Along the canal - my 6 feathered families
'what ya doing?" white mallard duck by annmackiemiller |
Some people feel the need to travel to exotic locations to photograph birds, but there is plenty to see and learn around your own neighbourhood. All you need is a camera, a notebook and a willingness to venture out in all weathers. Personally, I love to be able to tell a story with my pictures and there is no better way to do that than by observing the birds day by day. I hope you enjoy sharing my journey.
6 Wildfowl Families Along Bingley Canal
There were several waterfowl families that captured my imagination last year.
In their pecking order:
In their pecking order:
- Grumps and Lady: mute swans who had seven cygnets
- The Canada Geese who had seven goslings
- Greenhill Geese: White domestic geese with only four goslings
- Mama Mallard: a golden-coloured mallard duck who produced 15 ducklings
- Smudge the white mallard duck
- Micklethwaite Moorhens: a mating pair of moorhens at Micklethwaite Wharf who produced two broods
Mute Swans
mute swans with cygnets by annmackiemiller |
7 mute swan cygnets |
'Lady' the mute swan with cygnets by annmackiemiller |
Swans mate for life, Grumps' first mate died and this is his new love called Lady. They had seven cygnets.
Canada Geese
Canada Geese and Goslings by annmackiemiller Parents keep watch as the goslings feed |
The folk who own the flats alongside the canal were fortunate to have these little gardeners keeping the grass short.
'On the water' Adult Canada goose with goslings on water |
'Keeping it together' Canada Geese Goslings |
Greenhill Geese: Embden Geese
'That tickles!' Embden geese with goslings |
'follow the butt' Goslings and adult Embden goose on water |
'keep off!' Adult Embden goose protecting young |
Mallard Ducks
female mallard duck by annmackiemiller |
Mama Mallard is a golden-coloured mallard duck who produced 15 ducklings last year. Included in the brood was one golden chick. There is a really high mortality rate among chicks so sadly only 5 survived to adulthood. I was delighted that the little yellow duckling grew up to be a beautiful little white duck.
mallard ducklings |
yellow mallard duckling |
mallard ducklings |
Smudge the White Mallard Duck
Smudge, mate and ducklings |
It is unusual for mallards to have a single partner but Smudge is the exception. Her mate is recognisable because he lacks the usual white ring around his neck.
What was interesting was that a few weeks later Smudge inserted her way into another mallard brood and eventually both females looked after the two surviving ducklings.
mallard ducklings |
Smudge and her ducklings by annmackiemiller |
Micklethwaite Moorhens
moorhens and nest |
This family build their nest out into the canal giving me a great chance to watch them over a prolonged period.
'in the nest' adult moorhen with chicks on the nest |
'Feed me Feed me' Adult moorhen with chick |
I've written about these families extensively over on hubpages - you can see the photo journals and others there - AnnMackieMiller on Hubpages.
Where to find photo journals on these families
Mute Swans
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Canada Geese
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Greenhill Geese
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Mallard
Ducks
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Smudge the Little White Duck
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Moorhens
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