Walking by the river at this time of year I'm always on the lookout for chicks - the goslings are growing well and there are a few ducklings. some other birds come up the river while they have young as the food is easier to reach than in the waves of the firth (estuary). I thought these two sets of chicks provided an interesting contrast in family rearing approaches
The goosander seems very successful in rearing a full clutch of chicks. The eider ducks create a creche of all chicks which is looked after by all of the non breeding females - not many chicks at the moment. Both sets of chicks dive under water for food so taking a photo can be frustrating as they all disappear under water.
I like the idea of the auntie crèche.how sensible!
ReplyDeleteI never knew that about eider ducks - we could do with taking note as humans! You've managed to capture a surprising number of them above the water, despite their propensity of ducking under.
ReplyDeleteTwo lovely photos. I like the child care sharing arrangements of the eider ducks, I've learnt something new today.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we get Eider or Goosander Ducks in our area. I love how nature has purposed an Aunty Creche. Aunties are the bomb :0
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely pairing(you can never go wrong with ducks!!). And what an interesting story about the auntie creche.
ReplyDeleteyes: I was about to remark on your patience! I bet it did take a little while to get both of these pictures
ReplyDeleteLovely Pair! The little chicks are so cute.
ReplyDeleteOh! a fabulous pair. I have been to my local fishing pond to take some Nature Watch pictures todayy and there was a little family of coot. I wonder if the young are cootlings. I haven't seen them yet I hope they are as nice as yours.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about a chick creche, how lovely! We had 9 ducklings on our pond, but none were visible this week. I think the heron might have had them. I did see three Canada Geese (Goose?) chicks, though, protected fiercely by their parents.
ReplyDeleteaww cute :) I need to go down to the Loch and see if there are any ducklings or maybe the swans had babies to take photos of, (from far away :p)
ReplyDeleteOh lovely pair, I do like watching waterbirds, especially ducks with babies.
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