvILbcg5V2p_G4B-ad0QySMUmiLs3mt620PhI5zEXkMmczhLkhyphenhyphenBwz1jcJjVVABZEmJf0-m0Ao/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u008+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">long-tailed tit on branch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSXJnfC3j6z-QFpvr-KhoCXAhyphenhyphenrhAr0RlWdyl9u6UkTjH_94oMLJkdXRMvqV7yF80XS5nB3ytpW-oBUh_TRG9KcjfC4ksnF_AcI48Ng7-9ZpEG6nhT8gZN2ZvXB4h2ER05dUTiCccKYQ/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u009+300dpi+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tit on branch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSXJnfC3j6z-QFpvr-KhoCXAhyphenhyphenrhAr0RlWdyl9u6UkTjH_94oMLJkdXRMvqV7yF80XS5nB3ytpW-oBUh_TRG9KcjfC4ksnF_AcI48Ng7-9ZpEG6nhT8gZN2ZvXB4h2ER05dUTiCccKYQ/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u009+300dpi+copyright.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tit on branch" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">long-tailed tit on branch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUit6YfTD_XtZjjXy9K6DT3naZbXbiuzj6LhXBrEZAGfi0qEIwkS_BVHXnAoLPzyHASZpYSHAosN7XS6cQGPn8WV7mbTVF7ksJfbt7bGsXczwtnBxDbDgo8iDgjDcNkEdxxx1PH5m0PjA/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u0011+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tit on feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUit6YfTD_XtZjjXy9K6DT3naZbXbiuzj6LhXBrEZAGfi0qEIwkS_BVHXnAoLPzyHASZpYSHAosN7XS6cQGPn8WV7mbTVF7ksJfbt7bGsXczwtnBxDbDgo8iDgjDcNkEdxxx1PH5m0PjA/s1600/long+tailed+tit+u0011+300dpi.jpg" height="400" title="long-tailed tit on feeder" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'here's looking at you kid' Long-Tailed Tit on Garden Feeder</td></tr>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBGp25R6nBY" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBGp25R6nBY">Long Tailed Tit Singing</a><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg8TxVqH_XR_4bzAvr_pl3q5lFS7O058NDIwXFzpuPYaRnw_1jSYRpcfiiuwOB6vAXUcKy3sQTu6k0QouT7vxR-j6LRe1BabHz4Bq1pm1z2OwXXVuRQC8513RUbEChNxOwgkqXC79fMM/s1600/long-tailed+tit+003+10x8+compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="long-tailed tit at feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg8TxVqH_XR_4bzAvr_pl3q5lFS7O058NDIwXFzpuPYaRnw_1jSYRpcfiiuwOB6vAXUcKy3sQTu6k0QouT7vxR-j6LRe1BabHz4Bq1pm1z2OwXXVuRQC8513RUbEChNxOwgkqXC79fMM/s1600/long-tailed+tit+003+10x8+compressed.jpg" height="320" title="long-tailed tit" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">long tailed tit at feeder </td></tr>
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If you have enjoyed these pictures of long-tailed tits please share with your friends and come back to see what else I have managed to photograph.</div>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-52949207430684403222015-01-16T06:57:00.000-08:002015-01-16T06:57:19.976-08:00Nesting Moorhens<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Pictures of birds: Nesting Moorhens</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjH-s_4ins6jek3qwzgkK3035ocXMdYkU-1LFBvLQWv_qQDaHinu00PxPz0A9suQJA17jIVFZR3gO6dToCzJ6H95CRZL6Clf6D0CONbYyZJ3N65CJhE_BGpSGdXUM6SyfZkXEaiMZJWw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="female moorhen" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjH-s_4ins6jek3qwzgkK3035ocXMdYkU-1LFBvLQWv_qQDaHinu00PxPz0A9suQJA17jIVFZR3gO6dToCzJ6H95CRZL6Clf6D0CONbYyZJ3N65CJhE_BGpSGdXUM6SyfZkXEaiMZJWw/s1600/1.jpg" title="female moorhen in tree" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female moorhen in tree</td></tr>
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<strong>Birdwatching</strong> is a delight and never more so that when birds are nesting. This photo journal by wildlife photographer AnnMackieMiller documents one moorhen's nest along the Leeds to Liverpool canal.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">Moorhens are great climbers so it was no surprise to find them nesting in a tree - they like to keep the nest hidden away from predators like mink and, in the water, pike. What was more surprising was the demonstration of ingenuity in how they pulled down a branch to get a start up the tree to the nest.</span></div>
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How to spot a moorhen's nest</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgu3ZrRipGzVA4L6VVO7bQWB3CbXHLchMujBHQwEFT1IE2YaXCVzbNqIwNXn9wFlUXSx9sVg8PMSo11UHxP_ghCa5gV5PitSjk9ABpXti5BBQ-mAub641QTYBd2JpJ8-45JZJCCbBmzo/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen with reeds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgu3ZrRipGzVA4L6VVO7bQWB3CbXHLchMujBHQwEFT1IE2YaXCVzbNqIwNXn9wFlUXSx9sVg8PMSo11UHxP_ghCa5gV5PitSjk9ABpXti5BBQ-mAub641QTYBd2JpJ8-45JZJCCbBmzo/s1600/2.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen carrying nesting material" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult moorhen carrying nesting material</td></tr>
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Moorhens nests can be hard to spot, especially once trees and shrubs take on new growth as Spring advances. Mostly you spot them by watching for both adults taking nesting materials into the nest.</div>
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Both adult moorhens are responsible for nest-building and they are very keen and very meticulous in their duty. The rule they seem to live by is 'never go back to the nest empty-beaked'. This gives the birder the ideal opportunity to see where the nest is hidden. Before eggs are laid you will see both adults out of the nest and <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Diary-of-a-Moorhens-Nest-Rebuilding" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">carrying nesting material back</a>.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">Once eggs have been laid, the nest it is never left unattended. The adults take shifts in going off to feed and to forage for likely nesting material and then do a shift change - one off, one on. When the chicks hatch out, you will see the adults taking food back to the nest. It is often handed over to the </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Straight-From-the-Egg-The-First-Moorhen-Chicks-on-Bingley-Canal" style="color: #551a8b; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">sitting moorhen </a><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">to pass onto the chicks but the carrier will feed the young ones too. .. and still the nest building continues.</span></div>
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Information on Moorhens</h2>
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Moorhens are delightful little birds often seen on local ponds and rivers. They have long yellow legs and splayed toes which are ideal for climbing and for negotiating reeds and boggy vegetation that is their favourite habitat. They belong to the rail family.</div>
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Adult moorhens can be describes as plumb dark coloured birds. They are roughly the size of a pigeon but with much longer legs. Generally they are slate grey (gray) with brown feathering. They have a paled undercarriage - the female's paler than the males. They also have white strips down their sides and white under-feathers on the tail. They use these for displaying and for aggressive poses. They will also bob their white underfeathers when they are trying to lure danger away from their young.</div>
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They are most distinctive for the red frontal shield and bill that ends in a yellow tip. These charismatic creatures swim with a forward bob of the head.</div>
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It was fascinating to watch this pair of moorhens. Like most they like to hide the nest high in trees and bushes and they are adept climbers.</div>
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Once I spotted an adult plucking nesting material from the bank, it was an easy matter to follow it down stream to the nest site.</div>
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Once it got there, the branch was a bit above the water but this is no problem - the bird used his big feet to pull the branch down to a level where he could begin to climb. Those feet did the rest. He had no sooner disappeared into the canopy, the female appeared on her way out to forage.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCso_2WEElJ4Z405WoHCR1sEiSRvn362cTKiJQTFdX_nZSlCsvA4b5gmTkwyFGLeV1OpGp3RnWy10S3KM8DK2l1agGguZmNFgCjClPBf17uw_M-p5LaPNOihlARxsRfKaIvlpHwV_Sy0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="male moorhen with tree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCso_2WEElJ4Z405WoHCR1sEiSRvn362cTKiJQTFdX_nZSlCsvA4b5gmTkwyFGLeV1OpGp3RnWy10S3KM8DK2l1agGguZmNFgCjClPBf17uw_M-p5LaPNOihlARxsRfKaIvlpHwV_Sy0/s1600/4.jpg" height="400" title="male moorhen pulling down tree branch" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Male Moorhen<br />'First you have to pull the branch down to water level...'</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mbps57peNh9MHXp75sDk69UD9jqigaHLqPSPQ1PCngIfDPhT3oNFLWSDh0Ogw_eqp7A09OPKNp_cjkyfcm1Jzz-8x4j62MJXUZgkGeWEemKTeb_PnuT3gV3x9TU6bv6t4oksz-PYzmM/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="moorhen with nesting material" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mbps57peNh9MHXp75sDk69UD9jqigaHLqPSPQ1PCngIfDPhT3oNFLWSDh0Ogw_eqp7A09OPKNp_cjkyfcm1Jzz-8x4j62MJXUZgkGeWEemKTeb_PnuT3gV3x9TU6bv6t4oksz-PYzmM/s1600/5.jpg" height="400" title="moorhen on tree" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Moorhen 'then you use.big feet to scramble up branches ...'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVIv6wFvgCQf2a581iW29pLJJRDWjP7_yY60njtjOM2CZkkrW792snDHNEggJ-EV0Z4y0aTckNH_YKhyOlbhxoeD8_55IWLxTn9sNvAgkcROUU4H2zP-fzzLU2Oz0cgUy9CAzYc3LUSA/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="moorhen in tree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVIv6wFvgCQf2a581iW29pLJJRDWjP7_yY60njtjOM2CZkkrW792snDHNEggJ-EV0Z4y0aTckNH_YKhyOlbhxoeD8_55IWLxTn9sNvAgkcROUU4H2zP-fzzLU2Oz0cgUy9CAzYc3LUSA/s1600/6.jpg" height="400" title="moorhen climbing tree" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">moorhen ' ...and wings are essential for balance.'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdKY8GmYGVpBXdqt0pVcFB9G8xCgOoRXunzBiXWLY_ESH-k803mTNAo2xJrbCOdzVzfe2DX8BXoK0FqnBdGjNAdc9jIEtgWsJ7urfprhwTdKQBE0yXeagZjHSYlX_CsXOSal4DYs6xcU/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen climbing into tree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdKY8GmYGVpBXdqt0pVcFB9G8xCgOoRXunzBiXWLY_ESH-k803mTNAo2xJrbCOdzVzfe2DX8BXoK0FqnBdGjNAdc9jIEtgWsJ7urfprhwTdKQBE0yXeagZjHSYlX_CsXOSal4DYs6xcU/s1600/7.jpg" height="400" title="adult moorhen climbing tree" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Adult moorhen climbing into tree</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_dB4WuCZ_rSUMA7EzmY0_LcZKNtsYerD52eaMZ2IlC-SXvGZhpDNbNPJMYO4bjdcbVib8DN0cUegLDQhdK869BM8J0zSUNgRgb0jn56gEaHHTepzgwZtDnvi4eSbuoOKOe4DNyN1vsc/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen climbing tree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_dB4WuCZ_rSUMA7EzmY0_LcZKNtsYerD52eaMZ2IlC-SXvGZhpDNbNPJMYO4bjdcbVib8DN0cUegLDQhdK869BM8J0zSUNgRgb0jn56gEaHHTepzgwZtDnvi4eSbuoOKOe4DNyN1vsc/s1600/8.jpg" height="400" title="adult moorhen climbing tree" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult moorhen climbing tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnyasszS6zFLs_7jOh-zQWKwhHB0PaeJQ2Qz9yl3T7tD-R1ahtUkQwHujU0nBaFbZHGEHEVKCAFSujIJlhS9_F-GGItT7D2u6ZBMxMhEtbn5h__0piRwkXGdjGscTfcEzPjNnO1Mj9cQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="female moorhen" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnyasszS6zFLs_7jOh-zQWKwhHB0PaeJQ2Qz9yl3T7tD-R1ahtUkQwHujU0nBaFbZHGEHEVKCAFSujIJlhS9_F-GGItT7D2u6ZBMxMhEtbn5h__0piRwkXGdjGscTfcEzPjNnO1Mj9cQ/s1600/9.jpg" height="400" title="female moorhen leaving nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a quick change and the female leaves the nest - moorhen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAaXJ9_d6aGzPgjzTUVH1QcRF99kFbn3g5C2gby4jFv4ulWx1uC345BY91n2XtkYQ-uEKR2yHmF5Ojs-Zu3aQcE2P1IC92eDFnncwmw-BNF6off0etjnycZEFmxck_1yDS-NKddfhbXU/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="female adult moorhen" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAaXJ9_d6aGzPgjzTUVH1QcRF99kFbn3g5C2gby4jFv4ulWx1uC345BY91n2XtkYQ-uEKR2yHmF5Ojs-Zu3aQcE2P1IC92eDFnncwmw-BNF6off0etjnycZEFmxck_1yDS-NKddfhbXU/s1600/10.jpg" height="400" title="female adult moorhen" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female adult moorhen in tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yvFooZjTEJQyqd7cWad9K4GoQbGnu-H0FqkIwfGOQySYpMgOGt3fgswvpYbTWeW9VHbklH4dluGNauCTgezbI_hXFTcq0K9Yv7k8rXEZI7svJoIUIbC8wtPLDKVWn_ZsWsNwRf9FdpE/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="female adult moorhen in tree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yvFooZjTEJQyqd7cWad9K4GoQbGnu-H0FqkIwfGOQySYpMgOGt3fgswvpYbTWeW9VHbklH4dluGNauCTgezbI_hXFTcq0K9Yv7k8rXEZI7svJoIUIbC8wtPLDKVWn_ZsWsNwRf9FdpE/s1600/11.jpg" height="400" title="female adult moorhen leaving nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female moorhen in tree</td></tr>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-36752634207627670372015-01-12T07:24:00.001-08:002015-01-12T07:24:56.082-08:00Meet the Nuthatch<h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px;">
<strong>Nuthatch: Sitta europea</strong></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9wtqcMOGuSHJx2_ekIdNz6gPCrNYWlDKK4d8ljqxJvuvQ4Il7CS2oILApemMxF82sPFsBEiEtYffjOl0v8NfGvejeoMOWdy3R0GA5c6O_iBAHjSo4-bpFosWEe17IY6WhqaFcwaXK6M/s1600/nuthatch01+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on tree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9wtqcMOGuSHJx2_ekIdNz6gPCrNYWlDKK4d8ljqxJvuvQ4Il7CS2oILApemMxF82sPFsBEiEtYffjOl0v8NfGvejeoMOWdy3R0GA5c6O_iBAHjSo4-bpFosWEe17IY6WhqaFcwaXK6M/s1600/nuthatch01+comp.jpg" height="256" title="nuthatch on tree by annmackiemiller" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">nuthatch in typical pose on tree</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">The original name of this colourful bird was 'nut-hack', named so from its habit of wedging a nut in a crevice in a tree so it could hack it open with its beak. I hope you enjoy these pictures and information about these lovely birds.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">Facts about The Nuthatch</span></h2>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">It eats nuts seed and any insects it finds in bark. It is a very agile bird that creeps head first up AND down tree trunks, unlike tree creepers. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">It will feed on the ground, at feeders and at bird tables and is often seen in gardens mixing with tits though it is definitely higher in the pecking order and will scare away other birds.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">They are known to take food from bird tables and store it elsewhere for later, usually within quite a small territory of where they nest. Might explain those unexpected plants growing in odd places in your garden.</span><br />
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It is about 5 and half inches in length, weighs about 6 ounces and has a wingspan of around 7 inches.<br />
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Both sexes are similar. They are plump birds with short, square tails of black and white feathers. It is a pretty soft blue-grey upper parts with orange flanks and buff underparts. It has a strong pointed bill and a black eye-stripe that looks like a mask.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuON5M_J-3yR_N-PSercnG9QZBeCEbWcgkzqtyE1gYJbQ7yUbVi7EJLMjlnaowxL2pxmuFazsvi-AsSVS6tcgb_IUlx0aTzC4CXhy7DTGE4oeFwLMbqWACArlwOLSSUzQGCdtg8D4j2iY/s1600/nuthatch+002+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuON5M_J-3yR_N-PSercnG9QZBeCEbWcgkzqtyE1gYJbQ7yUbVi7EJLMjlnaowxL2pxmuFazsvi-AsSVS6tcgb_IUlx0aTzC4CXhy7DTGE4oeFwLMbqWACArlwOLSSUzQGCdtg8D4j2iY/s1600/nuthatch+002+comp.jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch feeding on seeds" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">nuthatch feeding on seeds</td></tr>
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They can be quite difficult to photograph as they are so fast. I was lucky with this one at Leighton Moss because someone had left seeds on a tree root and it kept coming back to the same spot.<br />
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Nuthatches at Upton</h2>
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In 2014 I was really lucky to find a pair of breeding nuthatches nesting in a box in my friends garden. Plenty of opportunity to watch this pair. I'd read in books about them plastering mud at the entrance to their nesting holes in trees so it was fascinating to see this pair adding mud to the nesting box.<br />
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They can lay up to 11 eggs. The female generally incubates the eggs which will hatch in around 14 days. They will fledge in around 20 days after being fed by both parents. When the parents feel the chicks should be leaving the nest they entice them out with food.<br />
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This pair produced two chicks we could watch being fed though not photographed - they are very protective and easily spooked away from the nest to perch in high branches until the camera-woman takes herself off. My friends saw at least one of the chicks fledge. </div>
