When Swans Attack!

A woman up the road at Lake Concord have been raising Mute Swans for years. Once she has too many or can't handle them se releases them into the wild. A lot of birders don't like that since they are non-natives but I don't think there is too much they can do about it at this point. The dang things have pretty much established themselves in the nearby neighborhoods.

Right now it seems like it must be breeding time. The pair in Lake Cherokee are getting all fluffy .



I counted as many as 6 in the area today so when a stranger drops in our Lake Davis pair kick them out.



Once the rival has been ejected it takes awhile to come back in for a landing.



The city introduced Chinese Geese to many parks years ago and they live side by side with the swans but this male wanted nothing to do with the goose. The goose knows it and is swimming as fast as possible in the other direction. Check out the wake!



The goose was not going fast enough, though. The swan flew over and appeared to be trying to drown the thing. It eventually escaped.



Some other ducks moved around the argument and headed toward shore. I noticed then that one was a Northern Shoveler. Haven't been too many around this Winter.



So, a little excitement in the neighborhood. Now I wait and see if we get any signets this year. Two years ago they had their first. Last year there were 7.

Walking Lake Davis

Following my walk around Greenwood Wetlands (yesterday's post) I headed over to Lake Davis. Didn't expect too much but I had heard about a nest with eggs so I thought I would check it out. As soon as I exited the van I heard and saw a very busy Northern Parula.



Along the shoreline a Tri-colored Heron kept pace with me and stopped in front of me several times. Perhaps it want its photo taken? Oh, alright.



Speaking of Tri-colored Herons, I spotted a trio of chicks over on the island. I could get no closer and zooming in in Photoshop makes me think that they are heron chicks. Hmmm...



I look to my left and a small flock of Rock Doves (Or are they back to Pigeons again? Still Rock Doves to me.) struts along the sand.



I am surprised to still be finding American Coots around. Found two today. They are usually Winter birds for us. One year we had one bird that remained at Lake Davis year round and I don't know why more do not.



Up ahead, a male Anhinga dries its wings in the Sun and tells me, "Close enough..."



Most of the way around the lake now and I find the introduced flock of Chinese Geese. They usually hink and approach you but today this one just sat calmly near the sidewalk? Could this be where the eggs are? Seems like an odd place to lay eggs.



No. I find one near the water and as I look under a Cypress tree I see many more. Though that doesn't look like a good set-up for a nest. Someone or something must have scattered them. Guess we won't have goslings around this year.



Finally, my tour is about complete. The last bird to strike a pose is a single European Starling foraging around the lake. Though a non-native species, I do admire their colorful feathers from time to time.



Been quite a while since I walked the whole perimeter of the lake. Bird life is still going strong.

One More Visit to Lake Davis

One more chance to get use to the rental lens before the Alaska cruise so I head back to Lake Davis. As soon as I arrived, Momma Mallard brought the young ones up for a rest and feeding.



Out in the lake, some older Mallards watched me with care.



A few Wood Duck chicks drifted by just off shore.



Then an older one slid into view. Love the feathers.



I worked the shoreline to find more birds and had a nice White Ibis wander close to me.



Introduced years ago, the Chinese Geese have been hanging out in the same spot for the past few months. They are quite obvious as they start honking and advancing toward anyone who strays too long.



Just above the geese was an Anhinga in the Cypress tree.



Then we headed off to the other side of the country for our excellent adventure. You know what happened there.