2nd February 2012, several Mallard ducks on the main pond at Brickfields Meadow.
But the small pond has remained ice free. one Mallard feeding.
A Grey Heron watching the main pond, but ice will stop it fishing.
their time darting in and out of the plants.
The pond is ice free again, several Mallards feeding.
8th March 2012, a pair of ducks swimming rapidly our way looking for food.
The stream and bridge between the large and small ponds in Brickfields Meadow, Coots looking for food.
One Mallard is happy to fed on the grass.
Another angle of the stream from the bridge. Vegetation has been heavily cut back during the winter.
15th March 2012, a pair of Canada Geese, only seen them on two visits this year, last year they were here for weeks.
Mallards and Coots on the small pond, several nest hidden here.
Mallards spend a lot of their time out of the water.
The Mallard is not pleased the goose is looking for her food.
Coots chasing each other around on the small pond.
which are possibly where their three mates are nesting. Might see ducklings in late April.
Fishermen are starting to visit the pond again now the weather is warmer.
4th May 2012, a pair of Canada Geese have returned to the pond, looking for food.
Coots and Mallards also looking for food.
Only saw a single female Mallard this visit, hopefully one or two others are sitting on nests.
crossing. Never seen the water level this high before, it can not be draining away. But very good news for the fish in the pond.
And here is the Coot nest, in the reeds. No geese nests to raid for branches and twigs here.
On the main pond, a second Coot family with two more chicks.
Only a single pair of Mallards on the pond, Coot family by the far bank. no ducklings and no other males so probably no nests.
slowly across the water heading for bread we've put in the water.
on the small pond, but no Mallard ducklings yet.
13th June 2012, the pond is very quiet, just a single Mallard, although his mate might be sitting on nest.
At least two families of Coots, the parents each feeding a chick.
Another Coot family on the small pond.
seen here in clear water, usually it looks like mud.
yards away is a Mallard family.
Not expecting ducklings this late, so not very food to give them.
weeks old, again very late in the season, but it has been a late summer.
Just a little bread left for them. But they were feeding them selves which is good.
three ducklings arrives from the other end of the pond.
To join the younger family of six ducklings. Brought lots of food for them this week.
The family of six ducklings watched by mother, maybe three weeks old.
Two Moorhens are waiting for the ducks to leave, an adult foreground and chick behind.
Lunch over, the duck family resumes patrolling the small pond.
Over on the large pond, Coots and Moorhens.
24th August 2012, one single Mallard and some coots on the small pond.
this week, they may have been sleeping somewhere or hiding on the main pond from all the fishermen.
September 2012, all the Mallards are on the main pond today, mother and her four ducklings, presumably not yet flying.
Joined by the second Mallard family.
Really very busy for September, Coots and Moorhens as well as the Mallards, normally they have left by now.
Canada Geese are occasional visitors to the pond.
27th September 2012, we only find Moorhens on the pond today.
10th October 2012, but two weeks later the Mallard family is here again, arriving from the other end of the small pond.
Two adult boys and a Coot, more behind the reeds, not usually this busy outside the breeding season.
hopefully other Moorhens will find it later.
With just a few Moorhens on the small pond.