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<br />Photo Gallery Nuthatches</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkrgkmmPEmWR_KEp1k-vA9UawEFENlGRmsnyUITVN8p02LZkaBV2OlY7545EcY7VoGGJdJ-qMyfWNvhNATaa_-ZYHXLahBZVGuE00GuM2YU7wsg9kQ0kIzU9KVMHtOVJPXYHtllAl92Q/s1600/nuthatch+001+300dpi+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkrgkmmPEmWR_KEp1k-vA9UawEFENlGRmsnyUITVN8p02LZkaBV2OlY7545EcY7VoGGJdJ-qMyfWNvhNATaa_-ZYHXLahBZVGuE00GuM2YU7wsg9kQ0kIzU9KVMHtOVJPXYHtllAl92Q/s1600/nuthatch+001+300dpi+(4).jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch on garden feeder - look at how those claws curl round to perch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHAGyNPX87PYuvZRXgjkYk4zvrnhE23nSVby4LhOGYc6W0CEcs-6PIVqCmgOyFHU5IClZnNEVStEdyo2sy-XBWZ9cXiDtawbiB4RxzO0H8iPiNSzNYkzcJoTPPrME31-qHdkNOBynKKc/s1600/nuthatch+001+300dpi+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder with seed in its beak" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHAGyNPX87PYuvZRXgjkYk4zvrnhE23nSVby4LhOGYc6W0CEcs-6PIVqCmgOyFHU5IClZnNEVStEdyo2sy-XBWZ9cXiDtawbiB4RxzO0H8iPiNSzNYkzcJoTPPrME31-qHdkNOBynKKc/s1600/nuthatch+001+300dpi+(5).jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch with seed in its beak" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always associate nutatches with this pose - </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gOM5qesbkzxI9n5dni0WmMfWgNQTObIjEiNifMsg6oIRLPPPy0_92AIfD5yakTbN6WoGKv5Zk5K36yx_hou0IMwnY4T_bMaeW_CqQrjuRZxlWdiIaUKpRKrdxzfHlBs-IGPUo7LiLV4/s1600/nuthatch+002+300dpi+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gOM5qesbkzxI9n5dni0WmMfWgNQTObIjEiNifMsg6oIRLPPPy0_92AIfD5yakTbN6WoGKv5Zk5K36yx_hou0IMwnY4T_bMaeW_CqQrjuRZxlWdiIaUKpRKrdxzfHlBs-IGPUo7LiLV4/s1600/nuthatch+002+300dpi+(3).jpg" height="400" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">contemplating which is best - nuthatch on garden feeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireQyDfAfNT1KOpbyJBEdEcH5OZNEdIghvuLLy9-Y5pORuxDtEAhOTM4RPBtdVOorieH1kgHnqJXneqZDbrrRfnBtVpyNZnD69CkwvDE1oZF4omx0cw7ZhBwek8BKcT8S9lEfC0_AYzl4/s1600/nuthatch+002+300dpi+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireQyDfAfNT1KOpbyJBEdEcH5OZNEdIghvuLLy9-Y5pORuxDtEAhOTM4RPBtdVOorieH1kgHnqJXneqZDbrrRfnBtVpyNZnD69CkwvDE1oZF4omx0cw7ZhBwek8BKcT8S9lEfC0_AYzl4/s1600/nuthatch+002+300dpi+(5).jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch perched on bird feeder - look at those claws!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofmHK6Jjm5CcjLYKKftXOdSE5G_RquQOH4P6jMUgdDcxIlM_iV6K1dOwce_IDcCtm3ytvG1dGEjETFfJ4UfjPx0LamOCYrPlRfihbzN_RCVfowV-eO1vR2bVmhMrLJVYptcGHDAjJ9_4/s1600/nuthatch+002+320dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="nuthatch perched on garden feeder with seed in beak" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofmHK6Jjm5CcjLYKKftXOdSE5G_RquQOH4P6jMUgdDcxIlM_iV6K1dOwce_IDcCtm3ytvG1dGEjETFfJ4UfjPx0LamOCYrPlRfihbzN_RCVfowV-eO1vR2bVmhMrLJVYptcGHDAjJ9_4/s1600/nuthatch+002+320dpi.jpg" height="400" title="nuthatch on feeder with seed in beak" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpJPaTOgT2NMr0cEePzRhqY4TW9_MKUm8Im_SgBA9EoxlAsMZVEwaBks9-i_6qWVLLAxzKm8anCn8173G0S5G0n0gG13E13Ps8F9jQKV9-yNnF5221uJle5GTO7MvYCjIvJcbcJtAmCc/s1600/nuthatch+002+300dpi+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder with seed in beak" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpJPaTOgT2NMr0cEePzRhqY4TW9_MKUm8Im_SgBA9EoxlAsMZVEwaBks9-i_6qWVLLAxzKm8anCn8173G0S5G0n0gG13E13Ps8F9jQKV9-yNnF5221uJle5GTO7MvYCjIvJcbcJtAmCc/s1600/nuthatch+002+300dpi+(4).jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on garden feeder with seed in beak" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'I'll take this one." nuthatch on garden feeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OJKoL94ZwscYC-F0wn1OOajb5rFUWshwAdmTPqg5p0LLbj1nNn1wmE_7S-wbz4PVFeOVWFOR2BILrFlSCAZZJNf4KVJBUWrOFOXn852L1au_DTR7lvqEmQKp8WkyOPNjusYeafuXGwo/s1600/nuthatch+02+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OJKoL94ZwscYC-F0wn1OOajb5rFUWshwAdmTPqg5p0LLbj1nNn1wmE_7S-wbz4PVFeOVWFOR2BILrFlSCAZZJNf4KVJBUWrOFOXn852L1au_DTR7lvqEmQKp8WkyOPNjusYeafuXGwo/s1600/nuthatch+02+300dpi.jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">typcial nuthatch pose - </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen8x5Zjko0-gm4zeqCPftWRaLCo4LQlIRiAqb4qdE_6vxxaQ5e0tqE2ykLfGZaVAu-zC4GR8hFiw2LmgiosawPztEeEFVqBaQXP0By418aTxgKhLeYAqK1l-7hTC8KwFsnmi4K260nWI/s1600/nuthatch+003+300dpi+(2).jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch on garden feeder</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen8x5Zjko0-gm4zeqCPftWRaLCo4LQlIRiAqb4qdE_6vxxaQ5e0tqE2ykLfGZaVAu-zC4GR8hFiw2LmgiosawPztEeEFVqBaQXP0By418aTxgKhLeYAqK1l-7hTC8KwFsnmi4K260nWI/s1600/nuthatch+003+300dpi+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen8x5Zjko0-gm4zeqCPftWRaLCo4LQlIRiAqb4qdE_6vxxaQ5e0tqE2ykLfGZaVAu-zC4GR8hFiw2LmgiosawPztEeEFVqBaQXP0By418aTxgKhLeYAqK1l-7hTC8KwFsnmi4K260nWI/s1600/nuthatch+003+300dpi+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXaLbaJJSfw7JBIs-ybSlT4pohbM7FvZ4fKfOElW8flqonnKqm5wHLZME_bQZdBQZx76R_U5BoXPnG_77IytkvSN3Z0q80eOSFLqaJV_D7Q41ectXLmJDYKwI018ctQBM54B96IJjoJ0/s1600/nuthatch+004+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch with seed" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXaLbaJJSfw7JBIs-ybSlT4pohbM7FvZ4fKfOElW8flqonnKqm5wHLZME_bQZdBQZx76R_U5BoXPnG_77IytkvSN3Z0q80eOSFLqaJV_D7Q41ectXLmJDYKwI018ctQBM54B96IJjoJ0/s1600/nuthatch+004+300dpi.jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch with need</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUjWmTuTGSnG1LhFpme80ZzoS38phv6QwTJGqK331pwzArp4YrTGDNBCQ6O8FvAxr6T3CXMY-ABREM2fRYALXlmjACN8ACInYxQG_abHsfL9HBVAzcp_79CZ-38OwyXuZOUHhuRU3tv8/s1600/nuthatch+003+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUjWmTuTGSnG1LhFpme80ZzoS38phv6QwTJGqK331pwzArp4YrTGDNBCQ6O8FvAxr6T3CXMY-ABREM2fRYALXlmjACN8ACInYxQG_abHsfL9HBVAzcp_79CZ-38OwyXuZOUHhuRU3tv8/s1600/nuthatch+003+300dpi.jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch on garden feeder - 'poking around'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkji4Qr1DZSRw5edufmTU2LT2Z7w9S36wi3Si2uolfqLqdKOzuHFkX1nRTft8ZN2tQTvNlQKMgSEOINqF9Ir19DxV26ChPSdYYCsWMO1WNtSUmA3IKxPuHW5Q5PfsVM_M7VhZlR_6Ldfs/s1600/nuthatch+005+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on tree branch" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkji4Qr1DZSRw5edufmTU2LT2Z7w9S36wi3Si2uolfqLqdKOzuHFkX1nRTft8ZN2tQTvNlQKMgSEOINqF9Ir19DxV26ChPSdYYCsWMO1WNtSUmA3IKxPuHW5Q5PfsVM_M7VhZlR_6Ldfs/s1600/nuthatch+005+300dpi.jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch in tree" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch posing on branch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBMN2vEI-t5ApOZq1iXWrbOFbMK0TGTSkkpMT0IkkO_oikV2xWlp0Ne75KgUo7ojGRTJKQmz9tZcsdWtvq-SvbV6i_XUsLbfjWY7xAihDqNzg11jZnMM9SGrwkxoCFZtFO5xQSt-VZHg/s1600/nuthatch+S006+300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBMN2vEI-t5ApOZq1iXWrbOFbMK0TGTSkkpMT0IkkO_oikV2xWlp0Ne75KgUo7ojGRTJKQmz9tZcsdWtvq-SvbV6i_XUsLbfjWY7xAihDqNzg11jZnMM9SGrwkxoCFZtFO5xQSt-VZHg/s1600/nuthatch+S006+300dpi.jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on garden feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch feeding " all day buffet"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMG2iansZtjMmEN0p4RSOro8rYlZoiZwxcbuH9PWIAXVHs-OWqzUnrKBpwjjL4JX2EBeI7Bqc5htDZQTtkQ26Zu6CNhmz4XiyOGp8TKZOWHYfuCmoN67kVFxP9NSMp_4Daj4CDjvhxC8/s1600/nuthatch+001+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nuthatch on garden feeder" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMG2iansZtjMmEN0p4RSOro8rYlZoiZwxcbuH9PWIAXVHs-OWqzUnrKBpwjjL4JX2EBeI7Bqc5htDZQTtkQ26Zu6CNhmz4XiyOGp8TKZOWHYfuCmoN67kVFxP9NSMp_4Daj4CDjvhxC8/s1600/nuthatch+001+comp.jpg" height="320" title="nuthatch on feeder" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nuthatch on garden feeder</td></tr>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-13541861410619341682015-01-08T04:05:00.000-08:002016-01-17T06:50:29.681-08:00Bird Behaviour: Ritual Display of Northern Atlantic Gannets at Bempton Cliffs<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 39px;">Northern American Gannet at Bempton Cliffs: Meeting and Greeting Gannet Style</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwtL-fcYzy9PY2Uiam2GqtmqHDmd6Ehkl28m8TTssq79EdnK1sErY1kf5XRuhho1uQS6sLltudY_zOGJG9i9cNfKQXl2keMOIHf2MdTYrPilFtCsEf33XyDPI_LCQFSaJFknRpN-Z5FI/s1600/5328530_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="northern atlantic gannets on nest" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwtL-fcYzy9PY2Uiam2GqtmqHDmd6Ehkl28m8TTssq79EdnK1sErY1kf5XRuhho1uQS6sLltudY_zOGJG9i9cNfKQXl2keMOIHf2MdTYrPilFtCsEf33XyDPI_LCQFSaJFknRpN-Z5FI/s1600/5328530_f520.jpg" title="adult gannets on nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannets on the Nest at <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs/index.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQiA8rilBRDZu_G8hszXraoBEiQABlB9Y0hL_hfs46-SF-nXl5bS0nz_NqxSaAWU8mhMt9iXbeEaAv2N8P8HAQ" target="_blank">RSPB Bempton Cliffs</a></td></tr>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
The Gannet in Words and Pictures</h2>
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A delightful photo journal of ritual displays between breeding gannets. You will see them in greeting and bonding display, even bringing gifts! If bird behaviour fascinates you, you will enjoy these photographs.</div>
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IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS NATURE RESERVE YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW - SIGN THE PETITION TO STOP FRACKING AT BEMPTON CLIFFS</h3>
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- AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. </h3>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.38px; line-height: 20.7px;">http://action.sumofus.org/a/SSSI-fracking/2/4/</span></span></h3>
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<br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">I am republishing this as a protest against the decision to allow fracking in this area - PLEASE HELP </span></span></h3>
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Britain's Largest Marine Bird</h3>
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The Gannet is a large seabird, the largest, that comes into the coast of Britain to breed. They tend to come back to the same spot every year - and to the same mate. Most Gannet colonies are on islands, but the largest inland colony of Gannets can be found at <a href="http://watching-bingley-birds.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/birdwatching-at-bempton-cliffs-yorkshire.html" target="_blank">RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire.</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XHvn27DVxZAypWi99_AT1fbUrCiMbA0CiAiUp1pLNLlfQbKpj5SE7DUU9rmDwh7lX4mOndpDnjMKxpDBLg353r5OWle_QEMqlds93_LVCqQIo_xmSxCR52N4e71UBKKZIk696M81SZU/s1600/5328480_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Northern Atlantic Gannets" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XHvn27DVxZAypWi99_AT1fbUrCiMbA0CiAiUp1pLNLlfQbKpj5SE7DUU9rmDwh7lX4mOndpDnjMKxpDBLg353r5OWle_QEMqlds93_LVCqQIo_xmSxCR52N4e71UBKKZIk696M81SZU/s1600/5328480_f520.jpg" title="adult gannets" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannets</td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Greeting: </span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">It is fascinating to watch gannets meet and greet. Typically every time one comes back to the nest they go through a greeting ritual rubbing beaks and entwinning necks as if they are pleased to see each other. Maybe they are but it is also a way of renewing and strengthening the bond between them. They spend some time on this and the chick comes in for its share of attention too.</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9voI_npisU-g3jSHqcJq0y7bOJQod3RewPHU6Ftv6DdizftBcn0iFymsvwE-UDzNFbxLgcCyU-BF6A4gA1hTa-gB9iFBBFBPkJL3qL9kfi_mD9IeuuxcUunCWXgulmxd2KGNzYKFo_k/s1600/5328488_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9voI_npisU-g3jSHqcJq0y7bOJQod3RewPHU6Ftv6DdizftBcn0iFymsvwE-UDzNFbxLgcCyU-BF6A4gA1hTa-gB9iFBBFBPkJL3qL9kfi_mD9IeuuxcUunCWXgulmxd2KGNzYKFo_k/s1600/5328488_f520.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh292UdVbzf2zl6XlqBAw_EULXLpoCrJtFy30xac6wItSYLtRShd-6V_NJwRPR-K4LrU90_eV3xvyQaMdWhoNigil3hQyC1Rq1osdMrIKRIx-gryZ9spPxMbp0lSQ60bwux9YcvftMz3zM/s1600/5328494_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh292UdVbzf2zl6XlqBAw_EULXLpoCrJtFy30xac6wItSYLtRShd-6V_NJwRPR-K4LrU90_eV3xvyQaMdWhoNigil3hQyC1Rq1osdMrIKRIx-gryZ9spPxMbp0lSQ60bwux9YcvftMz3zM/s1600/5328494_f520.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Adult gannets ...and checking on the chick.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEulQfnpac6OU8NRIWgdAtOG4OUEVDsAB_b5nPd4oEzVnlrxuIDrtrlJkKOoKoFqhDBmLggd1t9cBSMK_fFSxZ2J_bQB-JuOFohyphenhyphenoimPjchBRjY9agMU4eI6KwT_4a8JthI_D7Gjasgo/s1600/5328479_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEulQfnpac6OU8NRIWgdAtOG4OUEVDsAB_b5nPd4oEzVnlrxuIDrtrlJkKOoKoFqhDBmLggd1t9cBSMK_fFSxZ2J_bQB-JuOFohyphenhyphenoimPjchBRjY9agMU4eI6KwT_4a8JthI_D7Gjasgo/s1600/5328479_f520.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">It doesn't seem to matter how precarious their perch looks to us, the display goes on.</span> </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwtL-fcYzy9PY2Uiam2GqtmqHDmd6Ehkl28m8TTssq79EdnK1sErY1kf5XRuhho1uQS6sLltudY_zOGJG9i9cNfKQXl2keMOIHf2MdTYrPilFtCsEf33XyDPI_LCQFSaJFknRpN-Z5FI/s1600/5328530_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwtL-fcYzy9PY2Uiam2GqtmqHDmd6Ehkl28m8TTssq79EdnK1sErY1kf5XRuhho1uQS6sLltudY_zOGJG9i9cNfKQXl2keMOIHf2MdTYrPilFtCsEf33XyDPI_LCQFSaJFknRpN-Z5FI/s1600/5328530_f520.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ritual Display Gannets on Nest with Chick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vtdJjSZORhvMmrI1aSUuaLUP-MSvMvbL5rJVdgYqcEGry_4yFJUuBd3dPzRG0VQP-4cpNtXeZYCBk-PPousoZUPv4FQkZXJZGSyFQLEJ0bgfLFOOqUsiaaw_n-ffUrJQhbBN_UhSql8/s1600/5328470_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vtdJjSZORhvMmrI1aSUuaLUP-MSvMvbL5rJVdgYqcEGry_4yFJUuBd3dPzRG0VQP-4cpNtXeZYCBk-PPousoZUPv4FQkZXJZGSyFQLEJ0bgfLFOOqUsiaaw_n-ffUrJQhbBN_UhSql8/s1600/5328470_f260.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"room for me?" Chick in nest with displaying adult gannets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq80wh3z4dLQNaNNsksvQx3lOOJ0T61uK19TRni5QN83GxEMbJyp1VUN2z2RS-rN-gld4ISoPrJJ18zpQCoVJNudn8oaOOIvYQ5KEMs-rGImGsIAg3RYlOfXPQZsuwBLZAVVRR-NYQpY/s1600/5328522_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets on cliff nest with chick" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq80wh3z4dLQNaNNsksvQx3lOOJ0T61uK19TRni5QN83GxEMbJyp1VUN2z2RS-rN-gld4ISoPrJJ18zpQCoVJNudn8oaOOIvYQ5KEMs-rGImGsIAg3RYlOfXPQZsuwBLZAVVRR-NYQpY/s1600/5328522_f520.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Display on the nest" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spreading those impressive wings - adult gannets in ritual display</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMk1CJrWOHmxmLqOzlmD12KzlqMsQeo1winBo2Xm3RXvu6Tz52ik3AS78QFy1FWzFBECezB9QkkNz8IPtZtnUDUAXn3Cm5tL9ki0GAAHM5K3kkFCDurRq3bBe3dQWJFGWHc78pT1Zdu8/s1600/5328524_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets on cliff edge nest" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMk1CJrWOHmxmLqOzlmD12KzlqMsQeo1winBo2Xm3RXvu6Tz52ik3AS78QFy1FWzFBECezB9QkkNz8IPtZtnUDUAXn3Cm5tL9ki0GAAHM5K3kkFCDurRq3bBe3dQWJFGWHc78pT1Zdu8/s1600/5328524_f520.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ritual display Northern Atlantic Gannets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxluOxZ3unsGNWsSRiQAt-gt1qqrMZtzsIp7rBFAlGM30AeGIt7VedPq3nNNrEymDH6ezJdjQcTYPBuODwF_cXOmsUumWqGpZOSKsS6BNpSUgSZhdJY5dJ1yaZwF9lcVjUNY-PQO-2e20/s1600/5328526_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxluOxZ3unsGNWsSRiQAt-gt1qqrMZtzsIp7rBFAlGM30AeGIt7VedPq3nNNrEymDH6ezJdjQcTYPBuODwF_cXOmsUumWqGpZOSKsS6BNpSUgSZhdJY5dJ1yaZwF9lcVjUNY-PQO-2e20/s1600/5328526_f520.jpg" title="Adult Gannets in Ritual Greeting Display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult gannets with chick on cliff edge nest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggre979SAMG59V9_u6_xTElw1lmCha-rWk5Hcwo0hr5GV8ma54YmCwl5HTtVmj9rXx2D7WmfVcXKyeGSjlqqOIuHFzbGkpfkT1_vvK7ce8f75Qd5QKedFXRfPftrv07cTkQtTDxvFYHNM/s1600/5328528_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannet grooming his mate" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggre979SAMG59V9_u6_xTElw1lmCha-rWk5Hcwo0hr5GV8ma54YmCwl5HTtVmj9rXx2D7WmfVcXKyeGSjlqqOIuHFzbGkpfkT1_vvK7ce8f75Qd5QKedFXRfPftrv07cTkQtTDxvFYHNM/s1600/5328528_f520.jpg" title="adult gannets on nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grooming adult gannets on nest</td></tr>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Grooming Gannets are bonding Gannets</h2>
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Grooming each other forms a major part of the bonding of adult Gannets. It is a bit like supping with a long spoon: when your own won't reach - get a friend to help. Those long beaks are handy to rid your partner of pests and to smooth the feathers in those hard to reach places. Seabirds especially need to keep their feathers in tip-top condition, especially for the deep diving these birds do for feeding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqmkdSs-wW3X61ONHuGVKJRCEpWNxBhjBEX3srlZ_23ivIsojOJtq3-xQUfkK4mJ8oSX8qCRrn8qO4Tf6KXKfPXxkbrHLqRTVvJcM0LJIVjeVN2Tzbh5Uvftd9oOFHpyefHDi7HaxQOI/s1600/5328547_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets grooming each other" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqmkdSs-wW3X61ONHuGVKJRCEpWNxBhjBEX3srlZ_23ivIsojOJtq3-xQUfkK4mJ8oSX8qCRrn8qO4Tf6KXKfPXxkbrHLqRTVvJcM0LJIVjeVN2Tzbh5Uvftd9oOFHpyefHDi7HaxQOI/s1600/5328547_f520.jpg" title="adult gannets grooming each other" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grooming adult gannets on nest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX14gsiJu9ei0PlnRC0KLFvUYpEXRR611YTa0RTmtqJJuczraU4OH4FsiL1KgpDFx4Wnhqj2VYiNnTImTgsSBSkau4QB1Jpkps-zCS4wHnyGHKqo6EEK2LWi3MRtcnomGi-GHBtCtpSY/s1600/5328549_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets grooming each other on nest" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX14gsiJu9ei0PlnRC0KLFvUYpEXRR611YTa0RTmtqJJuczraU4OH4FsiL1KgpDFx4Wnhqj2VYiNnTImTgsSBSkau4QB1Jpkps-zCS4wHnyGHKqo6EEK2LWi3MRtcnomGi-GHBtCtpSY/s1600/5328549_f520.jpg" title="adult gannets grooming each other" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult gannets grooming each other</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YsYCwJyfNuFr2pBD3O72FiecpQdrOQWvAEJRoSQKwGP0rRjH228oLYp-I3pXqRDWDEZiBkDQTfjkd-oQpJ82Tf71UQj9OHhyd2zTuPdd-ennM2mYpisOeOT3VU10Rim2eVpqfT7_XZE/s1600/5328550_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets grooming each other" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YsYCwJyfNuFr2pBD3O72FiecpQdrOQWvAEJRoSQKwGP0rRjH228oLYp-I3pXqRDWDEZiBkDQTfjkd-oQpJ82Tf71UQj9OHhyd2zTuPdd-ennM2mYpisOeOT3VU10Rim2eVpqfT7_XZE/s1600/5328550_f520.jpg" title="adult gannets grooming each other" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting to those hard-to-reach places<br />
adult gannets grooming each other</td></tr>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 1.2em;">Gannets bearing gifts</span></h2>
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All this was wonderful to watch and easily explained. What happened next? Not so much! At first I thought the returning Gannet was bringing in fresh seaweed for the nest, after all I had watched several bringing in grass and so on. But watching this pair it seemed much more than that, the gifts brought back appears to have been part of the bonding of these adults.</div>
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In the pictures below you can see the female with seaweed draped over her back. I had thought it was there by accident but now I'm not so sure. She spent quite some time pulling it this way and that and when the male reappeared she spread her wings so it looked for all the world like a lady with her shawl. In his beak when he came back was fresh grass which was laid in the nest only after some display. Is it my imagination or does she look rather smug? That bill and mouth does tend to give the impression of smiling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDyiahyaXUIGsU0fbJy1t31oqVgL-zizei-Ui5OpU9pxLSomBOS2ODSyPLbwxxuqXz0PhcUc6qC9ajlM_F5exXCafjo83QuF_ifA8DtdEBDgujAMMFOgL2ccYqedgDzQtPdzeuiYyBRs/s1600/5328503_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Adult Gannet arranges seaweed 'shawl'" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDyiahyaXUIGsU0fbJy1t31oqVgL-zizei-Ui5OpU9pxLSomBOS2ODSyPLbwxxuqXz0PhcUc6qC9ajlM_F5exXCafjo83QuF_ifA8DtdEBDgujAMMFOgL2ccYqedgDzQtPdzeuiYyBRs/s1600/5328503_f520.jpg" title=" Adult Gannet arranges seaweed 'shawl'" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"my new shawl" the female Adult Gannet pulls and tugs to arrange seaweed 'shawl'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-_4gK3ie7w027sLUrvSOZK8OP9mU_ZjDlqcfMgbLaHwY6Fx_0zIHV0M83yX3gt2vVDvE0k2VixOyZ5ZcRqVTHGkYsC5w8_C-lxoEji_of6_mjHJMUm2AuwY-imbxznJrawJiPNOGs0U/s1600/5328481_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Adult Gannets bringing seaweed to the nest" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-_4gK3ie7w027sLUrvSOZK8OP9mU_ZjDlqcfMgbLaHwY6Fx_0zIHV0M83yX3gt2vVDvE0k2VixOyZ5ZcRqVTHGkYsC5w8_C-lxoEji_of6_mjHJMUm2AuwY-imbxznJrawJiPNOGs0U/s1600/5328481_f520.jpg" title=" Adult Gannets " width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult gannets on nest </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XHvn27DVxZAypWi99_AT1fbUrCiMbA0CiAiUp1pLNLlfQbKpj5SE7DUU9rmDwh7lX4mOndpDnjMKxpDBLg353r5OWle_QEMqlds93_LVCqQIo_xmSxCR52N4e71UBKKZIk696M81SZU/s1600/5328480_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult gannets on nest" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XHvn27DVxZAypWi99_AT1fbUrCiMbA0CiAiUp1pLNLlfQbKpj5SE7DUU9rmDwh7lX4mOndpDnjMKxpDBLg353r5OWle_QEMqlds93_LVCqQIo_xmSxCR52N4e71UBKKZIk696M81SZU/s1600/5328480_f520.jpg" title=" Adult Gannets on nest with seaweed " width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"thank you dear" Adult Gannet displaying seaweed 'shawl</td></tr>
