Archives: February 2007
Sun Feb 25, 2007
Today I saw 4....
Today I saw 4 Coots, 2 on the pond and 2 near Cogglesford. When I returned I didn't see the 2 on the pond, they may have been in the reds or even flown away (hope not).
Also saw 2 dabchicks and 1 of them was getting a chasing from a Moorhen ? The RCP is also still around.
Terry
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Fri Feb 23, 2007
Not sure if its good or bad news...
Not sure if its good or bad news, but I went out today again looking for the Mallard with the elastic band between its beak and around its neck. I didn't find him but I did see a lone Mallard in the same place as I have seen the one I was looking for. I looked at the back of his neck to see if I could see in an elastic band had flattened its feathers recently but could see nothing. I didn't see any body either so I am hoping (but may never be sure) that the Mallard I saw was the one and the elastic band had either broken or come off, I fed him anyway 'just in case' it was him.
I saw 'one foot' and 'one eye' but it is sometime now since I have seen 'stiff legs' and hope that he is o.k.
I saw the 2 Coots again but only 1 Dabchick, I wonder if the other Dabchicks are of the river looking at nest sites but I cant really persuade myself that as normally Dabchicks nests are surrounded by water and not on 'dry' land.
Terry
COMMENT:
Hi Terry, to put your mind at rest I definately saw 3 Dabchicks on the Slea this afternoon, I keep looking out for anothers on the pond but no luck so far.
Regards Graham
COMMENT:
Thanks Graham, its nice to know that I am just not seeing them as opposed to them not being there :)
Terry
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Wed Feb 21, 2007
Sadly today I saw...
Sadly today I saw a Male Mallard with an elastic band round its head and between its beak which will stop it feeding. I tried to catch it without success and in the end all I could do was report it to the RSPCA :(
Also saw 2 Coots but only 1 Dabchick.
Terry
UPDATE Thursday 22 Feb 2007: I saw the mallard with the elastic band again today so he survived the night. The elastic band seemed a little looser today, so I suppose he had been stretching it to try and get it off. I tried to feed him with some bread and I am hoping that he was able to swallow at least some but he wouldnt let me get near him at all. I will go and look for him again tomorrow and try and feed him again, I just hope that he can survive until the elastic band rots or hopefully breaks.
Only 1 dabchick again.
Terry
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Sun Feb 18, 2007
I saw the Coot that Graham mentioned...
I saw the Coot that Graham mentioned :) but better still I saw TWO Coots, they were together and not fighting so I am sure they are a 'pair'. They seemed to be checking out nest sites in the same place as 1 Coot hatched last year so I think it is probable that it is the same pair as last year - hope so anyway :)
The down side is that I only saw 1 Dabchick which is a little unusual but hopefully the others are around somewhere ?
Terry
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Wed Feb 14, 2007
Not sure if I saw....
Not sure if I saw 4 or 5 Dabchicks today, 1 was on the pond and this is the first time in a couple of weeks I have seen 1 there. I saw 4 Dabchicks on the Slea but cant be 100% certain the 1 from the pond didn't get back to the Slea when I wasn't looking (although I don't think he did).
Terry
COMMENT
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Hi Terry, I have not seen more than 3 Dabchicks on the river for quite a few days. Perhaps more interestingly though was that I saw a single Coot today (Sat) on the Slea (between gym and mill) which made a pleasant change.
Regards Graham
COMMENT
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Hi Graham, I have also mainly seen only 3 Dabchicks recently, however I definitely saw at least 4 the other day so I am hoping at least 4 stay and breed ? That is interesting about the Coot, I havn't seen it but will keep my eye out and hope that it stays and other(s) join it :)
Terry
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Thu Feb 08, 2007
Kingy in the snow...
Kingy in the snow today...
I only saw 2 Dabchicks this morning, although I think there are still 4 (2 pairs) around, if they both stay we may have 2 families of Dabchicks this year ?
The swans come and go, they are on the Slea today, I also saw 'one foot' and 'one eye' and also 'twisted beak' for the first time. I had been told by people about 'Twisted beak' but never seen him before, his beak is twisted out of alignment but he seems happy enough, he eats and also stands up for himself so it cant affect him too much.
Terry
COMMENT
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I saw a dabchick just below the waterfall at Haverholme today.just wondering if it may be one you are missing, maybe seeking new pastures after being evicted from cogglesford?
Rick
COMMENT
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Hi Rick, nice to hear from you :) Thanks for the interesting info, lets hope its one of 'ours' :)
Terry
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Thu Feb 01, 2007
Ratty...
I saw 'Ratty' today past Cogglesford, its the only time I have seen a water vole on the Slea in the last 4-5 months, its nice to know they are still around although obviously in small numbers...
Not a very good photo as he disappeared into the undergrowth quite quickly.
Terry
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