Easter Saturday at NDC

 

 Water levels are slowly going down, especially close to Garganey hide. This lapwing was the closest bird

At the far end of the reserve, near the sand martin wall were lots of greylag geese. Some had young with them. In the same area were 2 Egyptian geese, several sheldsucks and lots of teal.Cormorants were sitting on the top of fence posts, before flying to the River Derwent to fish.

On the open stretches of water, shoveler, mallard and gadwall were feeding along with 8 wigeon.

Lapwings were constantly chasing away carrion crows. After an hour in Garganey hide I strolled back to the Geoff Smith hide.

The flower meadow is slowly growing and has lots of colour in it, which was attracting linnets.

Chiffchaff, willow warbler and blackcaps were singing from the trees along the footpath.

I was surprised to see that the swan nest was empty. I presumed that the 2 birds on the water were the ones that built the nest. After feeding for a while they started courting.

Firstly they both made the same neck movements.

Then the male climbed on top of the female.

then they did a dance similar to great crested grebes.

Shortly afterwards they flew off.

A kestrel hovered just outside the hide before dropping into the grass. However it did not catch anything.Meanwhile a coot just sat on its nest.

Two swallows were busy flying about trying to catch insects, which I guess were not coming out into the cold wind.