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<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">Where do Gannets nest?</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">As often as not the answer to that is 'right on the edge'. Gannets can nest on cliff edges that are almost perpendicular as shown in the photos. It may seem a precarious perch to us but they still manage to give a fine courtship display while their chick is huddled behind them. Eventually, when the adults are through with the love display, the chick gets in on the act.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">For your information: Gannets as divers</span></h2>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">Gannets are truly remarkable birds and can seem as at home in water as in the sky. They have been called missile divers and have been documented reaching great depths. Modern technology allows us to watch these feathered machines below the waves.</span></div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Facts about Gannets</h2>
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For those you like facts:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Order - Pelecaniformes</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Family - Sulidae</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Species - Morus bassanus</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Common name - Gannet</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Length - 34-35 inches</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Wingspan - 5-6 feet</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Weight - 6-7 lbs</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Lifespan - 20 + years</li>
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Gannets are particularly elegant birds for their size. They are the largest European seabirds. The adults are pure white with black feathers on the outer edge of the wings, so when they are onland they look as if they have black tail feathers. They have black feet and legs. They have a beautiful peach-coloured blush on the head and the nape of the neck. They have a long sharp grey-blue beak with black lining and piercing blue eyes.</div>
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In flight the black edging to the wings is evident and the head goes out and forward. They feed by diving deep for fish they spy from high above. The wings are folded back to <a href="http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/weirdest-cape-gannets" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">dive</a> and they can dive to great depths.</div>
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Gannets flock together, indeed they are packed solidly in breeding colonies but pairs retain individual relationships that are endearing to watch. One will leave the nest frequently to feed (the chicks are feed by regurgitation) or to collect grass and seaweed. Whenever they come back they go through an elaborate greeting ritual with much beak rubbing and entwining of necks.<br />
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-7406954682349018462015-01-07T03:34:00.000-08:002015-01-12T15:16:18.590-08:00How to Sponsor a Hen<div class="module moduleText color0" id="mod_11806806" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; margin: 0px 0px 1.4em; padding: 0px;">
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How to Rescue Battery Hens </h2>
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Why bother about battery hens?</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoG2Z_g102GIUDatea8oyIS-wMF-gxrQwGfBe7ZRYZXrDmLTqMJeiXf9OBATvIynYIs84JexF3hsuqNOBkKk13yKztK3uJYApx9DlOntRDJl7nNm9hCaKQJ3EbhXsOUEXXvjvkQxNv_M/s1600/4324725_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="rescued battery hens http://www.bhwt.org.uk/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoG2Z_g102GIUDatea8oyIS-wMF-gxrQwGfBe7ZRYZXrDmLTqMJeiXf9OBATvIynYIs84JexF3hsuqNOBkKk13yKztK3uJYApx9DlOntRDJl7nNm9hCaKQJ3EbhXsOUEXXvjvkQxNv_M/s1600/4324725_f260.jpg" height="320" title="rescued battery hens http://www.bhwt.org.uk/" width="105" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rescued battery hens<br />
with <a href="http://www.bhwt.org.uk/" target="_blank">British Hen Welfare Trust</a></td></tr>
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There are currently around 16 million hens living in cramped conditions, each on larger than an A4 piece of paper - that's right, about the size of the letter. Even with the growing awareness and public outcry, battery hens and their eggs continue to find their way into our food chain, often hidden in processed foods and in restaurants. You may be among the millions of people who will only buy free range eggs for consumptions but you may also be unaware of how this inhumane industry continues to thrive hidden from public view.<br />
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The British Hen Welfare Trust was established around 2003 with the aim to increase public awareness, to rehome and rescue battery hens that would otherwise be slaughtered. They are also committed to encouraging UK to become producers of completely free range.</div>
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The Trust is a charity and so relies on donations. There are several ways you can become involved: you can take three or more hens and give them a good retirement home; you can campaign for better conditions for commercial hens or you can adopt a hen. For a very reasonable cost of under £20 you can adopt a hen and ensure care for it throughout its life. This makes a wonderful gift you can give all year round.</div>
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Sponsoring a Hen</h2>
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When you sponsor your hen - you can pick one from the gallery of characters. When you adopt your bird you or the person you are gifting the adoption to will receive a certificate, the story and photos of your chosen hen, a car sticker to show the world you care, two blank greeting cards to spread the word and a six month update of how your bird is getting on. </div>
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The present cost of adoption is £24 for an adult pack and £20 for a child pack -</div>
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that is under £2 a month </div>
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that is 3 bottles of wine</div>
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that is one meal out for 4</div>
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that is life for a hen! </div>
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Go to the <a href="http://www.bhwt.org.uk/" target="_blank">British Hen Welfare Trust</a> site to find out how.</div>
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Some rescued battery hens</h2>
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Other ways to help</h2>
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These suggestions are directly from the British Hen Welfare Trust </div>
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There are several ways in which you can help battery hens indirectly:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">By becoming a caring consumer</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">By word of mouth</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">By the written word</li>
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Egg on the free range farmers</h3>
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Many supermarkets acknowledge the growing trend towards ethical eating and as well as offering free range shell eggs, offer processed food products containing free range eggs or egg derivatives. Please support these hen friendly supermarkets, take the time to tell a member of staff that is why you choose to shop there or fill in a customer comments form so you can be sure that management get to hear your views.</div>
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Start crowing about free range farming</h3>
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Talking about battery hens is one of the best ways to enlist support. Tell your family, friends and work colleagues they too can help take a battery hen out of her cage simply by selecting products that use eggs from welfare friendly sources.Of course, those of our supporters who offer free range retirement to some ex-bats have the perfect excuse to spread the word about their feathered family members; in fact left to their own devices, the hens will do a pretty good PR job themselves!</div>
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Drop a LINE There are many ways in which you can help battery hens by writing to:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Your local MP</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Your local supermarket</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Food manufacturer</li>
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templates for these letters are available on the website.</div>
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OR - you can knit a sweat for rescued hens! </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6P4hKvKpGj7CnSXZ9fp1LZT_P9OvBOHX5-plbpBmGET2LtZWLnfUDslTo9Dhdvha8-tuoaqr0U-mLUroxXbqygHO-p0afpgkvW9HAT-3mFz8ztjqC5T8szJEggqR8-E5o8_XSsitMyk/s1600/article-1254021-087A2BB0000005DC-744_468x301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="chickents in jumpers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6P4hKvKpGj7CnSXZ9fp1LZT_P9OvBOHX5-plbpBmGET2LtZWLnfUDslTo9Dhdvha8-tuoaqr0U-mLUroxXbqygHO-p0afpgkvW9HAT-3mFz8ztjqC5T8szJEggqR8-E5o8_XSsitMyk/s1600/article-1254021-087A2BB0000005DC-744_468x301.jpg" height="205" title="chickens in jumpers" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chickens in jumpers - image from<br />
<span style="font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">Jo Eglen at the Little Hen Rescue Centre in Norwich, Norfolk</span><span style="font-size: 10px; text-align: left;"><br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1254021/Knit-cluck-Somerset-craft-club-keeps-bald-rescue-hens-warm-knitting-woolly-jumpers.html#ixzz3O3L2c4RH" style="color: #003399; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; min-height: 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1254021/Knit-cluck-Somerset-craft-club-keeps-bald-rescue-hens-warm-knitting-woolly-jumpers.html#ixzz3O3L2c4RH</a></span></td></tr>
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Often when they are rescued the chickens have no feathers and need a sweater to keep them warm at night. The Little Hen Rescue Centre in Norwich has a pattern on their site on how to make these and the address to send them to:</div>
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<a href="http://www.hencam.co.uk/hencam_forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=414" target="_blank">KNITTING PATTERNS FOR JUMPERS FOR HENS LITTLE HEN RESCUE CENTRE.</a></div>
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Press Release from BHWT</h2>
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"Charity description:</div>
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The British Hen Welfare Trust is a small, national charity that re-homes commercial laying hens, educates the public about how they can make a difference to hen welfare, and encourages support for the British egg industry. Its ultimate aim is to see consumers and food manufacturers buying only UK produced free-range eggs, resulting in a strong British egg industry where all commercial laying hens enjoy a good quality life.</div>
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What does the British Hen Welfare Trust do?</div>
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The charity re-homes commercial laying hens destined for slaughter and re-homes them predominantly as family pets. This pioneering initiative is hugely popular with the public and tens of thousands of hens are given the chance to enjoy a free range retirement each year.</div>
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The British Hen Welfare Trust uses a positive campaign strategy designed to educate the public and make them aware of their capability to make a difference to hen welfare through their shopping basket.</div>
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Facts & Figures</h3>
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The statistics below show the growth in popularity of the British Hen Welfare Trust’s re-homing initiative.</div>
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Oct - Dec 2003</div>
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425 Hens Homed </div>
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2004</div>
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5,100 Hens Home</div>
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2005</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
11,457</div>
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2006</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
16,060</div>
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2007</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
29,272</div>
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2008</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
61,236</div>
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2009</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
61,957</div>
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2010</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
58,269</div>
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2011</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
68,005</div>
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2012</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
48,279</div>
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2013</div>
</td><td style="border: 0px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; text-align: justify; width: 135.84375px;">
38,968</div>
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There are still approximately 16 million colony caged hens in the UK. As a result of our pioneering work increasing numbers of consumers now want high welfare as well as high quality. Our positive impact has seen free range production grow into one of the most successful sectors of British agriculture and nearly half of all British laying hens have access outdoors.</div>
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The barren battery cage was banned in January 2012.</div>
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The British Hen Welfare Trust’s ultimate aim is to see all commercial laying hens enjoy a good quality free range life, but the charity is staunch in its support for the UK egg industry and as long as there is demand for caged eggs would rather see enriched caged egg production in the UK rather than imported caged eggs from countries where welfare is beyond our control.</div>
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Nearly 60% of caged eggs end up ‘hidden’ in processed food products, such as cakes, pasta, confectionery and ready meals. Caged eggs are also frequently ‘hidden’ in meals served at restaurants and other eating establishments.</div>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-4877367053720564762015-01-04T07:47:00.000-08:002015-01-04T07:47:19.803-08:00Muscovy Ducks on Bingley Canal<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Surprise Muscovy Visitors Along the Canal</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVzPeJqVnFTKlOwr2VEmXgPFSWFy1qWXNzWx26FLIbdSOOIJ0L9PYE-ud83pOzmYxbXxrH9e95H_0l-qvBD3q-DwcPJekKBiVs8lk1QD1pnzI8aJ79zCJnax7glMgdc6_-rd4XF4Kgb4/s1600/4864379_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Ducks" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVzPeJqVnFTKlOwr2VEmXgPFSWFy1qWXNzWx26FLIbdSOOIJ0L9PYE-ud83pOzmYxbXxrH9e95H_0l-qvBD3q-DwcPJekKBiVs8lk1QD1pnzI8aJ79zCJnax7glMgdc6_-rd4XF4Kgb4/s1600/4864379_f260.jpg" title="Female Muscovy Ducks" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Muscovy Ducks</td></tr>
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This photo journal features two charismatic Muscovy ducks. One could be forgiven for thinking one had been transported to Mexico yesterday when these two ducks were spotted on Bingley canal in West Yorkshire, England. They are Muscovy ducks, not native to England, but popular with poultry keepers. In this case the adventurous pair had escaped for an afternoon swim from the allotments which back onto the canal. If you are unfamiliar with allotments, these are small plots of land owned by local government councils in the UK and rented out for gardening and as smallholdings. When I pointed out the escapees to the owner he shrugged and said, "they'll be back when they're hungry!"</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ6wKBTWqlA8ImtBAth4xrVqpMsO2NJNMcDsfYvQdUw3xz_iWgxUOZmrsdFoopes6GZWSfQoOJX1XKpYfqTUYVdY490Tj6cPm50a9yu2T4mz0MV_-q4-SJSCYsX7A6DK85wwG_QzYuJQ/s1600/4864344_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ6wKBTWqlA8ImtBAth4xrVqpMsO2NJNMcDsfYvQdUw3xz_iWgxUOZmrsdFoopes6GZWSfQoOJX1XKpYfqTUYVdY490Tj6cPm50a9yu2T4mz0MV_-q4-SJSCYsX7A6DK85wwG_QzYuJQ/s1600/4864344_f520.jpg" height="256" title="Female Muscovy Duck" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Muscovy Duck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0qbNtdSngKMwhULyHbA4vU_52Og4BY0YqiPuQL3PP_rD7hNzcFLiV8WYu7ZaFGiGYUz4n8Z_7VCefsrCkN-z5cmntU-FR4qobWPiuv8WxFwayDcHkchuliNJLcMFbH185WqTvYcS5ok/s1600/4864358_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0qbNtdSngKMwhULyHbA4vU_52Og4BY0YqiPuQL3PP_rD7hNzcFLiV8WYu7ZaFGiGYUz4n8Z_7VCefsrCkN-z5cmntU-FR4qobWPiuv8WxFwayDcHkchuliNJLcMFbH185WqTvYcS5ok/s1600/4864358_f520.jpg" height="256" title="Female Muscovy Duck" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Muscovy Duck</td></tr>
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Muscovy Ducks, Cairina moschata, the Clown with Feathers</h2>
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These large ducks are very popular both as pets and for food production. These are the only ducks not descendent from mallard ducks. Indeed, it is thought mallards and muscovies are themselves the anscestors of all domesticated ducks.</div>
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Like mallards, they come in a variety of colours. Most are white or white with dark back and tails. All of them have distinctive red or pink flashing from the knob on the beak and surrounding the pale blue eye like a mask. One of our visitor is pure white and he came right up to me, perhaps not surprising as muscovies are renowned beggers. The other has a white head and the most beautiful plumage with irredescent blues, greens and lavendar.</div>
