House Building? and an odd couple…

Well, not exactly. The first part of the title refers to these little fellows: house martins.

They're gathering mud for nest building, and one of their favoured spots is just under eaves of – yes – a house.

Those were taken yesterday in bright sunshine. They weren't the only busy ones. The sunshine brought out the swallows too, but they were more interested in feeding.

I had intended to post those yesterday but was distracted by the fox encounter later in the day.

Today was quiet. It was dull, windy, with more than a hint of rain in the air. We need the rainfall, but it kept the small birds under cover. Fortunately a couple of the larger birds decided to take a stroll around the pond and provide the second part of the title. They were there first thing in the morning, and again at lunchtime.

This was certainly one of my closer encounters with an egret which struck me as being much smaller than I generally imagine them to be. At one point it was standing next to a gull (sorry no picture) which is altogether a larger bird (not only twice the weight, but equal in length). But what the little egret lacks in size it makes up for in dress sense. That white coat and black leggings, set off with orange boots is undoubtedly eye-catching.

The heron may not have quite such a natty suit of clothes (they look more like Victorian court ushers), but it certainly knows how to cock a snook at the local authorities…

I'll close with a quick photo of the young moorhens.

… and some ducklings from the latest clutch.

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. gdare

    27 May 2011

    It seems that water birds like to stay on those "NO FISHING" signs 😀

  2. SittingFox

    28 May 2011

    Heron and egret – first time I've seen that, I think! And I guess if they want herons to read signs, they should write them in the style of Woodstock from the Snoopy cartoons!

  3. Words

    29 May 2011

    Darko, I'm sure they think that the council puts them there especially for them.

  4. Words

    29 May 2011

    Adele, it was interesting to see the difference in size between the pair of them. They seemed happy to share that part of the bank. I can just see Brighton creating a series of signs Woodstock-style.

  5. Words

    29 May 2011

    Erwin, thanks!

  6. Mickeyjoe-Irl

    31 May 2011

    Originally posted by Words:

    That white coat and black leggings, set off with orange boots is undoubtedly eye-catching.

    Don't forget the headgear, good enough for a royal wedding. 😉

  7. Words

    31 May 2011

    Originally posted by Mickeyjoe-Irl:

    Don't forget the headgear, good enough for a royal wedding.

    LOL!

  8. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Great Photos….:up:

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