Sightings

Yesterday afternoon in the high temperatures and hot sunshine: Two separate moorhen families – one on main Mill Stream between reed bed and boardwalk near Dragonfly Pond; the other family with absolutely MINISCULE chicklets on the Frog Lane ditch, both parents very assiduously helping them feed. And a couple of days ago I watched two moorhens – I have to presume males? – having a very aggressive power battle on the canal by the TG – the two birds with their heads down, necks stretched out, almost horizontal at water-surface level, both birds with tail-feathers held high and spread, showing their brilliant white tail underfeathers. Then one bird turned tail, lifted its head and started swimming away, driven off by the other moorhen – who still had his/her head down at water level, like a torpedo-shape as he/she pursued the rival...