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They are very popular with kids and are no trouble.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnBY8EaqycSFD8LktG33zKEE85w889kom-TX41XhDjCveQib37PigZQE0q1wjqCl4qDH1FpJi_m6EmA8IBWYSxqxCR5CyfYRZ7jXwyq-TngTOBj8CJ1d01oVcZRkj0Y4ZmnZsNHthMuM/s1600/4864346_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnBY8EaqycSFD8LktG33zKEE85w889kom-TX41XhDjCveQib37PigZQE0q1wjqCl4qDH1FpJi_m6EmA8IBWYSxqxCR5CyfYRZ7jXwyq-TngTOBj8CJ1d01oVcZRkj0Y4ZmnZsNHthMuM/s1600/4864346_f520.jpg" height="256" title="Female Muscovy Duck" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spreading her wings - Female Muscovy Duck</td></tr>
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20 Muscovy Ducks Facts</h2>
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Did you know?</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Wild muscovy ducks were all dark in colour.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies are the only ducks NOT descended from mallard ducks.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies are children- and people-friendly.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">They will beg for food.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies have a sense of humour - dog bating is one of their favourite pass-times.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">In the wild they often roost in trees at night.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies eat anything left lying around, good to keep down rodent.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Unfortunately been known to eat young mice.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Make great gardeners for weed control.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Unfortunatly don't know the difference between your vegetables and weeds.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies can produce up to 3 clutches of eggs every year.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">They lay 8-10 eggs. Known to desire to repopulate the world with muscovy ducklings.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies have a large 'nail' on the end of their beak.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies now come in assorted colours.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovies tend to be promiscuous and males don't know how to take no for an answer.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">They can become anaemic - you can tell when their red mask becomes paler.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">They will eat dog food if allowed. This is not encouraged as it makes for slightly hysterical dogs.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">They will respond to being talked to. They will wag their tail. Especially if it involves food.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Muscovy ducks crossed with domestic ducks produce mulard ducks - 'mule ducks'.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Mucovies are reknown for being 'head' of any escapee committee.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr7NRPscjNLmyyw6K02cEAQEpz0ww63xYxi0zmUZ9ykx_ZlMa54wuMCBJAseYzdMvmeVyLuJPTtKoeoGYX9xqExlChXjJcV1j1MnBavEXpNCYTLymGQlVJo_Oq_t91Lrr2Qc1qGu4qMk/s1600/4864356_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr7NRPscjNLmyyw6K02cEAQEpz0ww63xYxi0zmUZ9ykx_ZlMa54wuMCBJAseYzdMvmeVyLuJPTtKoeoGYX9xqExlChXjJcV1j1MnBavEXpNCYTLymGQlVJo_Oq_t91Lrr2Qc1qGu4qMk/s1600/4864356_f260.jpg" title="Female Muscovy Duck" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Muscovy Duck</td></tr>
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Keeping muscovies as pets</h2>
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Muscovy ducks make great pets. Yes I know many people rear them for their meat but I'm a committed vegetarian so that is out.</div>
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These ducks are full of character and a joy to keep.</div>
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Their eggs are good, creamy and full of protein but they are not prolific layers so you can't depend on regular laying, think of them more as a bonus. They might lay around 100 over the whole year.</div>
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They will forage on grass quite happily but you do need to feed them a good chicken feed. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink as well as a pond for bathing. They need to keep their feather in tip top condition and they can't do that without a pond. They don't need a huge pond.</div>
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If you want to <a href="http://hedgecombers.com/2010/11/24/muscovy-duck/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">breed them</a>, you will find they lay about 10-15 eggs for each brood and if they are in captivity and protected from predators all of those will survive.</div>
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If you do want to breed them, think about keeping <a href="http://www.motherhenspoultry.com/ourmuscovyducks.htm" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">one male to 3-5 females</a> but you will need to separate them into breeding clutches during the season - more than one drake in a group is likely to lead to bloodshed.</div>
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They do like to roost in trees - that's what they have those long claws for - but will take to a hutch if necessary. They like to be up a bit and well concealed. Don't be surprised though if they pick out their own nesting spots and ignore yours completely.</div>
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They are great brooding ducks looking about the clutch and the chicks devotedly.<a href="http://milkwood.net/2014/01/14/muscovy-ducks-a-great-homesteading-breed/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Several females might brood the clutch.</a></div>
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They are nice quiet ducks and are great for keeping down <a href="http://www.muscovyduckcentral.com/marvelousmuscovies.html" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">insects and pests</a>. They actively <a href="http://milkwood.net/2014/01/14/muscovy-ducks-a-great-homesteading-breed/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">hunt down flies</a> - so are great pest controllers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ6wKBTWqlA8ImtBAth4xrVqpMsO2NJNMcDsfYvQdUw3xz_iWgxUOZmrsdFoopes6GZWSfQoOJX1XKpYfqTUYVdY490Tj6cPm50a9yu2T4mz0MV_-q4-SJSCYsX7A6DK85wwG_QzYuJQ/s1600/4864344_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ6wKBTWqlA8ImtBAth4xrVqpMsO2NJNMcDsfYvQdUw3xz_iWgxUOZmrsdFoopes6GZWSfQoOJX1XKpYfqTUYVdY490Tj6cPm50a9yu2T4mz0MV_-q4-SJSCYsX7A6DK85wwG_QzYuJQ/s1600/4864344_f520.jpg" height="320" title="Female Muscovy Duck" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Female Muscovy Duck</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ale4zck1wZzfAizIayKVLuCAWQjieShCUFyiA6tdo073260X2J-3mvkCxtsFjDAioSKRfN8Ii7sgrv2Bz83Y3mjHIapYsV4oWAZJq8yZhNBV45KASD14C3x4BWqKXw6edi8U4tiICII/s1600/4864345_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ale4zck1wZzfAizIayKVLuCAWQjieShCUFyiA6tdo073260X2J-3mvkCxtsFjDAioSKRfN8Ii7sgrv2Bz83Y3mjHIapYsV4oWAZJq8yZhNBV45KASD14C3x4BWqKXw6edi8U4tiICII/s1600/4864345_f260.jpg" height="320" title="Female Muscovy Duck" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Female Muscovy Duck</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi939Cb9i2pwJ6Tv23qEdJRZHHGi7xCksCuDVX9q4EUEbLPapC9VHrBGtuJ8ofyDhbgSUdH0X1QUi5t5qlG8uBa1GPNBA9s-11ht6a_RaYA0a52SPuwMxpcIeeP61hEqa_qLyYqw3ifLxU/s1600/4864360_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female Muscovy Duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi939Cb9i2pwJ6Tv23qEdJRZHHGi7xCksCuDVX9q4EUEbLPapC9VHrBGtuJ8ofyDhbgSUdH0X1QUi5t5qlG8uBa1GPNBA9s-11ht6a_RaYA0a52SPuwMxpcIeeP61hEqa_qLyYqw3ifLxU/s1600/4864360_f260.jpg" height="320" title="Female Muscovy Duck" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Female Muscovy Duck</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Information about Muscovy Ducks</span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"> from a reader Doug Baja<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"> </span></span></h2>
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Both adult females. Black and white one shows dominant white head gene, probably one codominant white gene, and the sides show the recessive barred she's losing as an adult...she would have hatched yellow with a black tail. Pale female looks to have multiple dilution genes stuffed into her. Lilac = 2 blue genes (silver) plus chocolate is a good bet.</div>
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Wild muscovy ducks are all black with white wing patches after the 18 month molt. They are slimmer and lighter than the domestics which have been selected for meat production. They have less caruncling and more black pigment such that the remaining red bits tend to look like rosettes around the perimeter.</div>
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Read R. A. Donkin's book for some fascinating muscovy history.</div>
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Muscovy ducks are the only DOMESTIC ducks not descended from mallards...its important to distinguish wild from domestic from domestic feral...many people do not understand that a domestic form is not just a wild bird kept by people...it has been selected for certain traits e.g. domestic muscovies have been selected for larger size (for meat) and less pigment (to better judge the carcass in the marketplace). Muscovy beak tip (bean) and claws (esp. inner) are MUCH bigger than even a big domestic mallard like a Rouen. I don't think they get anemic - the caruncles get paler during non-breeding season and also if a female has been on eggs a long time so perhaps a link to sun exposure. Domestic muscovies are not very well-linked to photoperiod and can lay eggs any time of year. Most females with a few years on them will lay more in the 12-18 eggs/nesting attempt and the average egg size will increase as they get older. They are regarded somewhat as pests in Florida as they do very well in artificial ponds/canals etc but this is only in close proximity to people. They quickly get eaten in the wild. It seems certain that Columbus actually brought back domesticated muscovies from Caribbean Indians on his first voyage (he called them geese but there is no good candidate except the muscovy). Whether or not they survived by 1555 or so they were recorded in France where they became a popular sort of special feast bird. Their multiple names show how confused people were as to where they came from. The genus name is a reference to Cairo, Egypt, "muscovy" could be a reference to Moscow or to the Muscovy Trading Company. The other New World bird the Turkey was called that because it was thought to come from Asia somewhere just like the Guinea Pig was thought to come from Africa when it comes from Peru...now get this, in Brazil the Turkey is called a Peru! Short for Gallinho do Peru or Peruvian chicken since they thought it came from there. So you can order Peru in a restaurant in Brazil just like you can order Turkey in a restaurant in the USA!</div>
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Lastly but most importantly, muscovies rule mallards drool!</h2>
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<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/notecard_young_muscovy_ducks_greeting_cards-137368439630390586?rf=238347968831363861"> <img alt="Notecard: Young Muscovy Ducks Greeting Cards" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/notecard_young_muscovy_ducks_greeting_cards-r6a83c593361c4f979ce6485669f58ca1_xvuak_8byvr_325.jpg" style="border: 0;" /> </a> <br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/notecard_young_muscovy_ducks_greeting_cards-137368439630390586?rf=238347968831363861">Notecard: Young Muscovy Ducks Greeting Cards</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/annmackiemiller*">annmackiemiller</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/custom/greetingcards">Create a greeting card</a> online </div>
AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-65722099396716279682015-01-02T02:46:00.000-08:002015-01-02T02:46:07.369-08:00Bird Behaviour: Goose Mating Behaviour<h2>
Goose Mating Rituals
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRfdbt0_9k8WYYixuKbca6kl6T2y34iI7PLOyw6R3VGqL2PB-OzaaE0mI70DEgkGIOu99H7s0rrLQhlYT3kYrXcmuvjy8Z55eQLalJ7iqKOn0CXxYg2F5RH89V30DDiraaUsBSuualQY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="embden geese mating" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRfdbt0_9k8WYYixuKbca6kl6T2y34iI7PLOyw6R3VGqL2PB-OzaaE0mI70DEgkGIOu99H7s0rrLQhlYT3kYrXcmuvjy8Z55eQLalJ7iqKOn0CXxYg2F5RH89V30DDiraaUsBSuualQY/s320/2.jpg" title="embden geese mating" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Embden goose mating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Birdwatching is not an exact science. Sometimes you need to go back and review what you have seen and reassess bird behaviour in light of more recent observations. Such is the case here. At the start of the mating season I reported seeing what I assumed was two male geese mating one after the other with the same female. Since then it has become obvious that the second 'mating' was a ritual act by the dominant female in a threesome, to do exactly that, to establish her dominance over the second female. It has been established that goosy threesomes are, in fact, very common. In this instance there is one male with an alpha female and a beta female. This is their story.<br />
<div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
The geese featured in this photo journal are domestic geese gone wild. They live on a greenfield site called Greenhill where they have become naturalised. The birds are tame enough to be fed (if you don't get too close) and wild enough to be able to observe bird behaviour at close quarters.<br />
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<h3>
Geese mating in March</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtvCMU39wT8j00pxBXIQT8kuB45qr0YAR4vHdcFwoQ68BEbXpX1UpjMMzxqdwjBM4ArEdDTdDqKJtcLOvKkAv8TkRYuZ0pmKt6U2qyxXBucBp7XQjt95Qy7gc3vuetFArt_aY-ZlGQJ0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtvCMU39wT8j00pxBXIQT8kuB45qr0YAR4vHdcFwoQ68BEbXpX1UpjMMzxqdwjBM4ArEdDTdDqKJtcLOvKkAv8TkRYuZ0pmKt6U2qyxXBucBp7XQjt95Qy7gc3vuetFArt_aY-ZlGQJ0/s1600/3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Alpha female goose exerts her dominance over beta female. <br />Male Embden goose watching.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmRNx-nexoaSjPJCr_bj8YXayf-CWvSpGFLqAYMCr-SQ6l_t1ge6LV1ULnVM9yixN7lj0Em63MJcEMw-ZvQN5Tahra4i0Mf0A89Uy7evFbXLXrb2DIXkUhSyK6_vpxYOrhfOg7hd-_BM/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="embden geese mating" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmRNx-nexoaSjPJCr_bj8YXayf-CWvSpGFLqAYMCr-SQ6l_t1ge6LV1ULnVM9yixN7lj0Em63MJcEMw-ZvQN5Tahra4i0Mf0A89Uy7evFbXLXrb2DIXkUhSyK6_vpxYOrhfOg7hd-_BM/s1600/4.jpg" title="embden geese mating" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China Goose as alpha female 'mounts'<br />
beta goose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In March, a goosy threesome was observed mating. One was a big white Embden goose who mated with a smaller white Embden goose while a Chinese goose stayed alongside.
With what happened next I assumed the China goose was male. After the male had mated with the small white goose, the China goose mounted her. I assumed then it was male but not so. In fact, the China goose is female and is the dominant or senior female in this threesome. In this mock mating ritual what she was doing, encouraged by her big male, was exerting her dominance, her position as alpha female.
I suppose I should have guessed given there was no showy 'crowing' after this apparent mating. Males always proclaim their conquest - very loudly!<br />
<br />
<h3>
Goosy threesomes</h3>
<br />
In the natural world threesomes are not uncommon. Many species have one male mating with more than one female to perpetuate the species. Obviously when more eggs are laid the chances of more surviving are raised. In this case, the threesome had 20 goslings between them.
Poultry keepers usually recommend you keep two females for each male.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDh5SpGL1x7oLwjiwWpE_aoZ1gmyFv0zh4SCeP2xqHSddUMP72CnP-A5pb8vVyhJx-2LWHWaAwnzuau_vadZ994guFq_R9GXhfcynDw-PYqk2LpFzngbb3J6cv280n8hFfQl0UbbZ-1w/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="China Goose, Embden goose and chicks" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDh5SpGL1x7oLwjiwWpE_aoZ1gmyFv0zh4SCeP2xqHSddUMP72CnP-A5pb8vVyhJx-2LWHWaAwnzuau_vadZ994guFq_R9GXhfcynDw-PYqk2LpFzngbb3J6cv280n8hFfQl0UbbZ-1w/s1600/7.jpg" height="266" title="China goose and goslings" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China Goose as alpha females broods as many as she can</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
After the Hatch</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kZaCyjxax25A5-LyAv4Sr-kMrFSrAMvXbtVhNuTUld03robdd4TULeUbFZ5Bm-sNY-H7sG2g9waAHd2osq36rQC5kNnonWiIoq4fa4qTAgpgFnbeq8zKNt6h8XdXNrk7yRPTRg-7xCY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="geese and goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kZaCyjxax25A5-LyAv4Sr-kMrFSrAMvXbtVhNuTUld03robdd4TULeUbFZ5Bm-sNY-H7sG2g9waAHd2osq36rQC5kNnonWiIoq4fa4qTAgpgFnbeq8zKNt6h8XdXNrk7yRPTRg-7xCY/s1600/5.jpg" height="212" title="geese with chicks" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">geese with chicks<br />
male keeping guard as the females brood the goslings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now that all the goslings have hatched, the China goose continues to be the dominant female. She appears to take the lead in teaching the goslings new things and in decision making - that is, she is the one who makes the first move to and from the canal. Also, most of the goslings go to her for brooding and quite often the little white female is seen off to one side. At times though, the beta female is allowed a few of the goslings under her wing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDePMrkwyEGuKY4jWQrjbH-U1izIA975WJ4ZLJkxsNS5xR7T0YdKnn7RoZuCniStdC1QflznAeOsNMGMWqC6y-Dh1sP9VTMGq6RRCrJjMBamP9qPeZVTAgdMI9GfbZQQrTFp6wtquzi0/s1600/5050806_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="China goose, Embden geese, goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDePMrkwyEGuKY4jWQrjbH-U1izIA975WJ4ZLJkxsNS5xR7T0YdKnn7RoZuCniStdC1QflznAeOsNMGMWqC6y-Dh1sP9VTMGq6RRCrJjMBamP9qPeZVTAgdMI9GfbZQQrTFp6wtquzi0/s1600/5050806_f260.jpg" height="212" title="geese and goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geese brooding goslings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13tjLpgfLyKTsr5YinKt70C45-4IRJRWWevEONNMN4min9ZJRpdpgt6kLzt1ID-50jJurQ3sR2lMQmkuKfJPHjzTKXDd1EwnPSf28UIOAZJObRyo1M7fRFBLnYRa9-UzxN4RR3GP_oP4/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="China goose, Embden geese, goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13tjLpgfLyKTsr5YinKt70C45-4IRJRWWevEONNMN4min9ZJRpdpgt6kLzt1ID-50jJurQ3sR2lMQmkuKfJPHjzTKXDd1EwnPSf28UIOAZJObRyo1M7fRFBLnYRa9-UzxN4RR3GP_oP4/s1600/6.jpg" height="212" title="China goose, Embden geese, goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole brood on the canal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<h3>
A Word About the Photos
All the geese and gosling pictures here are by AnnMackieMiller and are copyright to the photographer dated 2011. They may not be reproduced or copied without permission.
However, links to this site are encouraged.
