Bird Business

Just a quick update on the water fowl near us...

-The swan is still diligently sitting on her nest. She tends it very meticulously. Yesterday evening we saw her get up to change positions, so we got to see the eggs. When she sat back down, spreading herself over the eggs, she very gently picked up bits of dry grass and fluff to tuck around the edges. Very sweet. There was a drunkard on a bench nearby swilling Budweiser (yeah, even in England), so we were reluctant to leave her unattended. Went back this morning to make sure she was still there. Yep, she's still on the nest. While I was there, she got up to change position again and I was able to count the eggs. There are now 12-13! They'll likely hatch any day now.

-The moor hen chicks have gotten almost as big as the mother and they have lost most of their cuteness. All gangly looking and starting to molt. Not a pretty sight. They were up on dry land this morning to see what it's like to dig up worms and insects, I presume. I would have thought their nesting days were over, but yesterday evening we saw all five of them cramming themselves into the nest under their mother. She spread out her wings to try to cover them as best she could. Can't imagine it would be a comfortable night's sleep! There is also another moor hen incubating some eggs on the same "island" that the swan is on. She's been there for a while, so they'll probably hatch soon, too.

-There was a duck with 10 ducklings. They have dwindled to 5 lively little ones. At the slightest sign of danger, they practically run on the surface of the water. Fast little guys! There's also another duck pair with one little duckling -- an "only child".