Grebes have young but they have...

As most people seem to be out enjoying the summer weather, holidays and Pokemon Go I have decided to publish less blogs until the Nights start to draw in. Most posts will be from the beginning of the summer but today I have decided to write about some strange goings on. 

A few weeks ago after thinking the nesting season was over we noticed the Grebes on the local lake had finally hatched there eggs. The pair had 2 young which rode on there backs for a few days and the pair grew quickly. Everything was fine for about two weeks till a week ago when all 4 disappeared from the lake. We checked the surrounding pools and canal  but they could not be found. While walking and kayaking I spotted a few dead birds floating in the water but it had not occurred to me it could have been the grebes till I noticed they had disappeared. I am not sure if it was a natural predator, human intervention or they left the area but I think they were too young to fly so I'm hoping a natural predator but i. More investigation needed I think and first I'll chat to the locals and keep an eye out while biking, jogging, walking and kayaking. I have a few new camera mounts for filming wildlife over the next year. I have developed one that is perfect for underwater and for when I'm riding my bike as I keep bumping into things without having a camera accessible while out biking. Abit of good news on the 11th August as there is a family matching there numbers abit further up in the canal.

The photograph below is of my first Action camera wrist mount prototype

Thanks for reading my blog

Stay wild, be happy and be safe
 

Mike

Patrolling the local canals to keep the wildlife safe

Over the past few weeks I have started going for a night walk with a small group of wildlife lovers. Lately while walking we have noticed people not known to the area parking up and heading out with torches and species of dogs used for hunting at last light. So to put off these individuals from there activities we have been regularly checking the canal stretches and rural car parks along the T&M for suspicious behavior. As most of the group walks the canals regularly we know who's who and would recognize vehicle that are new to the area but we record number plates in case we find anything untoward. This afternoon we observed and kept an eye on 2 eastern Europeans in camouflage paying lots of attention to a local boaters cargo and as we have had reports of this activity where people come down to research an area then return at night with nets to catch fish and any other water bird life they can catch. As the T&M area of my local patch is where I do lots of filming of wildlife I feel that I am giving back by protecting and patrolling the area to make sure there safe from any human harm especially over the quiet and dark Winter months when boaters are scarce. The canal tow paths at this time of year maybe muddy and slippery but in the darkness there peaceful and on a clear night to get away from the bright streets lights and look up at the stars is a very calming experience.

Thank you for reading

Mike