High resolution copies of all bird pictures are available for sale. Contact Ann for details.</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-68504145161564243342015-01-01T05:34:00.000-08:002015-01-01T05:34:19.532-08:00Pictures of Little Goslings<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
baby geese</h2>
<div class="txtd" id="txtd_14015456" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfloSgkOOf3gc304H47rHkel57OupoPlHyoHrEus908XfAaSPqpv4JC2uxBrWinlymy2kjVvsfddb5vdDVecvWe_PXjf7SRLfHi5mQN_loxopleOoEl2dGu13tsdGkheytbqPm-gdpYY/s1600/4930875_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Embden geese and goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfloSgkOOf3gc304H47rHkel57OupoPlHyoHrEus908XfAaSPqpv4JC2uxBrWinlymy2kjVvsfddb5vdDVecvWe_PXjf7SRLfHi5mQN_loxopleOoEl2dGu13tsdGkheytbqPm-gdpYY/s1600/4930875_f260.jpg" title="Embden geese and goslings" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embden Geese Goslings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
This photo journal features some very new goslings. Wildlife photographer AnnMackieMiller lets the baby geese tell their own story in this light-hearted article.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
There is such a lot to learn when you are fresh out of the egg.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
Lesson number one: Stick close to Mum ... or Dad, preferably both!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
Goslings are born able to feed themselves but sometimes it takes a bit of practice. This lot seemed to handle themselves fine, if a little enthusiatically at times.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
Then you have to learn how to get out of trouble, how to get along with your brother and sisters and how to get Mum to let you snuggle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
It's all hard work for a gosling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Learning how to graze</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pfQT1QVd2cmFGuFJ0NhGizy01Z5H0W4_l5zcfTp7KVh3PJOXj5vEyLY87tIYPEeJWfxr7DZKR-Ikji9TeDZQOviSyK8gIgZQSBqzK7woR2-6wP6_xq-RpgLRscoAy1YgiTHOmQMp38M/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="goslings with adult" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pfQT1QVd2cmFGuFJ0NhGizy01Z5H0W4_l5zcfTp7KVh3PJOXj5vEyLY87tIYPEeJWfxr7DZKR-Ikji9TeDZQOviSyK8gIgZQSBqzK7woR2-6wP6_xq-RpgLRscoAy1YgiTHOmQMp38M/s1600/2.jpg" height="266" title="Embden goslings grazing" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">'Opps' Tugged too hard there</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
Clue to perfect grazing:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">Embden Don't tug on the grass too hard or you end up on your bottom.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;">Take a GOOD look. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvKPAptWXB7WCd9ELyHRu-eQZ4jzUME14JYildaXPjryR8BqIIUOYQx1b4QRQGWGsNjKZAsb5Y-IHElLXwv2SQI6WOhfXT-aw_hpOlkwnQcX4O4tY39GDgCu0sS8sX_E9ONYS8-b7BZk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Embden gosling grazing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvKPAptWXB7WCd9ELyHRu-eQZ4jzUME14JYildaXPjryR8BqIIUOYQx1b4QRQGWGsNjKZAsb5Y-IHElLXwv2SQI6WOhfXT-aw_hpOlkwnQcX4O4tY39GDgCu0sS8sX_E9ONYS8-b7BZk/s1600/3.jpg" height="213" title="Embden gosling grazing" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Close inspection needed'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Learning to duck and dive</h2>
<div class="txtd" id="txtd_14015498" style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a9sjp7qXza8Ww8sbSBDMm4ja9Bil-yOifcqHDGBce7RV0UF7ixU8t3JHGzzSZARAvV02pZYQ-F-66_TDodvxDJtQEN-YlEM-eKUzHSSQ852kl5axcOeCwEGQrhPkAgLnW8YRKnTlhaI/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Embden goose and goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a9sjp7qXza8Ww8sbSBDMm4ja9Bil-yOifcqHDGBce7RV0UF7ixU8t3JHGzzSZARAvV02pZYQ-F-66_TDodvxDJtQEN-YlEM-eKUzHSSQ852kl5axcOeCwEGQrhPkAgLnW8YRKnTlhaI/s1600/5.jpg" height="213" title="Embden gosling diving for cover" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Trouble? Dive, dive, dive</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
At the first hint of trouble - duck and dive.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
The first day out on the canal and it is a scary place. Goslings and ducklings both learn to dive their way out of trouble where ever they can. Adult geese also use ducking under the water to escape.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
The little one in the picture was spooked by another adult goose.</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq7_qX1Bn4kX8bt8WYZ_yO7nIWeq1RQ980Gbg8O0DwHLahPPv_op7S3IqvXzX4rk6o2O5y9uH0MiECU2E1fY2iY9Sn7BbvORaeYyIRAUb6ORz2jwaCWsHbw2NUmukKwJQLPYvQkUr4oI/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gosling under water" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq7_qX1Bn4kX8bt8WYZ_yO7nIWeq1RQ980Gbg8O0DwHLahPPv_op7S3IqvXzX4rk6o2O5y9uH0MiECU2E1fY2iY9Sn7BbvORaeYyIRAUb6ORz2jwaCWsHbw2NUmukKwJQLPYvQkUr4oI/s1600/6.jpg" height="213" title="Embden goose with goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">"I'm going under..."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I'll just stay behind Mum</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWHizaylzeB874jOvtiM3Ile5YTYg_YaKX5rNA7tYe17fdZKTIqND-ZM0mhi7jtKBBKODK4cki_J_lmaF8ZDT0G9ZZkxN2Tu_hj-6-LYM9jIWtu-tt1WlJ-2XmJQ0_NlV-3H2c_07C-0/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Embden gosling on canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWHizaylzeB874jOvtiM3Ile5YTYg_YaKX5rNA7tYe17fdZKTIqND-ZM0mhi7jtKBBKODK4cki_J_lmaF8ZDT0G9ZZkxN2Tu_hj-6-LYM9jIWtu-tt1WlJ-2XmJQ0_NlV-3H2c_07C-0/s1600/7.jpg" height="213" title="Embden gosling on water" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Learning to spead the love</h2>
<div class="txtd" id="txtd_14015497" style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
We may fight a lot but we still love each other.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
Geese show affection to each other. As adults it tends to be very loud, with goslings, not so much.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vGvxloR_goD9I4uiD6sQxjINGjOtLxpGvJ3AOSM24M-71KvLXnu1wBn3BSvdQapjnEQbnXLj7DlUoI6hoyWoij2mzxfUrxQvGBMLjIsKmLGu6EKpVO7KGvXxCY9NTyNZRTYt6wZvH_Y/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vGvxloR_goD9I4uiD6sQxjINGjOtLxpGvJ3AOSM24M-71KvLXnu1wBn3BSvdQapjnEQbnXLj7DlUoI6hoyWoij2mzxfUrxQvGBMLjIsKmLGu6EKpVO7KGvXxCY9NTyNZRTYt6wZvH_Y/s1600/8.jpg" height="213" title="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">"now now children, no fighting"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWARte8EN_EUTM2wcyZ1D4uyHp4a29h-Te3ct9lsIn2UHP5a4ZoxTZhzxfMkl4E6DI44fenWAi0si0ck9YSgR9X4wfHoKQGXKDsyU4n_VW_i_FHCY7FdjapgxMDQjhRAvAL1YX97wV-4/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWARte8EN_EUTM2wcyZ1D4uyHp4a29h-Te3ct9lsIn2UHP5a4ZoxTZhzxfMkl4E6DI44fenWAi0si0ck9YSgR9X4wfHoKQGXKDsyU4n_VW_i_FHCY7FdjapgxMDQjhRAvAL1YX97wV-4/s1600/9.jpg" height="213" title="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Embden goose with two goslings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSbPjOptjF6N_r6AiVKiOiIT9usHn2VVD9fw_u4ON5qz3Qi2TOLnIiJNfzPP8fpD-2NSg-Twsl3CrmGtbKnsjRVaoz3UPbbe5O8vNuvUW6y8hsS_9O_OEw3esXqgcmRmXlBHFutjGY3E/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSbPjOptjF6N_r6AiVKiOiIT9usHn2VVD9fw_u4ON5qz3Qi2TOLnIiJNfzPP8fpD-2NSg-Twsl3CrmGtbKnsjRVaoz3UPbbe5O8vNuvUW6y8hsS_9O_OEw3esXqgcmRmXlBHFutjGY3E/s1600/10.jpg" height="213" title="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Embden goose with two goslings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_jOTBkG-nfF4hdRku9_wVb0UeZ5ixvKW7oE7n-Iti9EAdG3x1Kyph-PuuUj4bzI8w9Ao0EuQiKv52eiW7mIhmmJPaUORNkZW8XNzrGT6nNstPUshlENaY01Z0xfirtv7UvOmC1esCOM/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_jOTBkG-nfF4hdRku9_wVb0UeZ5ixvKW7oE7n-Iti9EAdG3x1Kyph-PuuUj4bzI8w9Ao0EuQiKv52eiW7mIhmmJPaUORNkZW8XNzrGT6nNstPUshlENaY01Z0xfirtv7UvOmC1esCOM/s1600/11.jpg" height="213" title="Adult Embden goose with two goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">"I luvs ya really."</span></td></tr>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Learning to snuggle</h2>
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Don't be afraid to show what you want. When there is a cold wind blowing and your tummy is full, what better spot than under Mum's wing?</div>
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These day old goslings are looking for some heat under Mum while Dad keeps watch for baddies.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRhYkoxhKHKbhjHxzwV_qb94aKkfSaEaq3t43eScl0mvpuTSSC4JH0xcvCVRjYlOIWoLEODN9xklsyhyphenhyphenZWASrWy6T5OT_QZ49bEmmPj87mTp7E13D3cVwjw9K-XXMnF8hm1ezQoyBLXc/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult Embden geese with chicks" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRhYkoxhKHKbhjHxzwV_qb94aKkfSaEaq3t43eScl0mvpuTSSC4JH0xcvCVRjYlOIWoLEODN9xklsyhyphenhyphenZWASrWy6T5OT_QZ49bEmmPj87mTp7E13D3cVwjw9K-XXMnF8hm1ezQoyBLXc/s1600/12.jpg" height="213" title="brooding Embden geese" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">"Let me in Mum"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0tPmCbRtDIaEkc89JGwIfDswDoauA5YcX7NG0sK3DaVFiDYrxKzLcED-zLyWU1FxMTGZvVkOjR-6YBzDB3CLtMGF31NBRaQN0qGa7A5ZUK_qETCDA4bmS3m2aSXN8LmeQDc2hWjoUys/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden geese with goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0tPmCbRtDIaEkc89JGwIfDswDoauA5YcX7NG0sK3DaVFiDYrxKzLcED-zLyWU1FxMTGZvVkOjR-6YBzDB3CLtMGF31NBRaQN0qGa7A5ZUK_qETCDA4bmS3m2aSXN8LmeQDc2hWjoUys/s1600/13.jpg" height="213" title="Adult Embden geese with goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">"It's cold out here."</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3OTmJbDtXSID0KjF0S9i0eyeX6A5ZdPVOxURh02wMuO1VlzUAFgF4gIFEjBoPb_5DVc9KnxH7rMMYgQlqUwKhCxf5ufXX8uwOkpBfRkFd574FPD5qRCMhJdfxVKY20zj3sYLfCDOQWY/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden geese with goslings brooding" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3OTmJbDtXSID0KjF0S9i0eyeX6A5ZdPVOxURh02wMuO1VlzUAFgF4gIFEjBoPb_5DVc9KnxH7rMMYgQlqUwKhCxf5ufXX8uwOkpBfRkFd574FPD5qRCMhJdfxVKY20zj3sYLfCDOQWY/s1600/14.jpg" height="213" title="Adult Embden geese with goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">"Snuggle time."</span></td></tr>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Information about these geese</h2>
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These are part of a large flock of domestic geese gone wild living on<a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Trying-to-Save-Greenhill-One-Photo-at-a-Time-Original-Wildfowl-Pictures" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Greenhill</a>. Mostly they are white Embden geese but there are also Toulous geese who have more grey feathering. There is also a mix of both with some greylag goose thrown in. One Canada goose was seen mating with a white male but this is unusual and it remains to be seen if there are any goslings as a result.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
The female of this partnership is pure white while the male has grey feathering on his wings. If you look at the goslings, you will notice they have some dark patches among the yellow. These are likely to turn into grey markings when they are fully grown.</div>
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The all-white geese are harder to identify but with observation you can notice differences in beak markings and the hue of their legs, some can be very pale. The females are all considerably smaller than the males.</div>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-61664737240009432222014-12-23T06:41:00.000-08:002014-12-23T06:41:36.354-08:00Moorhens Rebuilding Their Nest<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Bird behaviour: Persistently Optimistic Moorhens</h2>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OLOAOGskfNlCyvi_Fo7zVdqiDVfyjqgDLec53_cusmUmgYq7e-vm0i-664HLIhic2rqcmTnVOsqtuF6EM7qpaHFnhqAbO-czG8sj49bmYJPLs78acyQs_8dyl2_rZftXitwTbj9RYYE/s1600/4991146_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a moorhen's nest with adult moorhen and chick" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OLOAOGskfNlCyvi_Fo7zVdqiDVfyjqgDLec53_cusmUmgYq7e-vm0i-664HLIhic2rqcmTnVOsqtuF6EM7qpaHFnhqAbO-czG8sj49bmYJPLs78acyQs_8dyl2_rZftXitwTbj9RYYE/s1600/4991146_f520.jpg" height="320" title="moorhen with chick on nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calling the chicks home to roost in the evening<br />
Adult moorhen on rebuilt nest with chick</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
It is a privilege to be able to observe at close hand the day to day activities of a pair of <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Bird-Watching-Another-Moorhens-Nest" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">mated moorhens</a>. This pair are on the Leeds to Liverpool canal near<a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Trying-to-Save-Greenhill-One-Photo-at-a-Time-Original-Wildfowl-Pictures" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Micklethwaite</a> wharf, Bingley, West Yorkshire. They have been obliging enough to build a nest out into the canal several feet, braced on an old rotting wood piling and a stone. Despite the fact it is destroyed several times a day by cattle coming down to drink, the pair continue to build and rebuild this nest to brood their seven young chicks. Using original wildlife photography, this is a typical day in the life of a moorhen nest builder. </div>
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Both adult <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Straight-From-the-Egg-The-First-Moorhen-Chicks-on-Bingley-Canal" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">moorhens</a> take responsibility for feeding, protecting and providing a nest for their young. The tasks keep them busy: food has to be collected from all over their territory and hurried back to meet chirping chicks with eager beaks. With seven to care for, the adults quite often (but not always) seem to divide the chicks between them both for feeding and for brooding. On this particular day, a visit in the early evening found the pair with two brooding sites on the go. They had constructed a rough nest with a few twigs on the shore. One adult gathered material and made the nest then brooded five of the chicks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
On the site of the main nest, the other adult was busy pulling back together the displayed straw and twigs. It then started collecting whatever it could find. That included an old bread packet, bigger than the bird itself. It obviously took the bird considerable strength to pull this plastic bag up to the nest, given that it was also waterlogged. Yet it was determined and there was much tugging and pulling to get as much into the nest as possible. They really are the most industrious little birds taking time out from nest building to feed the chicks and chase off jackdaws.</div>
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A final couple of pieces of greenery that had floated down the canal put the finishing touches to the nest and she went back to shore to call the remaining two chicks home for the night.</div>
<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
The busy life of adult moorhens</h2>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjITI_ZJg8oIW-ip9xJKGd3pXI9YASBXZ4Lkn6RcisAZoxWSas4v4RGtnlmwzWLudxkBuOsmZLw4QayFuqY57YgoZUZBqNrDyuInOtPXiKtbaG4Z0A1nHjNCiZNLh8kjied1oEQUqjBmI/s1600/4991093_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjITI_ZJg8oIW-ip9xJKGd3pXI9YASBXZ4Lkn6RcisAZoxWSas4v4RGtnlmwzWLudxkBuOsmZLw4QayFuqY57YgoZUZBqNrDyuInOtPXiKtbaG4Z0A1nHjNCiZNLh8kjied1oEQUqjBmI/s1600/4991093_f260.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult moorhen brooding chicks on land</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU0cMcfAQgS3ZmTT3t3BtRXqK06zJsn2d0Ve3xt9c8tXIyxXPl6LUWxzzI_MUZAL6OEM103n8iu061cm5MFDyLtGTJgY9IW5Pz-ma4QuqSzbEiW3fRj9kxi6xsc9KuHaKF3EjkxoOxIk/s1600/4991102_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU0cMcfAQgS3ZmTT3t3BtRXqK06zJsn2d0Ve3xt9c8tXIyxXPl6LUWxzzI_MUZAL6OEM103n8iu061cm5MFDyLtGTJgY9IW5Pz-ma4QuqSzbEiW3fRj9kxi6xsc9KuHaKF3EjkxoOxIk/s1600/4991102_f520.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult moorhen feeding chick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Both adult moorhens take responsibility for feeding, protecting and providing a nest for their young. The tasks keep them busy: food has to be collected from all over their territory and hurried back to meet chirping chicks with eager beaks. With seven to care for, the adults quite often (but not always) seem to divide the chicks between them both for feeding and for brooding. On this particular day, a visit in the early evening found the pair with two brooding sites on the go. They had constructed a rough nest with a few twigs on the shore. One adult gathered material and made the nest then brooded five of the <a href="http://watching-bingley-birds.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/british-birds-moorhen-if-you-are.html" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">chicks</a>.</div>
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<h3>
