MAY 2008 - Grebe and Coot nesting.

Lakeside is home to several Great Crested Grebes. This pair eventually hatched at least 2 chicks. One grew faster than the other and consequently bigger and stronger. The parents disowned the smaller fledgling and would continually chase it away. I was witness to this on a couple of visits - thereafter, I never saw the smaller fledgling again. I guess it must have perished through cold and hunger, but... that is the way of Mother Nature!!

On a happier note, a family of Coots were also nesting. Well the female Coot was on the nest with at least 3 eggs, attended by two other Coots. One will have been the male parent while the other could have been a family member that has not paired-off and so is helping out.

While at PCNR, I came across this Orange-Tip Butterfly (top). A male, was a marvelous sight on the Bluebells.