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The first Spring Tide of the New Year has just passed, with a deep low pressure over the North sea it pushed the level almost to the top of the Swans Island. However we are getting off lightly compared to the rest of the country and across the pond, it has been positively balmy !
I took the opportunity to empty and refresh the garden pond for Disco and Limpy, getting rid of the decayed leaves and dirt.
Both of them could not wait, and plunged in well before it was half full. Limpy could not get enough of the fresh water and kept sticking his head into the hose pipe flow. Both are disabled, but they sure enjoy life to the full.
Meanwhile down on the river, the seal is still using the high tides to do some fishing along with the red breasted merganser.
With our resident Swans away, things seem quiet on the river.
However life goes on for all the other wildlife. Yesterday we had a new swan visitor checking out the river and island, looked like a single male.
Today the Seal taking advantage of the Spring tide, for a meander well up river, being closely watched by the mergansers and ducks.
A typical December day.
Today gives us a welcome respite from the poor weather of recent days, positively spring like.
Even the frisky ducks thought so.
With the river in spate and high tides, the Seal was on the prowl for any late running Salmon.
While Penny and Duke led a flotilla of ducks upstream - beautiful day on the River !
The river seal is back on the prowl again with the coming high tides this week, his main diet is fish but he will take duck if given the chance.
The ducks are pretty clued up about his presence, and the alarm goes out as they all head to the sides and shallow water.
Mid - Winter solstice today, and also marks my 900 blog posts to date since 2005. The river is running high and the forecast is for
more rain and snow in the hills during this festive season.
The Swans will not chase their cygnets away during this stormy unsettled weather, so likely to be here for a wee while yet.
The salmon will be spawning, and a big seal is already on the hunt for fish as witnessed today. The swans and ducks were sticking close to the Island out of harms way.
Meanwhile the pigeons have a mid- winter meal !
After returning from the South Nairn Demo, I returned to my usual duties of feeding the waterbirds, only to see them take fright and head up river.
The resident Seal was taking advantage of the high tide to do a spot of Salmon fishing.
Although at some distance, I managed to get some shots of the action as it unfolded, with the Seal catching a salmon and devouring it before my eyes.
Interestingly using it's front flippers to hold the fish whilst eating it - resembling an Otter.
The sequence of shots tells the story.
Another crisp day and a distinctive wind chill, but dry and pleasant at least. The ducklings are doing well and for the most part sleeping and eating like most baby creatures do. Getting them into a routine in order to clean out the brooder etc and reduce the workload on me, for it will consume more of my time as they get older. They are content to snuggle up to the pic of Mum with the heat lamp directly above, it's as near as I can reproduce home from home.
Morning means bathtime while I clean out the brooder, refresh the water and feed tray, and clean towel bedding, easier and less messy than straw ! This allows them to preen and dry themselves off before breakfast and another sleep.(short video below). I checked on their Mum today and she is back with her partner, he is a hybrid of the old blondie, hence the reason we have two lighter coloured ducklings in this brood.
With high tide, the seal made it's usual visit searching for early kelts or late salmon, he gave me the once over before diving. The head was almost human looking !
The heads of the ducklings are very very cute, but will also include a Salmon I saw jumping earlier this year, and the Swans in this post too !
