The harsh realities

I have been in two minds about posting these few pictures. There was great excitement at Blashford Lakes a couple of weeks ago as 3 out of the 4 Little Ringed Plover eggs hatched. I missed the event but happened to pop in the following day. Unfortunately, from a photographic point of view, the parents had taken them a bit further from the hide into the cover of such sparse vegetation as there is. However these too cute little balls of fluff could be seen running around looking for insect life to pack in the protein.

They never really came within range for good pictures and I got distracted by one of the parents having a wash and brush up.

Indeed it seemed to be the time of day for personal hygiene as a Common Tern dropped by for a prolonged bathtime experience.

No need for a towel on the beach for this bird, drip dry in a flash.

Meanwhile the adult Plovers, although they may not look it, were constantly on the alert for signs of danger, any alarm call causing the chicks to freeze, relying totally on their camouflage for protection.

Its funny with chicks of pretty well any species of bird, their feet look far too big for them ever to grow into. 

This was as close as any of them came during my hour or so watching.

I visited the lakes this week to see how things were progressing but sadly all of the chicks had been predated in their first week of life. Cute and fluffy they may be, but they are also on the menu of many other animals and birds also trying to bring up their own families at this time of year. On a brighter note, a new scrape had been prepared and the business of egg laying had already begun. I hope for a happier outcome this time round.