Why did the Dabs do this… I went down the Slea again this afternoon (see previous post for this mornings report and video clip) just to see how the little Dabs were getting on. There was no sign of them but I wasnt worried because I thought they may be down near Quackers which is where one of the parents seemed to be looking for a new ‘home’. They were not there either so I just assumed that I had just not seen them. I went further downstream to see the ‘new’ pair of Dabs and I was a little surprised to see our family of 2 parents and 2 babies exactly where the ‘new’ pair had set up their home. So the ‘new’ pair will have been sent packing by the parents, who will not stand for any other Dabs anywhere nearby, but I did hear the ‘new’ pair further downstream, so they have not left the Slea altogether.
I personally believe that our Dab family will probably stay where they are now as it is very quiet and without anything else to give them much hassle. This means that if our ‘new’ pair had laid eggs they certainly will not hatch now, my only hope for these is that the female has not actually laid all her eggs and if they can find a new nest site very quickly all may not be lost for them – I think I am being VERY VERY optimistic if I believe that but you cannot blame me for ‘hoping’.
Terry