Archives: March 2006
Wed Mar 29, 2006
Not my favourite bird...
Not my favourite bird, but I rarely seem to be able to get as near as I did today to a Magpie to get a decent shot...
Today was the first time I have had a walk along the banks of the Slea for almost a week, I didnt see any Dabchicks or Tufted ducks, however last year they both bred on the Slea and I personally didnt see them before they had 'little ones' with them, so I am hoping that they are just nesting somewhere safe and out of site and hope we will see them again shortly :)
Terry
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Thu Mar 23, 2006
Its the Moorhens turn now...
Its the Moorhens turn now for fighting...
... the male Coot who was attacked yesterday by the pair from the pond is still keeping them at bay, the attackers still are trying to muscle into the territory but seem to back off at the moment when the other male coot challenges them. I do really hope that peace decends and that the pair at Cogglesford are free from the attackers to bring up their young.
The female Tufted Duck and the 2 males are still on the pond in Lollycocks field, they seem VERY nervous and get a little alarmed if anyone gets within 50 feet of the pond. I just hope they settle down and bring up some youg ones as happened for the first time in a long time last year.
I havnt seen a dabchick (aka Little Grebe) for a few days but hope they havnt gone completely.
Terry
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Wed Mar 22, 2006
More Coot wars......
More Coot wars...
... I was very worried that the coot under the water would be drowned but thankfully he survived. He is being attacked by the 2 from the pond who are trying to muscle into a territory on the Slea. The male they are attacking is defending his mate who is sitting on a nest. I really hope the terrirories can be sorted out before any coot get harmed.
I had a very close encounter with a tree creeper near Cogglesford...
... he/she stayed still while I got his/her photo, I suppose instinct tells them not to move as their camouflage is really good. My first ever sight of a tree creeper was yesterday so I am pleased to get this close up shot of one so quickly afterwards :)
Terry
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Tue Mar 21, 2006
It was all happening (for the Slea) today...
UPDATE: The 3 Tufted ducks made their way from the pond to the Slea this afternoon.
2 male and 1 female Tufted Ducks appeared on Lollycocks Field Pond this morning, I wonder in any of them are from last years inhabitants ?
Tufted ducks on the pond today...
There was also more coot wars as 2 coots (I think they are the Lollycocks pond couple) have moved in between our 2 pairs at Cogglesford and the leisure centre. When I left peace had decended but I dont know for how long, it probably all depends on the attitude of the 2 'resident' pairs whether they are willing to give up some of their territory ?
The 2 swans then landed by the leisure centre...
... incidentally I am unsure if the 2 swans above the weir at the TIC have disappeared or not as I have not seen them for 3-4 days and I even went up to Sleaford Castle but still couldnt find them ?
I also saw for the very first time a Tree creeper near the leisure centre, I am assuming this is the 1 Graeme told me that he had seen the other day ?
For the Slea there was a lot happening :)
Terry
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Wed Mar 15, 2006
I think the RCP...
I think the Red Crested Pochard has flown as I havnt seen it for a few days and I especially looked out for him today with no joy. I hope he finds other RCP's to play/mate with.
I was told the 2 swans were still at the Hub this morning but they were not there when I looked, the other 2 above the TIC (Tourist Info Centre) weir were definately still there.
I know this is not a good image but it shows how determined a Chaffinch is when he thinks another male is in his territory, taken at Cogglesford.
Chaffinch attacking his own reflection...
Terry
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Sun Mar 12, 2006
More Mink...
The Millers were telling me today that they think they have seen 3 different Mink near the Mill (possibly a family) as they have seen a large, medium and a small Mink. The small one actually looked through the door of the Mill when some members of the public were inside looking around. I think this is really bad news for the rest of the wildlife on the Slea :(
The 2 coots that normally are outside the leisure centre were today 50 yds downstream of the bridge which seems to put them into the other pair of coots territory so there could be 'coot wars' all over again.
Picture of a dabchick today, I really feel sorry for the stickleback...
Terry
PS I have just realised that I havnt seen the Red Crested Pochard for a few days although he is reasonably easy to miss if tucked away somewhere, I will have to make a point of looking out for him.
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Fri Mar 10, 2006
Have they have got away lightly...
The company and individuals found guilty of polluting the River Slea and killing about 100,000 fish and other aquatic life, have been fined...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4794998.stm
...did they get away lightly, I will leave it up to you to decide, I know what I think...
Terry
Other links regarding this incident for completeness...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2795167.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3239267.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4724630.stm
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Thu Mar 09, 2006
Still two....
There are still 2 swans above the Tourist info office weir and two below so it looks as through they still dont know each other exists or that they are prepared to tolerate each other as long as territories dont overlap ?
Terry
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Sun Mar 05, 2006
Mink and then Swans...
The Miller from Cogglesford Mill told me today that he saw a Mink in the Mill race recently, I think this is bad news for the other wildlife on the Slea as I know they kill voles, rabbits and birds so they will also be on the look out for fully grown ducks/ducklings/moorhens/coots/cygnets etc etc :( :( :(
I saw 2 swans in the town today and also 2 at the Hub, I suppose they do not know each other is there at the moment but if they find out there could be problems unless they 'agree' the weir at the Tourist info office is the boundary of each territory.
Terry
PS I wondered if the female of the pair above the weir was last years female coming back with another mate as she lost her mate when he had to be put down, but after looking at closeup photographs of the swans bill that I took today for identification purposes I can reveal that the bill pattern is different from last years female, so she hasnt returned.
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Fri Mar 03, 2006
Dabchick...
Dabchick (aka little grebe) on the Slea this morning with a little fish...
... what would I give to see a Great Crested Grebe on the Slea...
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(Taken at Hartsholme, Lincoln)
Terry
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