Two Months Old

Cygnets are 2 months old and like peas in a pod...except for the little one which lags behind. 

Seems like it's always last to the food and first to finish, also stays mainly on the outside of the brood. 

The biggest ones intimidate it, but I'm hoping this is a phase that will pass in time. Still no real sign of Sue starting to moult , but should start this month. 

Meanwhile Donnie and Disco have both moulted together at home, and look pretty happy together with their offspring gone to the river. 

The Mother duck with 9 ducklings on the river,  is still surviving and thriving. Short video below.

Coming On

All the new broods are coming on nicely - except for one of the cygnets that appears to be the runt of the family. 

                      It might have been the last to hatch and has never really caught up yet, hopefully it will over the coming months.

 Meanwhile they are flexing their tiny wings, and should be casting their downy fluff for feathers soon. 

Slim, showing just how far they have to grow !  

Currently numbering 16, the ducklings are also growing, with the ever present Mothers keeping a watchful eye for dangers. 

Fishin & Surfin

Goosander and chicks are enjoying summer life on the river. 

The abundance of seasonal incomer fish, like tiddler flounders, and other small species, can be caught easily by the chicks. 

Goosanders belong to the sawbill family, with serrated edges to their pointed bill giving a firm grip on fish. 

Surfing on Mums back and fishing are the order of the day !..Ain't nature wonderful !

Baby Goosanders

We have a new brood of chicks on the river as of a few days ago. 

A resident mother Goosander turned up with 5 chicks, but has since lost one to the Crows or gulls. 

Had the good fortune to see her and the babies fishing happily near the Merryton bridge - 

                     - as with all chicks , they are cute. Short video below.

Holiday Mood

The lovely summer spell of weather continues, with an increase in visitors along the riverside. 

The low water conditions mean the birds are again gathering at the Merryton bridge for their daily supplementary feed, providing  an added attraction for the visitors. 

Smartphones at the ready for a holiday memento of their visit to Nairn, and the wildlife near at hand to lift the mood. 

Short smartphone video, courtesy of Avril below.

 

This Weeks Tally

Been a week of mixed fortunes, but the river wildlife is currently on the positive side. 

Swans and cygnets are growing rapidly, starting to take on the appearance of small swans. 

The ducks are having a tougher time being smaller and vulnerable to predators. Some duck mothers are more experienced and better than others at caring for their ducklings. The two currently most successful, have been round the block before. 

One of them has 6 survivors, and the other has 9 out of 10 just 5 days old. 

Was informed today about another successful mother of 9 at the Dunbar golf course, long may it continue. I am fully expecting more to hatch because of the late spring this year, could be hatching well into July !  

Dangerous Times

Moulting times have arrived for many of the Mallard Drakes, with warm temperatures and sunny weather. Most drakes will now have started this process as the testosterone levels drop and mating season almost over. However there are still some Drakes highly active, and will pounce on any available female duck. 

This was the case a few days ago when I rescued a female, badly injured on head and neck. Sadly she died during the night. 

Failing the availability of a female, a Drake who is moulting and unable to escape will do! 

Today I found a badly attacked Drake with severe damage to his head and back due to amorous drakes. Hope I got him in time as he was pretty weak, and flies were starting to land on him.

 On returning home, I checked for fly eggs on the open wounds, before giving him some anti inflammatory and anti bacterial treatment. Will give him peace and quiet, the rest is now up to him.  

UPDATE: Sadly, Drake did not survive but at least died peacefully.

Ducklings Successful Release

After 8 weeks in the safe care of the Trust, it was time to release Disco's 15 ducklings, plus 2 fostered ones. 

With the help of the Chairman and Secretary, we corralled and transported them down to the riverside. Their chances of survival are as good as we could make them, ability to fly is already at hand for some.

 The weather and river conditions are ideal, allowing them to make the adjustment from a wild garden, to the wide world in the coming days.

 Short video below.

 

Swans Greetings Card

Our intrepid new Trust Secretary, has designed an eco friendly fully compostable Swans greetings card. These can be purchased now from The Nairn Bookshop who will kindly take no commission to benefit the local river bird life. 

The Trust is very grateful to the Artist Isla Mae Jacobs, and  The Nairn Bookshop. Artistic and carbon neutral cards, good for the environment and the Swans too !   

Preening With Mum

Lovely summer weather, ideal for a dip and a preen with Mum. 

At three and half weeks, cygnets are the size of Mallard ducks.  

Short video of preening session below. 

Full Pool

Cygnets are growing fast and no longer hitching a ride on Sue's back. They are safe from the Crows and almost as big as a Mallard now. Slim and Sue are now traversing the lower river with confident cygnets beside them. 

Meanwhile Disco and her 17 ducklings are taking up the entire garden pond and making a fair old mess of the place. 

She is still the concerned mother at all times, and gets quite anxious when any show signs of stress, like trying to get out of a half empty pond as can be seen here. I am planning their fully fledged release to the river next week sometime, as they should be on the verge of Flight. Short video below showing ducklings excitement at pond being refreshed.

Sunset Cygnets

Blessed with a sunny spell of weather, all the waterbirds are chilling out and thriving.

 Sue has finally stopped carrying the cygnets on her back. 

However, there's always one that hangs in there, and just cant stop loving his Mum !  

Sunsets have provided some nice photo opportunities and a  privileged chance to get very close to some sunset cygnets, courtesy of Slim and Sue.

 Short video below. Enjoy !