Saturday, April 23, 2011
Dorney
The common and the wetlands were dry and stifling early this afternoon under an unseasonably warm sun. A lesser whitethroat was rattling and warbling; I could only manage a snatched pic of its head as it peeped out of the hedgerow.
A Cetti's warbler was seen singing in a tree but naturally it dropped out of sight as I fumbled for the camera. Two additional Cetti's were heard.
There's no doubt that this tufted drake is attached to a family of mallards. He was paddling about protectively while they rested on the bank, and when they took to the water he swam off with them.
There's no doubt that this tufted drake is attached to a family of mallards. He was paddling about protectively while they rested on the bank, and when they took to the water he swam off with them.
Later: There are mallard/tuftie hybrids apparently, so these might really be his young.// posted by Christine @ 8:49 AM 