Caught Red-Nosed - Cows destroy moorhen nest</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGqtRhEG90GZzHxKOqcqGqr6bYw9UTxGFA7pnwQjVnlBrSe_vjRdX_tp8iTimHhYUR4ahwKV-oGvJt3hD1TiWcWFZu5EMBN6wX7BFcf7Wr_eFFv8O-4nNGT0F4xdjoWClYv__P3Q3am8/s1600/4991115_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGqtRhEG90GZzHxKOqcqGqr6bYw9UTxGFA7pnwQjVnlBrSe_vjRdX_tp8iTimHhYUR4ahwKV-oGvJt3hD1TiWcWFZu5EMBN6wX7BFcf7Wr_eFFv8O-4nNGT0F4xdjoWClYv__P3Q3am8/s1600/4991115_f520.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">The culprits - cows continually destroy the main moorhen nest</span></td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Bird behaviour: 'We have the power to rebuild'</h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">On the site of the main nest, the other adult was busy pulling back together the displayed straw</span><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">and twigs. It then started collecting whatever it could find. That included an old bread packet, bigger t</span><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">han th</span><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">e bird itself. It obviously took the bird considerable strength to pull this plastic bag up to the nest, given that it was also waterlogged. Yet it was determined and there was much tugging and pulling to get as much into the nest as possible. They really are the most industrious little birds taking time out from nest building to feed the chicks and chase off jackdaws.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em; padding: 0px;">
A final couple of pieces of greenery that had floated down the canal put the finishing touches to the nest and she went back to shore to call the remaining two chicks home for the night.<br />
<br />
<h2>
PHOTO GALLERY OF A MOORHEN REBUILDING A NEST</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqKf2ZPmGOYpaNfdGoYQOUm90yG3dxOXQVwks5306Itjrz-eU4TVG_nEQUYaNUjZ2JmG08tEBxbjyVKW4JfVafdXtRASzOc0-FsP1W7v_1m6JKqEaLPSO0S8trI9X8KAc63fVPuETgsE/s1600/4991125_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqKf2ZPmGOYpaNfdGoYQOUm90yG3dxOXQVwks5306Itjrz-eU4TVG_nEQUYaNUjZ2JmG08tEBxbjyVKW4JfVafdXtRASzOc0-FsP1W7v_1m6JKqEaLPSO0S8trI9X8KAc63fVPuETgsE/s1600/4991125_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Adult moorhen rebuilding nest while his mate looks after the chicks</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYfw_vm53aS6yiccuvOs87v7FHhkIaOUhIX1knKjTfoYac9PvAzxRVJh2MoNZ4vdbAsI3FDJ-HfZspZrDub-GDa44PXBdYWhiADyU3JbZQdVSKiaCJZUswF0Yz0ZnEZQwxOCqz_ki2vs/s1600/4991127_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYfw_vm53aS6yiccuvOs87v7FHhkIaOUhIX1knKjTfoYac9PvAzxRVJh2MoNZ4vdbAsI3FDJ-HfZspZrDub-GDa44PXBdYWhiADyU3JbZQdVSKiaCJZUswF0Yz0ZnEZQwxOCqz_ki2vs/s1600/4991127_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"a twig is good!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU88g5cppPtPcPun7H1JszAPU5M4bl3XjvY5oEr05TloEhVvCq33pHfl6fxjpxawikTbPj-D1TRQ51ieietU_LC8Lb4tjAT3LvKW3zdBbkr3M2srpWprvLgoPAqPXfG3q2b_0milWrXI/s1600/4991128_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU88g5cppPtPcPun7H1JszAPU5M4bl3XjvY5oEr05TloEhVvCq33pHfl6fxjpxawikTbPj-D1TRQ51ieietU_LC8Lb4tjAT3LvKW3zdBbkr3M2srpWprvLgoPAqPXfG3q2b_0milWrXI/s1600/4991128_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ah - this soggy bag is better!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnr_vgkfPFvlEGHpFwDYGLo0b_A3K5hyphenhyphenUIcTE0Q6GEbt50Itxi9U9UkCxfvPQyvfS6lBRe_a7Ek7Lvxl2yWm0difCtabVJnZXgQ2Vusw3AIrxC9c64DRCK_tVPAWC1zJ5juVTk8us0S8/s1600/4991132_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnr_vgkfPFvlEGHpFwDYGLo0b_A3K5hyphenhyphenUIcTE0Q6GEbt50Itxi9U9UkCxfvPQyvfS6lBRe_a7Ek7Lvxl2yWm0difCtabVJnZXgQ2Vusw3AIrxC9c64DRCK_tVPAWC1zJ5juVTk8us0S8/s1600/4991132_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It's heavier than I thought!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBzkasb-Bnw9SBITq1-vtZhbJ7qOdbrlB2ZG_dMiX5TCBzc8HBuxc-KYDsiL4S_QkZG6PC7Biwj7Y4qOcUowie1SWJcr739a802sG2dCvgCQMUkeFdZ9fa428hI8NK5fV9fsC5TVdq2w/s1600/4991133_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBzkasb-Bnw9SBITq1-vtZhbJ7qOdbrlB2ZG_dMiX5TCBzc8HBuxc-KYDsiL4S_QkZG6PC7Biwj7Y4qOcUowie1SWJcr739a802sG2dCvgCQMUkeFdZ9fa428hI8NK5fV9fsC5TVdq2w/s1600/4991133_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Just a little bit of paper more"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8nGoWkjKOcDdRc_p-HG7TglgSpRcAntftWuHfaDQU4hOMSDwor3pZsayExwj9O-0odFMxDqJz-rdphHUnRnh7exYd8yrrUUFCC9pjnsN-M4Va_CSYaLwrD-NDSaCbNDrwpiljKP3Xuc/s1600/4991135_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8nGoWkjKOcDdRc_p-HG7TglgSpRcAntftWuHfaDQU4hOMSDwor3pZsayExwj9O-0odFMxDqJz-rdphHUnRnh7exYd8yrrUUFCC9pjnsN-M4Va_CSYaLwrD-NDSaCbNDrwpiljKP3Xuc/s1600/4991135_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"nope, that soggy bag still isn't right."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DmgMUiKyDR2-r-MibOh0oNZGnxlBrfCg3OM1M7JCbJG055I296M85-PhR1D7a2ibHyIR9XyBDlFVC-9m7PP3W5BQkQ3znPoPw1dtDCTWxJHRhhTY-E0qVKgjc4W354MzYb5wRG9wJrE/s1600/4991136_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DmgMUiKyDR2-r-MibOh0oNZGnxlBrfCg3OM1M7JCbJG055I296M85-PhR1D7a2ibHyIR9XyBDlFVC-9m7PP3W5BQkQ3znPoPw1dtDCTWxJHRhhTY-E0qVKgjc4W354MzYb5wRG9wJrE/s1600/4991136_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I;ve got it!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePCIaX_ep_GnaXsG_kXoDCPFhE1y3YlKvCrKXKegF5PdD79W_b7pmYLtwGez34ej28BTj6JHy2dP9oJozWkegs3rKhL3Ci09fPW5nt7TSoeOPwhhWtlMKOPPf4V5xbUjRynZ-FaZLkPI/s1600/4991141_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePCIaX_ep_GnaXsG_kXoDCPFhE1y3YlKvCrKXKegF5PdD79W_b7pmYLtwGez34ej28BTj6JHy2dP9oJozWkegs3rKhL3Ci09fPW5nt7TSoeOPwhhWtlMKOPPf4V5xbUjRynZ-FaZLkPI/s1600/4991141_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Just a litte more!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBa9TtqnjTep_RESKWfyCbABLROQVlc7CAWhaPJKoaW7nS0P2JNqqA1u4Iok_-2UJlCRwNxBhpEW5TPvKQafEG70_PU58l3Y58HKR_xwY7Xc3MpHHX0y7DFZIG7fMJGVDAisPSPYnoxM/s1600/4991142_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBa9TtqnjTep_RESKWfyCbABLROQVlc7CAWhaPJKoaW7nS0P2JNqqA1u4Iok_-2UJlCRwNxBhpEW5TPvKQafEG70_PU58l3Y58HKR_xwY7Xc3MpHHX0y7DFZIG7fMJGVDAisPSPYnoxM/s1600/4991142_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A little tweak there, a little tweak here."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o1LxFXZA7D8agP3SX6jk8EF_Dfuk_G1CVLNO00iyKbMQCkMY4P3ZmrL3WEoUGJPSyLjpHWdxshsrxxg-VF3AWHeuzg3ntB5chLdEvaYxFDTHdjMAkqa7R1ccaXt9mf5NrjP_trdTx1M/s1600/4991143_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o1LxFXZA7D8agP3SX6jk8EF_Dfuk_G1CVLNO00iyKbMQCkMY4P3ZmrL3WEoUGJPSyLjpHWdxshsrxxg-VF3AWHeuzg3ntB5chLdEvaYxFDTHdjMAkqa7R1ccaXt9mf5NrjP_trdTx1M/s1600/4991143_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female brings in "A nice bit of greenery!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzurXV1XgarP5Ab7TYOYdSLBHKlYRw0hfrL6JHXeAOMxzO6f3uw_8xmTRpDjIdrYo_YBrNyiJhn-7I1SE5qrzVEjYReWXxtOlibyA33JQeD_9XTUy2rH2M_RVPRH5vsAQFmzC4ubgUuHg/s1600/4991145_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult moorhen building a nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzurXV1XgarP5Ab7TYOYdSLBHKlYRw0hfrL6JHXeAOMxzO6f3uw_8xmTRpDjIdrYo_YBrNyiJhn-7I1SE5qrzVEjYReWXxtOlibyA33JQeD_9XTUy2rH2M_RVPRH5vsAQFmzC4ubgUuHg/s1600/4991145_f520.jpg" height="320" title="adult moorhen building a nest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finishing touches</td></tr>
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Now! she can call the little yuns home for the night!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OLOAOGskfNlCyvi_Fo7zVdqiDVfyjqgDLec53_cusmUmgYq7e-vm0i-664HLIhic2rqcmTnVOsqtuF6EM7qpaHFnhqAbO-czG8sj49bmYJPLs78acyQs_8dyl2_rZftXitwTbj9RYYE/s1600/4991146_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="adutl moorhen with chicks on the nest" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OLOAOGskfNlCyvi_Fo7zVdqiDVfyjqgDLec53_cusmUmgYq7e-vm0i-664HLIhic2rqcmTnVOsqtuF6EM7qpaHFnhqAbO-czG8sj49bmYJPLs78acyQs_8dyl2_rZftXitwTbj9RYYE/s1600/4991146_f520.jpg" height="400" title="adult moorhen with chicks on the nest" width="400" /></a></div>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-55128085554153325942014-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:002016-01-17T06:48:53.965-08:00Birdwatching at Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Pictures of Birds at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo-9KTcDydHb4NtChNK2vyt3KS2dcqj7YwukojpR414affVz0aK66yliWxFbBR9Hwz06UvgTWhtguHyQZbXAWaebV__6dxyofRaWXCHtB673XR0-JoFFpPRtQtgVmY5HWZArD-_Q2Oc0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo-9KTcDydHb4NtChNK2vyt3KS2dcqj7YwukojpR414affVz0aK66yliWxFbBR9Hwz06UvgTWhtguHyQZbXAWaebV__6dxyofRaWXCHtB673XR0-JoFFpPRtQtgVmY5HWZArD-_Q2Oc0/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6bLCG93shYIvpdAUwTzMpU0RsG45mcwN4n9sQhUmWl44n6AtBTGpi5pt1-Z6jp3P737fUC_fd8ynvQCjv6pXTxSaFdtPLpC57ZNTpVcZfg_M8zEzjJY0IC4cY7LjJSZFw0iNfrvkZVs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6bLCG93shYIvpdAUwTzMpU0RsG45mcwN4n9sQhUmWl44n6AtBTGpi5pt1-Z6jp3P737fUC_fd8ynvQCjv6pXTxSaFdtPLpC57ZNTpVcZfg_M8zEzjJY0IC4cY7LjJSZFw0iNfrvkZVs/s1600/1.jpg" title="RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the gannet colonies at Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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<h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS NATURE RESERVE YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW - SIGN THE PETITION TO STOP FRACKING AT BEMPTON CLIFFS</h3>
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- AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. </h3>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.38px; line-height: 20.7px;">http://action.sumofus.org/a/SSSI-fracking/2/4/</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">I am republishing this as a protest against the decision to allow fracking in this area - PLEASE HELP </span></span></h3>
<h2 style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7px;">
<span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: large;">BIRDWATCHING AT BEMPTON CLIFFS</span></span></h2>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7px;">You smell them before you see or hear them: the smell, that of guano (bird droppings) from the thousands of birds who nest and breed on Bemptom Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast. This is a bird watcher's, a bird photographer's paradise. This bird reserve is maintained by The Royal Society for Preservation of Birds (RSPB). Here there are over three miles of towering chalk cliffs where 200,000 plus seabirds come to breed every year.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">At the height of the season, busy puffins fly in and out of rock crevices with food for the pufflings hidden deep in the cliffs. </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Birdwatching-UK-The-Kittiwake-Gull-RSPB-Bempton-Cliffs" style="color: #551a8b; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Kittiwakes</a><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"> soar and chitter while feeding their chicks who are balanced on tiny ledge nests. Fulmars provide spectacular aerial shows as they ride the thermals near the cliffs and the huge gannet colony display diving and fishing skills.</span></div>
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Bempton is the ideal spot to watch and photograph seabirds up close. This is an excellent opportunity to chart bird behaviour as they display close to you. One can watch for hours the various displays and habits common to razorbills, guillimots, rock pigeons, herring gulls et al.</div>
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The cliff formations themselves are well worth a visit and the effect of erosion by wind and weather on the soft chalk faces has created spectacular nooks and crannies, arches, windows and tiny ledges that provide tentative holds for tiny bird-feet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPP0JsSGtgxvFujWrjecF1sIWeQwk9skfow2WPiG__8jjO7EklfrQQA7N5lBDwx7H1VlDt2cTtmVWX3iYHWbjzfuRcn0-YbieJtUGpZKVBt0HJXkoXvzN4s7orkwhD5ESN7dymF1mSPM/s1600/gannets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPP0JsSGtgxvFujWrjecF1sIWeQwk9skfow2WPiG__8jjO7EklfrQQA7N5lBDwx7H1VlDt2cTtmVWX3iYHWbjzfuRcn0-YbieJtUGpZKVBt0HJXkoXvzN4s7orkwhD5ESN7dymF1mSPM/s320/gannets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhCkK98nihPALTtccE5dK1d28WwJtPMUqIe03p7z5FM988aV-BX4x4h3zU8O1B_OyaS-SzXWeaIA7huQxsnQzsi-z1XVjvA0Asr_WufSFVUhEqYJmDnBHxC-S8x_oN2hgQNKjgyJ-bpk/s1600/5237922_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhCkK98nihPALTtccE5dK1d28WwJtPMUqIe03p7z5FM988aV-BX4x4h3zU8O1B_OyaS-SzXWeaIA7huQxsnQzsi-z1XVjvA0Asr_WufSFVUhEqYJmDnBHxC-S8x_oN2hgQNKjgyJ-bpk/s1600/5237922_f520.jpg" title="RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living on the edge</td></tr>
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Specially constructed viewing platforms spaced along the top of the cliffs, provide positions to watch the birds. This is birdwatching made easy with experienced RSPB staff and volunteers on hand with telescopes to point out the various birds. There is a well stocked RSPB shop where you can see live camera action of the<a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/British-Birds-Unique-Gannet-Pictures-Meeting-and-Greeting-Gannet-Style" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">gannet </a>colony. Toilet facilities are adequate and there is wheelchair access to all the viewing platforms. Drinks and light snacks are available from the RSPB plus an enterprising vegetarian cook has a mobile cafe for light meals in the car park. You can even meet <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Jackdaw-Pictures-Meet-Jack-Daw-the-Car-Park-Attendant" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Jack Daw </a>- the feathered car park attendant who scavenges for food - just to keep the place tidy you understand!</div>
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The original bird pictures here show just why it is not only the birds that flock here... children and adults alike find this a remarkable place to visit.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KP7V-JHQgc9EwPqye44tN6t3YdOZ_WuqO0CPembO6_nMHRB86ILSppjSu5t4aptyOIQKdXvVRWOflRUqG2Jn3-1Ke8kvqNMvnrxcDYhhqya_NTau4ul6GFOf44CcfqN356x-ZWCKU-0/s1600/gannets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gannets nesting at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KP7V-JHQgc9EwPqye44tN6t3YdOZ_WuqO0CPembO6_nMHRB86ILSppjSu5t4aptyOIQKdXvVRWOflRUqG2Jn3-1Ke8kvqNMvnrxcDYhhqya_NTau4ul6GFOf44CcfqN356x-ZWCKU-0/s1600/gannets.jpg" title="gannets at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gannets nesting at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire</td></tr>
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The Gannet Colony</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi8tfRiSa20zNcb_NEHw4yf0t1N3OWGpIlW88bgGCGEKZMG5O9-r3k2RvqMvPPSBwxvemHVDlj3S2fpsZCY1d0vHyIXsEDisy_k1cqB5NuHspojV4MIiBatz10INDuezOLO1IwIqHHaU/s1600/5237980_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gannets at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi8tfRiSa20zNcb_NEHw4yf0t1N3OWGpIlW88bgGCGEKZMG5O9-r3k2RvqMvPPSBwxvemHVDlj3S2fpsZCY1d0vHyIXsEDisy_k1cqB5NuHspojV4MIiBatz10INDuezOLO1IwIqHHaU/s1600/5237980_f520.jpg" title="gannets at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gannet colony at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cS9WHZ4GteIkmY-0K8KYqkSrjfrseV33GKzD_utCdNxDs7QA_9xPlyfaruHz7zmkopl02xtdzhkXzBj-CGzY9kPv5h6LnEPTEkjip2mzQKd_cdE1NKwf5L0HifuFFGWAsQdi-3Mo6og/s1600/5242002_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="gannets at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cS9WHZ4GteIkmY-0K8KYqkSrjfrseV33GKzD_utCdNxDs7QA_9xPlyfaruHz7zmkopl02xtdzhkXzBj-CGzY9kPv5h6LnEPTEkjip2mzQKd_cdE1NKwf5L0HifuFFGWAsQdi-3Mo6og/s1600/5242002_f520.jpg" title="gannets at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult gannets greeting each other, chick under them</td></tr>
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Probably the largest colony of birds here at Bempton during the breeding season are the gannets. These elegant birds with their bright blue eyes, yellow necks and long beaks return year after year to the same spot to mate and breed. Most mate for life, coming back to the same spot and the same mate as the year before. They will have only one <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Birdwatching-UK-Gannet-Chicks-Pictures" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">chick</a> and both adults take responsibility for caring it. This includes renewing nesting material and feeding as well as protection. Food the adult has ingested, is regurgitated, beak to little beak.</div>
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Space is limited and the best spots are jealously guarded. The birds gather closely together as protection against predators but it is sometimes hard to see how the growing chicks manage to stay on the cliff. Now, in July, the chicks are almost full grown, taking up lots of space. The are still bundles of down with little evidence of feathers as yet but their wings are beginning to develop.</div>
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Typically the <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/British-Birds-Unique-Gannet-Pictures-Meeting-and-Greeting-Gannet-Style" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">adults greet </a>each other when they return to the nest. This involves endearing rubbing of beaks and necks that can be seen in these original photos.</div>
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Why seabirds cling to the cliffs</h2>
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Their perches and nests are precarious to say the least: the birds build shallow nests on the narrowest of ledges on what is a sheer cliff face, some 300 feet high. Why? Mainly for protection. No land predators can reach them to rob the nest of eggs or chicks and only a few winged ones can. Some falcons have to been known to visit but the main air-borne predator is the great black-backed gull.</div>
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Kittiwake Information</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0QyrdB_1skjb2o6XXPi4T9rEsH9yyB_oAk80wuRF7zV4bSRGCo3Ihb6-SEGDbwk8k83FEp06VOPmyKdit21VeTUxjZSD20RkMeIRxTWKiNc5vZV6M4r0gBU_-1oYfjw0nNHF2j0qOO8/s1600/5238014_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="kittiwake adult with chick" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0QyrdB_1skjb2o6XXPi4T9rEsH9yyB_oAk80wuRF7zV4bSRGCo3Ihb6-SEGDbwk8k83FEp06VOPmyKdit21VeTUxjZSD20RkMeIRxTWKiNc5vZV6M4r0gBU_-1oYfjw0nNHF2j0qOO8/s1600/5238014_f520.jpg" title="kittiwakes at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kittiwakes, Adult Kittiwake with Chick</td></tr>
