Some birds of Summer 2017

Feed me! Mother black bird and almost full-size offspring.

I think that it has been quite a good year for birds so far (just entering August now) here in SW England. There was a long mainly warm and dry period during the main fledging period when the young birds left their nests but would not have been full feathered.  Currently we are in a very wet spell but hopefully the youngsters are now better able to cope with the wet - and it is not that cold!

Here are a few photographs from the last few months from the garden and canal.

Begging rewarded.

Dad looks on!

Several weeks ago - duckling looked like this. See how she grows up below.

Young black bird considers its independence.

Young blue tit at the fat ball feeder.

Some days have been very busy at the feeders - young blue tits and young long-tailed tits seem to visit together. There is perhaps safety in numbers!

Young long-tailed tit.

I believe this is the same duckling as that shown above. She is virtually
indistinguishable from her mother now. The youngster is at the back.

A less often seen visitor - a jay hiding in the trees.

Mother and youngster again at the end of July-
she still has no flight feathers and, when frightened ,'
runs' over the water or hides behind mum.

And finally....

Bloody cheek!

Miscreant enjoying some pomegranate.