Reaching the pond at the end of ul. Trombity, I spotted a large number - larger than I'd ever seen in Poland. In the shot below, you can see seven - there were three to the right of this frame, two to the left 12 in total, six pairs. A massive number for a bird that numbers around 8,000 breeding pairs in Poland.
Numbers are rising across Europe, which is good news. Greylag females lay up to 20 eggs, so let's hope there will many goslings on our ponds this spring! Below: here's a pair on the water, captured by our neighbour Tomek (thanks!)
Below: I snapped this pair with the superzoom on my Nikon Coolpix P900 in April 2017. They came, had a look around, and flew off.
Goose-stepping like the East Germany army, a trio of domestic geese (Anser domesticus) guard their territory (around the corner from ulica Buszycka) well.
Back to the pond. Left: a male common pochard (głowienka zwyczajna), one of several pochards I have seen this year. There were none last year: the water levels on the ponds were far lower than this year or 2019. My first sighting of this species in Jeziorki was in 2017, a veritable annus mirabilis for waterfowl around here. I have yet to see any grebes here this year, either the great crested grebe (perkoz dwuczuby) or the black-necked grebe (perkoz zausznik). Regular ducks (mallards), coots and black-faced gulls are here, but then they are perennial denizens of our waters.
The swans are back too - last year the same pair that have been coming here to breed every season since 2008 returned, but there were no cygnets to be seen - whether the habitat wasn't right (low water) or they're just getting old, I don't know. They are currently engaged in nest-building on the far side of the middle pond, much further from the footpath than last year.
Ringed swans have a yellow plastic tag on their right leg leg and a metal one on the left leg. This individual looks like he has the metal tag H774 (so yellow tag 2KC1). If it is, then it's the old cob who's no stranger to these parts, a 13th season.
This time two years ago:
Easter in Ealing
This time five years ago:
WiFi works on Polish train shock
This time six years ago:
My dream camera, just around the corner
[No, the Nikon Z6/Z7 don't make the grade]
This time eight year ago:
Longer, lighter lens
This time nine years ago:
New engine on the coal train
This time ten years ago
High time to leave the car at home
This time 11 years ago:
The answer to urban commuting
This time 14 years ago:
Far away across the fields
Easter in Ealing
This time five years ago:
WiFi works on Polish train shock
This time six years ago:
My dream camera, just around the corner
[No, the Nikon Z6/Z7 don't make the grade]
This time eight year ago:
Longer, lighter lens
This time nine years ago:
New engine on the coal train
This time ten years ago
High time to leave the car at home
This time 11 years ago:
The answer to urban commuting
This time 14 years ago:
Far away across the fields
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