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<a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Birdwatching-UK-The-Kittiwake-Gull-RSPB-Bempton-Cliffs" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Kittiwakes</a> form the second largest colony on Bempton. They are small gulls whose distinctive call, <em>kiti-a-wake</em>, gives it the name. They are very pretty birds with white head and neck, dark eyes and a bright yellow beak. They tend to lay 2 or 3 eggs in a shallow nest on narrow ledges high on the cliffs. The <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/kittiwake_chick_magnet-147731274607687616" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">chicks</a> have more black markings than the adults including a black collar that gradually turns grey then disappears as it approaches full breeding adulthood.</div>
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And the rest... you'll find lots of other birds there including the cute little puffin and the razonbill</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4i2K5Ca01dtqs6DiHyYp-yBzs_ROOql6tHRJL_vzWxOlbGMJhmb4_81ZcUYdD3AfaVpfrwVV0lrRUmOpd-HlDn6xTC-Wjpn9qoK3K6elO7FbUX9lJClMRxQ8XAqJ7PHQp_imVGm7qb8/s1600/5238021_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="adult razorbills" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4i2K5Ca01dtqs6DiHyYp-yBzs_ROOql6tHRJL_vzWxOlbGMJhmb4_81ZcUYdD3AfaVpfrwVV0lrRUmOpd-HlDn6xTC-Wjpn9qoK3K6elO7FbUX9lJClMRxQ8XAqJ7PHQp_imVGm7qb8/s1600/5238021_f520.jpg" title="adult razorbills" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">razorbills</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E0pspzMtL1EkerZLM7XzfEWzN0ShujuYZLXSsbLX8LYcHglNhmiv0oL-vINf8QoxubIdsSXp2C4xOnHhLQ8_c54aSoQEdwlvoTe8vRvtM4EuZ4OEohHwLdb8nfQkPaxj4oqaR5Oh3l0/s1600/5238022_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="billing adult razorbills" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E0pspzMtL1EkerZLM7XzfEWzN0ShujuYZLXSsbLX8LYcHglNhmiv0oL-vINf8QoxubIdsSXp2C4xOnHhLQ8_c54aSoQEdwlvoTe8vRvtM4EuZ4OEohHwLdb8nfQkPaxj4oqaR5Oh3l0/s1600/5238022_f520.jpg" title="adult razorbills greeting" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult razorbills in greeting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIcVz0XURut_tXPr7hPKupm0VAru91NS2TuvP4rTzyNqAFYs0VMrWo72sxtw02rXCpj63grrzapqy0Pj5ne-gai29KixAzELVKQLN_18JrBRWolrmDP6wjAZAezBJ45pMP5Z6OsaiLzA/s1600/5238024_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="puffins RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIcVz0XURut_tXPr7hPKupm0VAru91NS2TuvP4rTzyNqAFYs0VMrWo72sxtw02rXCpj63grrzapqy0Pj5ne-gai29KixAzELVKQLN_18JrBRWolrmDP6wjAZAezBJ45pMP5Z6OsaiLzA/s1600/5238024_f520.jpg" title="puffins RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7YEMKplfENFGkeT7t8rIYZqWEz7XNn72dgmxPq3qX_CgPLZt4zM6IgjJBKUxKaSLEJ8njNu__ujmGFeWBCUe0T0C8cmiEWufZv0mDgDiUUHknN4UKd8lTf5hVWbPUPpQ_vpceNP4Bb4/s1600/5238027_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="puffin" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7YEMKplfENFGkeT7t8rIYZqWEz7XNn72dgmxPq3qX_CgPLZt4zM6IgjJBKUxKaSLEJ8njNu__ujmGFeWBCUe0T0C8cmiEWufZv0mDgDiUUHknN4UKd8lTf5hVWbPUPpQ_vpceNP4Bb4/s1600/5238027_f520.jpg" title="puffin at RSPB Bempton Cliffs Yorkshire" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin - The Clown of the Sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7hu5LJLn6e_fHyrUSpsp7d9jQmWJ5RuJrvPqrKXFO-NoHdD2pd8Ntr8HgvW3RSdFRODLVcdO_fIBnBy0R9KJnhDaTkQYkzEXJfVM0AwdZPfWk7usu7YqpIx_PLaC6tKOgLYrULDxGTQ/s1600/5238029_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="puffin" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7hu5LJLn6e_fHyrUSpsp7d9jQmWJ5RuJrvPqrKXFO-NoHdD2pd8Ntr8HgvW3RSdFRODLVcdO_fIBnBy0R9KJnhDaTkQYkzEXJfVM0AwdZPfWk7usu7YqpIx_PLaC6tKOgLYrULDxGTQ/s1600/5238029_f520.jpg" title="puffin" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin</td></tr>
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<h3 style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS NATURE RESERVE YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW - SIGN THE PETITION TO STOP FRACKING AT BEMPTON CLIFFS</h3>
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- AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. </h3>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.38px; line-height: 20.7px;">http://action.sumofus.org/a/SSSI-fracking/2/4/</span></span></h3>
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<br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.7px;">I am republishing this as a protest against the decision to allow fracking in this area - PLEASE HELP </span></span></h3>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-75094440451134466802014-12-20T07:26:00.000-08:002014-12-20T07:26:02.579-08:00The Story of Ailsa the Aylesbury Duck<h2 class="subtitle" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Meet Ailsa the Aylesbury Duck and the family album</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRFysqbMUNND-wrmdBGwh3ncbSzIkLj1MRvOCb3pjDtnLz6fQz9sA63AgPtBNS3TINOHuDeIsJmpXZOYUVlWm-JVn7QkzRzn5elANbg0OtasVFCvlL6hgp_wO_qCWIraPhQSklbBP3rs/s1600/8072427_f520+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRFysqbMUNND-wrmdBGwh3ncbSzIkLj1MRvOCb3pjDtnLz6fQz9sA63AgPtBNS3TINOHuDeIsJmpXZOYUVlWm-JVn7QkzRzn5elANbg0OtasVFCvlL6hgp_wO_qCWIraPhQSklbBP3rs/s1600/8072427_f520+2013.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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The other day I introduced you to some domestic ducks gone wild down on the canal. This photo journal is of one Aylesbury duck I call Ailsa distinguishable by her deformed beak. Here she is to tell her own story.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Yoohooo - I'm Ailsa - I'm a duck! Now I know what you are thinking, you think ducks don't talk but you're wrong - it's just we choose not to - well not until we have something to say. Anyway, I'm not your average duck. For one thing I have a frilly beak, not too common you know. My brother's tease me, say they can see my teeth but I just say, "at least <em>have </em>teeth!"</div>
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Anyway, I was born in June down by the canal and I have two brothers and a sister. We are a mixed race family you know. My Mum is a <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Bird-Watching-Pictures-of-Swedish-Ducks" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Blue Swedish duck</a>, she's a pretty blue/black duck with a cute white bib. When the sun shine she shimmers. You can see her picture over there -->. My Dad is a big white Aylesbury Duck, he's all white. He and his brother are TweedleDum and TweedleDee and they have been living here for a while. Anyway, Mum says we are a mixed bunch - you see there is me with the frilly beak, Mum says not to worry 'bout it. Then there is Splodge, he's, well splodgy. He's a Blue Swedish Duck too but he's not like Mum, he's white with sort of splashes of blue and green and stuff. Then there is Marly, she is a giant mallard, well not really, she's something French but I keep forgetting what, but she looks like one of these wee mallard ducks that live around here, just bigger - much bigger. Mum's says them French folk bred them fer the table but when I asked her what that was she told me to hush up. Then there is Whitey, he's a white Aylesbury Duck like Dad and me but he doesn't have any frills on his beak.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_68h2YUJ-IkF29Of4ZRpB3SWAAxVShTAkqC6A-EBAceKNvzP04VamNJCZsmJlMFdUZvrSCXmOhSBDxhE3orHdm8dDinCD4EMrrMhIvEfRQy8jzHmSmVztDoN4qUi1CfWWZvs3hMTp_Ys/s1600/5754747_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_68h2YUJ-IkF29Of4ZRpB3SWAAxVShTAkqC6A-EBAceKNvzP04VamNJCZsmJlMFdUZvrSCXmOhSBDxhE3orHdm8dDinCD4EMrrMhIvEfRQy8jzHmSmVztDoN4qUi1CfWWZvs3hMTp_Ys/s1600/5754747_f260.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">'Mum, Dad and the little uns' <br />Blue Swedish Duck, Aylesbury Duck and two ducklings</span></td></tr>
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When we got big, about six weeks old or so, Mum disappeared and when she came back she had two little ducklings with her, she said they're our brothers too, but they are awfully little and they don't play with us. That's them down there with our Mum and Dad.</div>
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We all live on a canal, oh I said that already. We live beside the big boats. There a yard and a shed where they fix boats and a big trampolene thingy little hu-muns play on. We're not supposed to be there but we can get underneath it which is nice when the sun is too hot. There's some chicken live there too and they're always nicking our seeds. Mind you they say it is their seed. They can't swim the silly things, I think they are jealous. One day the big one, Little Un, got out onto the boat next door but she still couldn't swim.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DahYtVEw0NJ4gDt9fVby2YDHDmBuB8AjQdicm9qtL2eDDmRJfljTwjHtODX3QvJjIc9iB5smGD-yktmQpGVTP_ClG6cVbaUBdBHIXikmtQINvfweExoPLw_lFDjh38w7IO0XdbtwRiY/s1600/5754776_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DahYtVEw0NJ4gDt9fVby2YDHDmBuB8AjQdicm9qtL2eDDmRJfljTwjHtODX3QvJjIc9iB5smGD-yktmQpGVTP_ClG6cVbaUBdBHIXikmtQINvfweExoPLw_lFDjh38w7IO0XdbtwRiY/s1600/5754776_f260.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">'Me and my mate, Juvey Moorhen' <br />Aylesbury duck and juvenile moorhen.</span></td></tr>
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Sometimes we all go down the canal a bit to the <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Trying-to-Save-Greenhill-One-Photo-at-a-Time-Original-Wildfowl-Pictures" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">big green field</a>. The grass there is really tasty and there's lots of other birds to play with. My favourite is the <a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Diary-of-a-Moorhens-Nest-Rebuilding" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Micklethwaite Moorhens</a>. Mr and Mrs Moorhen have seven, count em, seven youngsters. That's one of them,Juvey Moorhen, in the picture with me. They have great big feet and they can run real fast - a lot faster than me anyway. I've even seen Mr Moorhen climb a fence, that was way cool.</div>
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We're wild ducks but we're real clever like. We've trained hu-mans and hu-womans to bring us food. They think it is all their idea but really we got them fooled. I like the soft white stuff best, the hu-muns call it bread. I don't like it when it has green bits on it. That's mould Mum says and if we eat it we could get sick. She says we should tell the hu-mums about that cos they don't know any better.</div>
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Well, it's time I was snuggling up fer the night. I know we fight a lot, but there is nothing like snuggling up with your brothers and sisters when it's time for bed. I hope you liked seeing my family album. Nighty, night, don't let the bugs bite.</div>
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yours faithfully,</div>
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<em>Ailsa</em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NRCMijWxrClVVsocEfXulpagcIDqIYPYJpvpVgwULL7FmEgVtQh-p6oFLMdQ4zpCZaPQ19-uSAzRwZwdIY5WeXbYmtS9xUhq4Mu3QNmlUwnc2dUCOVCW1p0DHlrwJNoY1GR2RGhLYlY/s1600/5754587_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Aylebury duck with deformed beak" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NRCMijWxrClVVsocEfXulpagcIDqIYPYJpvpVgwULL7FmEgVtQh-p6oFLMdQ4zpCZaPQ19-uSAzRwZwdIY5WeXbYmtS9xUhq4Mu3QNmlUwnc2dUCOVCW1p0DHlrwJNoY1GR2RGhLYlY/s1600/5754587_f260.jpg" height="320" title="Aylebury duck with deformed beak" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aylebury duck with deformed beak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBpTasc3kWnCGVYWUP18hhk8KZCJgvQeMNyait6Z9tPD2s-7kD4oVQV0TgyqUlbgkmiOA8t7i9jtbvRyqlxj7pbARgHAFexC2LWznH9_aLpb9VBy7hUSVEmTG7mTSxjAgqbrTbh_PIw/s1600/5754627_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBpTasc3kWnCGVYWUP18hhk8KZCJgvQeMNyait6Z9tPD2s-7kD4oVQV0TgyqUlbgkmiOA8t7i9jtbvRyqlxj7pbARgHAFexC2LWznH9_aLpb9VBy7hUSVEmTG7mTSxjAgqbrTbh_PIw/s1600/5754627_f260.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aylebury duck with deformed beak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw7u0EhCoWXhrc0tnBdLZRVL3qR_Ihyphenhyphenc1_zWMAwIX4gYKCnG7JDs-_7feYRIO736DRd1AHMtOt86_b2UzVTi0Hd5M3HRSWgbbeQmK94FXjudNmgvRsyQtOPy-tjkSg4Tw_1c_cWmSwQ4/s1600/5754689_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="blue Swedish duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw7u0EhCoWXhrc0tnBdLZRVL3qR_Ihyphenhyphenc1_zWMAwIX4gYKCnG7JDs-_7feYRIO736DRd1AHMtOt86_b2UzVTi0Hd5M3HRSWgbbeQmK94FXjudNmgvRsyQtOPy-tjkSg4Tw_1c_cWmSwQ4/s1600/5754689_f260.jpg" height="320" title="blue Swedish duck" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">'Mum' a Blue Swedish Duck</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbEFu_4T-Jay-lOjGVCPucDOuOlpLq9hSq2u1ifhektscttnABV_HfZAznbr_8zZ6QVYjwkIupT4ctYetOj1McTn_7bkGST5lN_IAVW_L4TKVDDJEO7z11Qlc4SoEfWbskUT6HtBnly8/s1600/5754716_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="rouen duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbEFu_4T-Jay-lOjGVCPucDOuOlpLq9hSq2u1ifhektscttnABV_HfZAznbr_8zZ6QVYjwkIupT4ctYetOj1McTn_7bkGST5lN_IAVW_L4TKVDDJEO7z11Qlc4SoEfWbskUT6HtBnly8/s1600/5754716_f260.jpg" height="320" title="rouen duck" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">'Marley' the Rouen Duck</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqpSh7mXC2RHFyv6tI7b-kihWRafdWGipLVN9nEIGDJ3xnng9Yu19X4EBRA2-TZ9ADvljRrRSTb_JhTwl-CgHaTJifZHXU475MIWEm5xkCkmp7h_8BFwNXv61LaWu8mvR9bicIR74_zY/s1600/5754719_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="blue Swedish duck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqpSh7mXC2RHFyv6tI7b-kihWRafdWGipLVN9nEIGDJ3xnng9Yu19X4EBRA2-TZ9ADvljRrRSTb_JhTwl-CgHaTJifZHXU475MIWEm5xkCkmp7h_8BFwNXv61LaWu8mvR9bicIR74_zY/s1600/5754719_f260.jpg" height="320" title="blue Swedish duck" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">'Splodge' the Blue Swedish Duck</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDomgRD-ywo_Mi44I_tuS12oQJ-so9HrwzcOd8JBn7_xQD0eETPmVPX52iMZiNIqgtEdfu4gzn5-EYWHGc2BDVe0C02RVxYUWgEy45v5h4SAthzUfXMFwpGtYJha1h5Q2xpc2IN5pkxY/s1600/5754729_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDomgRD-ywo_Mi44I_tuS12oQJ-so9HrwzcOd8JBn7_xQD0eETPmVPX52iMZiNIqgtEdfu4gzn5-EYWHGc2BDVe0C02RVxYUWgEy45v5h4SAthzUfXMFwpGtYJha1h5Q2xpc2IN5pkxY/s1600/5754729_f260.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Ducks 'Me and my brothers and siste</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bqesv9o6fX5ONN6n_SbEU4XWjQBowRlQ07tkxKFlE8Mrf5MD4jD5NAhBlr4F4o77fC1BZuLNUexx8uMyIh-5m5cNtA8x7Jdsml03elj2ypmEFrZa6qYwEXAV9rbMmXO2ucI5vRMQ4E0/s1600/8072428_f520+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Aylebury duck with deformed beak" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bqesv9o6fX5ONN6n_SbEU4XWjQBowRlQ07tkxKFlE8Mrf5MD4jD5NAhBlr4F4o77fC1BZuLNUexx8uMyIh-5m5cNtA8x7Jdsml03elj2ypmEFrZa6qYwEXAV9rbMmXO2ucI5vRMQ4E0/s1600/8072428_f520+2013.jpg" height="320" title="Aylebury duck with deformed beak" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ailsa Aylebury duck with deformed beak</td></tr>
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A word about the pictures</h2>
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All the images used on this page are by the author of the story - AnnMackieMiller and are copyright to the photographer dated 2011. They may not be copied or reproduced. Higher resolution copies can be bought for use on blogs and website.</div>
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The photographs were taken with a Nikon D90</div>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-34541187078025738952014-12-19T04:53:00.000-08:002014-12-19T05:14:33.332-08:00Goslings on Bingley Canal<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
Pictures of Geese: Greenhill Goslings</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-38g5bGI5bX60MjkWoj2qX72nPmMbS3pIjjIcg1SbSkvS4F5I6OqUE_qcHcmqKShkTMfQp4A8gna3TCNwjsupt-SRGobqIkTH0Z2i8v-Ha3nj5Xqkj4-vdA3-vsROyH0UHBbl1GGeIo/s1600/4930868_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="goose and goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-38g5bGI5bX60MjkWoj2qX72nPmMbS3pIjjIcg1SbSkvS4F5I6OqUE_qcHcmqKShkTMfQp4A8gna3TCNwjsupt-SRGobqIkTH0Z2i8v-Ha3nj5Xqkj4-vdA3-vsROyH0UHBbl1GGeIo/s1600/4930868_f520.jpg" height="213" title="goose and goslings" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embden Goose with Goslings</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">This photo journal documents the appearance of the first goslings born along Bingley canal in 2011. These original pictures are particularly endearing and are coupled with information on geese you may not know.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">Five tiny balls of fluff on legs have appeared on </span><a href="http://annmackiemiller.hubpages.com/hub/Trying-to-Save-Greenhill-One-Photo-at-a-Time-Original-Wildfowl-Pictures" style="color: #551a8b; line-height: 20.7000007629395px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Greenhill</a><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">, Bingley. Surprisingly not from any of the nests that have been under observation, so this one must have been well hidden.</span><br />
This photo journal documents the first appearance of the first goslings born along Bingley canal in 2011. These original pictures are particularly endearing and are coupled with information on geese you may not know.
Five tiny balls of fluff on legs have appeared on Greenhill, Bingley. Surprisingly not from any of the nests that have been under observation, so this one must have been well hidden.
