Rutland Water Walk 1. Grebes and Egrets

Plenty to see and photograph on our RPS Nature Group outing to Rutland Water though most of it was fairly distant. Here images of Great Crested Grebes at various stages with some pairs on nests, others showing courtship behaviour or arguing over territory. Lots of Little Egrets and one Great White Egret entertained us. 

St Albans Nest Building Underway

I called in at the park in St Albans on my way back from talking in Tring the night before. Great to talk to a 'live' audience. The sun had just come above the trees giving beautiful but harsh light on the incoming Grey Heron as it went back and forth bringing twigs to the nest site. Only this one Heron was evident - hopefully there are others. The clouds then came up so the light was poor for the Magpie collecting nest material and the Coot guarding its nest site from a passing Moorhen.

Great Crested Grebe Courtship Dance

Spring was definitely in the air this morning with the Grebes performing their courtship dance and starting a bit of nest construction. There was a lot of head turning and bobbing at all possible occasions.