Wednesday 18 May 2016

Ducklings and other things!

Almost as soon as I got off the bus at Musselburgh today, I saw these adorable red breasted merganser chicks with their mother

Further downstream, right at the mouth of the River Esk in fact, I saw this group of eiders. The males were calling and throwing their necks back, trying to attract the female's attention, but she fought them off, she's got enough to do with looking after her chicks, without the males being so demanding!

This male reed bunting was singing, also trying to attract a female, but without resorting to the harassment tactics used by the eider!

Meanwhile this snail just ambled along at its own pace






10 comments:

LindsayO said...

I just love those merganser chicks, so cute

Sandy said...

I just realized that I have never seen duckings in the water at the shore. Thanks so much for posting these wonderful photos. Loved that snail, too!

Lynn said...

Nice - so very cute. And I like that you know what their calls are about.

I gave you a shout out on my blog this morning - thank you again for the lovely bracelet. I love it.

Jenn Jilks said...

Tis so glorious to have the birds back here! I love yours!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, nice variety of birds. I like the snail, neat sightings. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

You are so lucky getting views of eider and merganser especially so close. Neither species do I encounter here

A Cuban In London said...

Beautiful, beautiful images.

Greetings from London.

Caroline Gill said...

What fabulous sightings, Juliet. I particularly love Mergansers and Eiders - they always make me think of Scotland!

Pietro Brosio said...

Very nice images!
Many greetings!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Birds and ducks are great! And the snail ambling at its own pace (I feel like that some mornings when it's too hot to walk fast already!)

Good luck with the Wild Month Challenge! I look forward to seeing what you do.