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It may seem the wrong time of year to be sharing pictures of baby birds but I have method in my madness. First of all I am moving content away from Hubpages and probably more importantly I am rasing money to feed the Greenhill Geese over the winter - something I do every year. They do get fed a lot by visitors with bread but bread actually has no nutritional value for birds an<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">d they cannot digest it properly so I buy grain so for then. It's expensive! So if you can help even with £1 or $1 and if you enjoy my pictures go to my FundRazr page --></span><a href="https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/8ujR3/ab/61I2u0" style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;" target="_blank"> Feed Greenhill Geese</a><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokOOjCjYIVO10d786l0_KEmKLa1iwOp_c3sbx0FyKn33Cj9lg4HNvoMd-PURktniJREgfMdQ6uW_fyCv4WTwy4MEYiZU00Z-ZLBNucvjkTtDKU5t-Pufl0GpoZkeW_47V23NQsVAF7nY/s1600/4930893_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden Geese with Goslings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokOOjCjYIVO10d786l0_KEmKLa1iwOp_c3sbx0FyKn33Cj9lg4HNvoMd-PURktniJREgfMdQ6uW_fyCv4WTwy4MEYiZU00Z-ZLBNucvjkTtDKU5t-Pufl0GpoZkeW_47V23NQsVAF7nY/s1600/4930893_f260.jpg" title="Adult Embden Geese with Goslings" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Embden Geese with Goslings</td></tr>
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It is interesting to note that while only the female sits on the <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Bird-Behaviour-How-Geese-Nest-in-the-Wild-in-Words-and-Pictures" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">nest</a>, and often the male is nowhere to be seen, now the goslings are here, both parents are diligent in their protection. Indeed, it has been noted that the males seem to know when the eggs are about to hatch. The adults do not feed the young, they are born able to feed themselves. They are, however, responsible for their safety.</div>
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Unlike mallard ducklings that tend to busily flit around quite far from their mother, the goslings stay very close to the parents, often right in between them. On land, where they graze most, the male is usually standing guard while the female sits and the goslings graze. Then while the male feeds the female will stand guard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yzTJwX95Km2CxS2_GOcspBpv3wjeHqSTbk009AOD_53yDKaDH5_1ASLnS9aw-QCuln0w3zJeE7K4KAU9J5sVMwRF8AyASlBkIuhiLhsRlTFFFiVkGqEL814jl0Md6FhV91w1PQH97T0/s1600/4930870_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yzTJwX95Km2CxS2_GOcspBpv3wjeHqSTbk009AOD_53yDKaDH5_1ASLnS9aw-QCuln0w3zJeE7K4KAU9J5sVMwRF8AyASlBkIuhiLhsRlTFFFiVkGqEL814jl0Md6FhV91w1PQH97T0/s1600/4930870_f520.jpg" height="213" title="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal</td></tr>
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These baby birds are only one or at the most two days old. Once they hatch they are immediately led to water in our case the canal . </div>
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Copyright notice</i></h2>
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<i>All the images used here are taken by AnnMackieMiller, copyright 2011.</i></div>
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<i>The wildlife photographs are displayed here as low resolution - that means they look blurred when blown up - to discourage theft. However, high resolution electronic copies are available for sale for use on websites and blogs - NOT for use on products - that is retained for the author's own use.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyODGFkEFL0OOn_uNZVTGwkLgtIx7WjT8btnppTDUsg7UWR810rakn9pTCD54u3q9CBuUfHS3hourfPglkoyVBkSIEzaFmDUWFaiAE9WLzat2Lg_hwEUpDKcP5uX8HfNOevTm7ZoPZA7E/s1600/4930874_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Embden Geese Goslings on Bingley Canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyODGFkEFL0OOn_uNZVTGwkLgtIx7WjT8btnppTDUsg7UWR810rakn9pTCD54u3q9CBuUfHS3hourfPglkoyVBkSIEzaFmDUWFaiAE9WLzat2Lg_hwEUpDKcP5uX8HfNOevTm7ZoPZA7E/s1600/4930874_f260.jpg" height="266" title="Embden Goslings on Bingley Canal" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goslings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embden Geese Goslings on Bingley Canal</td></tr>
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<i>If you are interested in any of these or any other bird images, please feel free to contact me.</i></div>
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PHOTO GALLERY EMBDEN GEESE WITH DAY OLD GOSLINGS</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Bv7-MvRMmR3KYescYlIhrGVaabeATzej3NMNbbhCAaF14ml35Xiwh6OAiQat6w1WU0qqFzOSbAZpta-b1p8mxKZqEcdqTdSt5EmD0zsIv8TWOijV-ZgoydkP4IvdQY9Yua-l3ZppHk/s1600/4930871_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59Bv7-MvRMmR3KYescYlIhrGVaabeATzej3NMNbbhCAaF14ml35Xiwh6OAiQat6w1WU0qqFzOSbAZpta-b1p8mxKZqEcdqTdSt5EmD0zsIv8TWOijV-ZgoydkP4IvdQY9Yua-l3ZppHk/s1600/4930871_f520.jpg" height="266" title="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is always at least one adult on watch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1le4CwM_EbmY3lEuinJ4QfUzNNNXe5NYWfCze37iKm8gwpudu5SvIS0y88W5MQjrLAh_shLH8-6dW08jP3MM9nU_gQqaOyig4_Ks38Du40U_5sXNdxnSxo2p359mjNUHjc6OD2dC1Co/s1600/4930884_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1le4CwM_EbmY3lEuinJ4QfUzNNNXe5NYWfCze37iKm8gwpudu5SvIS0y88W5MQjrLAh_shLH8-6dW08jP3MM9nU_gQqaOyig4_Ks38Du40U_5sXNdxnSxo2p359mjNUHjc6OD2dC1Co/s1600/4930884_f520.jpg" height="266" title="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping watch as moorhen looks on</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ufoan6rLtIEsEXE6WkZVk-3A3fItZMO2SX5dqVRc3i2SeMZNWPkzq2AVXooHKCAwCVNWtSabMmmXNqrTw4O6iVcFZf-Elbbpm0EIn9V4cvJnA41gLWwls3BaWaC1u6r0KHgeigGtDOc/s1600/4930895_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ufoan6rLtIEsEXE6WkZVk-3A3fItZMO2SX5dqVRc3i2SeMZNWPkzq2AVXooHKCAwCVNWtSabMmmXNqrTw4O6iVcFZf-Elbbpm0EIn9V4cvJnA41gLWwls3BaWaC1u6r0KHgeigGtDOc/s1600/4930895_f520.jpg" height="266" title="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick nips gets one moving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWMJEzBg_RZcto-Dbyx4sLv0nLWxEDQPcAQMh8_F3bFBQyAGLcw3w8bDPuS5Luu6N-6g7BQ96sI9AZj3Il6wbeJNADX37Z6JeyMpxRHu8uHBZIWo-5GFR6xMWn5cBIUoBO78_dAxWJwk/s1600/4930897_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWMJEzBg_RZcto-Dbyx4sLv0nLWxEDQPcAQMh8_F3bFBQyAGLcw3w8bDPuS5Luu6N-6g7BQ96sI9AZj3Il6wbeJNADX37Z6JeyMpxRHu8uHBZIWo-5GFR6xMWn5cBIUoBO78_dAxWJwk/s1600/4930897_f520.jpg" height="266" title="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One, Two, Three, Four ... there's one missing ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGaDeY5HX2NYd39iRhMKo9vey6OgPPrV29EjkTH4IUzmf4UepfCog2dfTdjXLqiLw9ALxo7ZUhLylY0WPRJR-QuopYfCy888p8QpNuoBnurg-2gjED2jS2HeJG9FJ9w6DwFbBKVMoaqU/s1600/4930898_f520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGaDeY5HX2NYd39iRhMKo9vey6OgPPrV29EjkTH4IUzmf4UepfCog2dfTdjXLqiLw9ALxo7ZUhLylY0WPRJR-QuopYfCy888p8QpNuoBnurg-2gjED2jS2HeJG9FJ9w6DwFbBKVMoaqU/s1600/4930898_f520.jpg" height="266" title="Adult Embden Geese and Goslings on Bingley Canal" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'll clear the way love,"<br />
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Saving Greenhill</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOe_yUh8bA9vaiiLNZZYj0Al7h_g7PB8JcN1VCHtFT_BHGzY7GtOdfL26MJZ7PzG-rwZAvg0uoNN7nKYgOXQS6_0FmcsIDOYJyucmhAvrBFguRuMmHsdqSGD5kqhtvJ3UiIYiwXAjdY4/s1600/4930981_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greenhilll Micklethwaite Wharf" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOe_yUh8bA9vaiiLNZZYj0Al7h_g7PB8JcN1VCHtFT_BHGzY7GtOdfL26MJZ7PzG-rwZAvg0uoNN7nKYgOXQS6_0FmcsIDOYJyucmhAvrBFguRuMmHsdqSGD5kqhtvJ3UiIYiwXAjdY4/s1600/4930981_f260.jpg" height="320" title="Greenhilll Micklethwaite Wharf" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenhill Site</td></tr>
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Greenhill is a 40 acre green field site at Micklethwaite Wharf, on the Leeds to Liverpool canal, near Bingley in West Yorkshire. It is home to a resident flock of about 70 white/grey geese who have gone wild and bred here. In addition there are dozens of mallard ducks, Swedish geese, whie domestic ducks, moorhens, swans, Canada geese and visiting greylag geese. The ancient hedgerows are important navigation for rare continental bats that roost in the area. With easy visual access to this site from the tow path on the other side of the canal, it is a favourite of every generation who come to watch the antics, to listen to the squabbling geese and to feed them.</div>
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It is where I do most of my goose photography and it is under threat. A private developer want to put 400 houses on the site and Greenhill Action Group are fighting the planning application. As usual the developers have the upper hand and are using all the tricks at their disposal to get planning permission to destroy this peaceful place.</div>
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AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374352457842093821.post-80956115110926177912014-12-18T03:48:00.000-08:002015-02-23T04:16:42.423-08:00Pictures of Mute Swan: How Swans Attack: Pictures of Busking Swan Pictures<h2 class="subtitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px;">
How Swans Attack</h2>
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The Mute Swan: Grace, Elegance, Power & Aggression</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oCbEhq704PSJGAvrQvaaBo-ASPdV9F9ID1XC_A5jwpqucdbUsWERx0PtBevevIlfszfCnCb05lXyFWV5ZJEuYlkS73CZIxk4YVDIIIz1haSgKyAAn5DBVO2_icSSGggkO0xwRL94uDU/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan with raised wings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oCbEhq704PSJGAvrQvaaBo-ASPdV9F9ID1XC_A5jwpqucdbUsWERx0PtBevevIlfszfCnCb05lXyFWV5ZJEuYlkS73CZIxk4YVDIIIz1haSgKyAAn5DBVO2_icSSGggkO0xwRL94uDU/s1600/1.jpg" title="mute swan" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Mute swan in busking pose</span><br />
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Bird pictures by AnnMackieMiller</div>
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This photo journal features unique pictures of a male Mute swan in attack mode which is called busking. The mute swan is a common sight in rivers, canals and lakes throughout Britain. Everyone likes to see a swan in full sail with wings extended. However, how many birders are aware that this is actually a threat pose?</div>
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Called busking, raising the wings issues a threat to intruders on his territory. When the swan draws its neck back and down, he is in full attack pose and anything in his path best get out of the way. Drawing the neck down has two purposes. Firstly it protects the neck and secondly it increases powerful forward momentum. It is only when one sees a swan in full attack, powering through the water after his victim, that you realise how fast and how strong he really is. What looks all grace and elegance is in fact an extremely powerful beast.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">The Mute swan featured in this photo journal is nicknamed</span><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"> </span><a href="http://watching-bingley-birds.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/meet-grumps-male-mute-swan.html" target="_blank">Grumps<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"> </span></a><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">and can be seen on other pages</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNyFEW1t_MCzG70kj4zlfALr6gIlwvGI3iclqF3r6tyWZ5fjDT-zWQeyJXWzxdItHpueZXlHjYC2sGl_Dithv1MYw5BIKkMwOhg3VLx6onF28BoCh6h9JYM0eJsX6dgwP1_h3_X5KoM8/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNyFEW1t_MCzG70kj4zlfALr6gIlwvGI3iclqF3r6tyWZ5fjDT-zWQeyJXWzxdItHpueZXlHjYC2sGl_Dithv1MYw5BIKkMwOhg3VLx6onF28BoCh6h9JYM0eJsX6dgwP1_h3_X5KoM8/s1600/9.jpg" height="320" title="mute swan" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute swan offers a warning<br />
<span style="color: #888888; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Mute swan showing that powerful neck</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
Pictures of Mute Swan in Full Attack Mode</h3>
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You have probably seen swans with their wings raised like sails - it is called busking and is usually a warning to behave yourself. When they go into full attack mode there is no mistaking it. They will raise their neck as a first warning. If that doesn't get results they will go into full attack mode. </div>
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First they raise their wings, then draw the head and neck back into the body. This protects the neck and also increases their power through the water. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQrscqgOlinTS3TFBfM_S19pRCKCBc5hJp2aW1TY8DaJnGmnp4_-eKsW6f5EguAh5V0c0SWufE3eehMeE9Rdla12BIOAD9HOP26cX_b58pLI4s3T4oUKRZDZLHZsR1ny8S487XulFeoU/s1600/2+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQrscqgOlinTS3TFBfM_S19pRCKCBc5hJp2aW1TY8DaJnGmnp4_-eKsW6f5EguAh5V0c0SWufE3eehMeE9Rdla12BIOAD9HOP26cX_b58pLI4s3T4oUKRZDZLHZsR1ny8S487XulFeoU/s1600/2+-+Copy.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.0092601776123px;">Swan with wings raised in threat pose</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PdiJHtU0dzUQG-yj0ZahpkFLxE_F_xaMwUlNL01UTWi6c6AZVZOgrhEf8YZiBlAsRzLGfF39B9Kxg2nMjRQe2wg_wDFyqTufLsbqatDw7BPu_GfcabTJkTDmHGxnJzcauTAMOrfGylM/s1600/3+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PdiJHtU0dzUQG-yj0ZahpkFLxE_F_xaMwUlNL01UTWi6c6AZVZOgrhEf8YZiBlAsRzLGfF39B9Kxg2nMjRQe2wg_wDFyqTufLsbqatDw7BPu_GfcabTJkTDmHGxnJzcauTAMOrfGylM/s1600/3+-+Copy.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He draws his neck back between his wings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxm2dhyphenhyphenFrQ6ejB7UIdgW05h2HDdq97vgakWbJt1dDspPRZkWw-rWZawf00Qy1EOw9RjDrhioQ7Snx3VivRuEv54BCtCpCjTouYoZeOAKewVS1KBygRLGqeFeZr_zSlEkiIouqbnCQ4hA/s1600/5+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxm2dhyphenhyphenFrQ6ejB7UIdgW05h2HDdq97vgakWbJt1dDspPRZkWw-rWZawf00Qy1EOw9RjDrhioQ7Snx3VivRuEv54BCtCpCjTouYoZeOAKewVS1KBygRLGqeFeZr_zSlEkiIouqbnCQ4hA/s1600/5+-+Copy.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing his head back to protect his neck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmuY4voZIgfavxgU41La1nAD3TeRl0IfkiR2DK5Fu4F9mcj7FwcXwTH1P5xWRiVC2WgRWuBnMUUXMvgKlm_bHcOwA2ulZd9zgayOFZpLb1P2YjspGUL9cpNRR7ZAqMVP6Li1AKDuphe8/s1600/7+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmuY4voZIgfavxgU41La1nAD3TeRl0IfkiR2DK5Fu4F9mcj7FwcXwTH1P5xWRiVC2WgRWuBnMUUXMvgKlm_bHcOwA2ulZd9zgayOFZpLb1P2YjspGUL9cpNRR7ZAqMVP6Li1AKDuphe8/s1600/7+-+Copy.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swan in Attack Mode</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWHEKARYAaU7qKZjsz3Q-NJYyRRNwayMJdbt3YO5kvAWr_5L8CmWOuVabbqqhXpntnm_KLml-z2TjmF0vOg08swFpoyIs84GTJG_F6XHOC_5erD6SLLFQefy_sdm3vQ3QN4_XNPgJchY/s1600/8+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWHEKARYAaU7qKZjsz3Q-NJYyRRNwayMJdbt3YO5kvAWr_5L8CmWOuVabbqqhXpntnm_KLml-z2TjmF0vOg08swFpoyIs84GTJG_F6XHOC_5erD6SLLFQefy_sdm3vQ3QN4_XNPgJchY/s1600/8+-+Copy.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head and neck completely retracted: Mute Swan in full attack mode</td></tr>
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This photo journal by wildlife photographer AnnMackieMiller features unique pictures of a male Mute swan in attack modes which are called busking. The mute swan is a common sight in rivers, canals and lakes throughout Britain. Everyone likes to see a swan in full sail with wings extended. However, how many birders are aware that this is actually a threat pose?</div>
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Called busking, raising the wings issues a threat to intruders on his territory. When the swan draws its neck back and down, he is in full attack pose and anything in his path best get out of the way. Drawing the neck down has two purposes. Firstly it protects the neck and secondly it increases powerful forward momentum. It is only when one sees a swan in full attack, powering through the water after his victim, that you realise how fast and how strong he really is. What looks all grace and elegance is in fact an extremely powerful beast.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">The Mute swan featured in this photo journal is nicknamed</span><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"> </span><a href="http://watching-bingley-birds.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/meet-grumps-male-mute-swan.html" target="_blank">Grumps<span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"> </span></a><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;">and can be seen on other pages.</span></div>
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Information about Mute swans</h2>
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Mute swans are classed as wildfowl (waterfowl) and belong to the Anatidae family. The Latin name is Cygnus olor and it isn't in fact mute. It is less vocal than other swans but has several calls including a sort of coughing snort and of course a hiss to warn if you are too close to its cygnets.</div>
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The adults are pure white with black from the eyes to the top of the orange bill. At the top of the beak is a pronounced knob that is larger in the male than the female. It is also larger again during the breeding season. They have huge black paddles for feet and can often be seen resting one on their flank while floating. They stand about 4 foot high when on land although they prefer the water, their weight and bulk making them rather clumsy on their feet. They are around 25-30 lbs in weight and have a huge wingspan of 6 foot. They are one of the heaviest birds in flight and have a distinctive wing noise when aloft.</div>
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Males are called cobs, females are called pens and the young are cygnets. In urban settings it is not uncommon to find mute swans feeding from the hand. our local swan has been known to knock on the window of the barges moored on the canal for breakfast. Their normal food however is vegetation and acquatic plants that they reach at the bottom of canals and rivers with their long necks.<br />
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PHOTO GALLERY OF MUTE SWAN BUSKING</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzDMI7yu3PB3AameTAwLwHzjfG-hybJ4Xjq2fn0JK68tqI3mx8M2WCCkShNEZLC0IPQZsnSHpvlSwIqZoqLJ3-Ogm-LXB4SRjdqpYTvqn-BMzBwMcvLsgVDbJfZwsQohjoIn_1FTpbN4/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzDMI7yu3PB3AameTAwLwHzjfG-hybJ4Xjq2fn0JK68tqI3mx8M2WCCkShNEZLC0IPQZsnSHpvlSwIqZoqLJ3-Ogm-LXB4SRjdqpYTvqn-BMzBwMcvLsgVDbJfZwsQohjoIn_1FTpbN4/s1600/10.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swan powers through the water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDVWFyzbRrzj58JhUK8wxDkiC864e3Gvor37hxwLFij5yV3bKVa4MaMrfOWXk66z3xMUG8TjXo5rjn6PfVc2P5ON6Sj9sLSG1pr7MvcISBqv_aDF0soMkFUVRW4mxEcQzR2VXwsbEoGU/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDVWFyzbRrzj58JhUK8wxDkiC864e3Gvor37hxwLFij5yV3bKVa4MaMrfOWXk66z3xMUG8TjXo5rjn6PfVc2P5ON6Sj9sLSG1pr7MvcISBqv_aDF0soMkFUVRW4mxEcQzR2VXwsbEoGU/s1600/11.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">busking mute swan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06J3MVkPSxTHTD_odV4qp7iCaMTi7duoOT1Dt0_2yhCz3YJgB_edEtcbYQzUSBbQcC1frMJWpU75so4cpGx_rE27WDMmBjv0S66zxrF1ZMhFu0SuqaR7_Vi2OvhXSTo3ESqYzj1GnehA/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06J3MVkPSxTHTD_odV4qp7iCaMTi7duoOT1Dt0_2yhCz3YJgB_edEtcbYQzUSBbQcC1frMJWpU75so4cpGx_rE27WDMmBjv0S66zxrF1ZMhFu0SuqaR7_Vi2OvhXSTo3ESqYzj1GnehA/s1600/12.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mute swan with raised sails</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNgsIcqlwvlpgwNuNKw9r8LnQL6svLaRZdVLJcW5-U08im_ariVFMzgk36yf_kmF1Jh63WEQbv6klMTmabi9hOQDRAUglNEqlM3qHqw-EaVkIK0RcRRgP1pAgP5BPDxTwpwTNGIOJiJM/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNgsIcqlwvlpgwNuNKw9r8LnQL6svLaRZdVLJcW5-U08im_ariVFMzgk36yf_kmF1Jh63WEQbv6klMTmabi9hOQDRAUglNEqlM3qHqw-EaVkIK0RcRRgP1pAgP5BPDxTwpwTNGIOJiJM/s1600/13.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mute swan chasing Canada Goose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxUr_1pi6h5XhWI545j2RcO8nyXNUMBXJNpaS0XqzrB2_Xu78miApiZWQOTn_r0-bV8zPTJZre7I8Y-5kSo0-ZHZjEpt4gw4nLmgySGxPMXiP4Y0CdyBfrcE9LBCyBeYctyWR4_B327M/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxUr_1pi6h5XhWI545j2RcO8nyXNUMBXJNpaS0XqzrB2_Xu78miApiZWQOTn_r0-bV8zPTJZre7I8Y-5kSo0-ZHZjEpt4gw4nLmgySGxPMXiP4Y0CdyBfrcE9LBCyBeYctyWR4_B327M/s1600/14.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">male mute swan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIf3s2nceg0c-MYj9hpFIRCGTsVrIdHMUx6EVc9ErAa8Cba40m5ApYNedSS8Mm-ciSwNI2Qk-ZM19jzYv1SmY2mtq5pcpijRyMAxh2qIyp-IczScexc3ZMIg0uMHrX0dONxgDFWoU18o/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mute swan with head and neck retracted" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIf3s2nceg0c-MYj9hpFIRCGTsVrIdHMUx6EVc9ErAa8Cba40m5ApYNedSS8Mm-ciSwNI2Qk-ZM19jzYv1SmY2mtq5pcpijRyMAxh2qIyp-IczScexc3ZMIg0uMHrX0dONxgDFWoU18o/s1600/15.jpg" height="400" title="mute swan" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mute swan with head and neck retracted and protected</td></tr>
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<i><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7000007629395px;"></span></span>Many of these photographs are available on cards and gifts in my Zazzle Store.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/notecard_busking_display_male_mute_swan_card-137952745707597023?rf=238347968831363861"> <img alt="Notecard: 'Busking Display Male Mute Swan' Card" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/notecard_busking_display_male_mute_swan_card-r83c422d7c1954919992e4d8eaa63a099_xvua8_8byvr_325.jpg" style="border: 0;" /> </a> <br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/notecard_busking_display_male_mute_swan_card-137952745707597023?rf=238347968831363861">Notecard: 'Busking Display Male Mute Swan' Card</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/annmackiemiller*">annmackiemiller</a> <br />
See other <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/cards?rf=238347968831363861">greeting card templates</a> on zazzle.com </div>
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<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/mute_swan_notecard-137248383106265120?rf=238347968831363861"> <img alt="Mute Swan Notecard" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/mute_swan_notecard-r3e34c1761d47449983fc4d9686e6966b_xvua8_8byvr_325.jpg?bg=0xffffff" style="border: 0;" /> </a> <br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/mute_swan_notecard-137248383106265120?rf=238347968831363861">Mute Swan Notecard</a> by <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/just_cards*">Just_Cards</a> <br />
Find more Bird Cards at <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/bird+cards?rf=238347968831363861">Zazzle</a> </div>
AnnMackieMillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14645419116758558186noreply@blogger.com0