Fred the Greater Yellowlegs Returns

Fred the greater yellowlegs returned to Lake Murray to fatten up for his long trip to the far north.  These birds nest just south of the tundra line.  Fred loves the little minnow fishes in the lake and the flies along the shore.  

The phoebes have a new, completed nest and I think they have eggs in it, too.

Mom phoebe was very upset that about 40 grackles and blackbirds were hanging around the roof above her nest.

Dad wasn't too happy about it, either:

Spoonface says hello and that he still has that orange ring around his neck.  You can see it under his feathers.  He still doesn't have his main primary feather on one side, so he still can't fly off.

The scaups are leaving, but a few are hanging around hoping to fatten up on some human-fed treats before they migrate.  Though they don't fly as far north as the yellowlegs, they do have a long ways to go to get to their breeding grounds.

Sorry about the next photo, but I thought this duck was cool.  He looks a lot like Buffy, but more mallardish.  I'm betting he's one of Buffy's many offspring.

Killdeerland:

I came across a weird sight early in the morning.  Shy's mate seemed to be protecting a chick.  I only hear one chick nearby and he was emphatic about protecting it.  I wonder if he adopted the Mom and Dad's lone egg and are raising the one chick.

Junior doing a good job at hiding from me.  I didn't even see him until I was really close.  He needs to quit this act because, one day, I am going to step on him.

Squeak's dilemma:

Squeak (George's daughter) was seen with a brand new male.  He looked like ones I've seen in the Mission Bay and San Diego River areas of San Diego.

Squeak

Here is the new beau:

I think this is George III who was Squeak's closest friend and nephew.  He seems a little put-out now.

In geese news, Louie won't leave Jill alone and follows her around, constantly.  She doesn't like him at all and tries to stay near her Canada goose friend who does little to protect her.

Also, the dove's nest I saw last time is no more.  I don't know what happened to it.

'Til next time!

Poor Tiny, you must leave home now

Time for Tiny to go

The killdeer are back and they seem to be gearing up for the winter breeding season. Already, young males are beginning to spar and older couples are returning to their former breeding grounds.

The friendly killdeer, possibly Surprise

I'm not sure who this young male is

I think this is the M6 mom

In George's feeding area, Tiny is getting the boot from mom and dad. Both parents are puffing up and trilling at him when he comes too close. George is being very gentle, but firm. Occasionally, he will walk up to Tiny, do a small scrape in the ground, and sit on it as if it was a nest. He seemed to be saying that he's ready to nest again and wants Tiny to stay away as he may be a threat to the new chicks.

Mom, Martha, comes up to "talk" to Tiny

Poor Tiny, he really seems to want to be with his parents, but tries to keep his distance and is beginning to get the message to stay away from them. I don't know what happened to Tiny's mate, so it's likely that Tiny will join the group of bachelor males that fly around harassing the territory owners and trying to steal their mates.

Dad, George, and Tiny have a "discussion".

Last year, George and Martha laid eggs around the beginning of February and Junior and Mary were probably hatched in early March.

Ducks and Geese:

I didn't see Cinnamon and the large crested mallard duck today, but I did see the rest of the males that were competing for her. I think she has finally chosen her mate and is off for some alone time with him. I did not see her today.

Those geese in the M4 area are getting even more aggressive and are hissing at me. It's not personal, they are that way with everyone. I did find a way to make peace with them. Find some ducks and start throwing food to the ducks and these geese will immediately change their attitude. I need to be able to get to that area to see which killdeer are going to breed there, so I should make sure I have treats when I go to that area from now on.