Tales of the Riverbank

Dave, one of the Wolseley Centre Wildlife Reserve helpers was asked a couple of weeks ago if we had "water rats" around the place.  He was tempted to say, "just drop the first word" but thought better of it.

This youngster was helping himself underneath the bird feeders outside the bird hide.

Sad news about one of the kingfishers.  Nobody has seen the female for quite a few weeks, certainly since the youngsters had left the nest. About a week ago, feathers were found near the riverbank. There was not enough to be certain that it was the female, but we are horribly afraid that it was.  A sparrowhawk perhaps ?  Possibly an otter - but there is very little that is fast enough.

What will happen next year ?  Will our male find a new female and bring her to his territory ? Or will he leave in search of a new mate ?  Time will tell.