I went back to Leighton Moss RSPB reserve on Monday. The avocet chicks are growing and coming closer to the hide.
I think these chicks are about a week old. They were easy to spot because they were the only one-parent family on the lagoon. I don't know their history, but their parent was doing a good job of brooding them when they were resting and keeping an eye on threats. Avocet chicks feed themselves and are quite happy to go out of their depth and swim, sometimes spinning as they feed rather like mini-phalaropes.
After 3 hours watching I took a short break; when I returned the wind had risen a little and one of the chicks was near its parent, although they wouldn't both face the camera at the same time. I have posted a shot to show the size of the chick. Then it came a little closer to the hide.
Alan
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I think these chicks are about a week old. They were easy to spot because they were the only one-parent family on the lagoon. I don't know their history, but their parent was doing a good job of brooding them when they were resting and keeping an eye on threats. Avocet chicks feed themselves and are quite happy to go out of their depth and swim, sometimes spinning as they feed rather like mini-phalaropes.
After 3 hours watching I took a short break; when I returned the wind had risen a little and one of the chicks was near its parent, although they wouldn't both face the camera at the same time. I have posted a shot to show the size of the chick. Then it came a little closer to the hide.
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
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Alan