Tuesday 27 May 2014

Scotland - Slavonian Grebe part 2

Portraits were the order of the day in part one but today there was a sense of menace in the air at the lochan today! There were at least 5 Slavs, mostly males who seemed intent on tearing each other apart for the right to settle down here.....

It kicked off on arrival!




With a female looking on and presumably angling to select the 'fittest' male, this scenario rumbled on and on.....




Feet thrashing, wing beating bill stabbing....






A bit like sumo wrestling in miniature?






Eventually tired but undefeated, the mortal blow never came and it was time to retreat and recover!


No other birds of note amongst the 30 species seen here but this Willow Warbler was showing how Crested Tits for example should be posing!


And that reminds me - it's time for a bite to eat....