On the Levels

Shapwick Heath, Somerset

 

Little Egret

Common Sandpiper

 

(lunch spotted [on the stem - looks like a Mayfly larva])

Marsh Harrier

Great Crested Grebe

 

 

Meare Heath, Somerset

 

Tortoiseshell

Peacock

Mallard

 

 

Greylake, Somerset

 

Redshank

Little Grebe

A story of one egg

All taken at Langford Lakes, Steeple Langford, Wiltshire.

A couple of extras first:

Chaffinch

Tufted Duck

Those out of the way, here's the promised story.

When the story starts the Great Crested Grebe (last featured here on 23 May 2014) are already sitting on one egg.

Making waves

On guard

 

Going home

Sitting pretty

... and 3 days later:

Getting restless

'Contractions'

Squeeze!

Nearly there

Ka-ching!

What do you make of that?

A quick dip ... ...

... ...and she's back on the eggs

... and shouting for her mate to give her a break!

Even LOUDER!

Awaiting his return

How it rained!!!

He's back; she's off

Checking

Settling down

Some adjustment needed

A bit like riding a bike?

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Sad footnote:

Alas there will be no (hoped for) sequel to this chapter.  When I visited the site 6 days ago the nest was empty and the adults were swimming around on the lake.  There were no chicks, which should have hatched the previous week.  Enquiries reveal that, at about the expected hatch-date, a large Pike was seen sticking its head out of the water at the side of the nest.  Best guess is that hatching chicks stepped out into a Pike's mouth.

I have no doubt that they'll try again.  I've known both Great Crested and Little Grebe have up to 3 attempts before succeeding in raising a brood.