Hugh’s News – 1 June 2021

On a walk around Royden Park last week, I came across two Moorhen chicks. Although still fluffy, black balls, they were already quite independent, climbing over the lily pads in search of food items while the parents looked on. The youngsters did return to the nest though for a bit of reassurance from mum and dad.  A separate pair of Moorhens were on a nest on the floating platform on the opposite side of the lake.

Bill Wonderley made the trip to World’s End and was rewarded with some great birds, including both Black and Red Grouse as well as Wheatear.  He also had a distant view of a Cuckoo, perched in a tree and being mobbed by Pipits.  I haven’t made it to this wonderful spot for the last two years now, so I am very jealous.  Next year!

Mike Hart has drawn our attention to an interesting and thought-provoking article in The Lake by Richard Smith. You can read more about this on Richard’s website:-http://www.deeestuary.co.uk/news0421.htm

Those of you that couldn’t make last Thursday’s Zoom presentation, I have to say you missed a really good presentation from Dr. Rob Williams, taking us on a journey through Peru from the Pacific to the Amazon.  Rob was clearly very knowledgeable, but the talk was pitched to be accessible to everyone.  The quality of his photographs covering birds, animals, habitat and historic sites was superb.

Finally, you will remember the photo by Stewart Smith of a Redshank on a waste-bin. The joint best entries for a caption (as judged by me!) were:-

1 – This is a rubbish nest site.

2 – No, I refuse to move.

Groan!

Hugh Stewart