No Cigar

My little grebe or dabchick was trundling round with this reed stem in its mouth, for what reason I have no idea. Could it be a late Valentine gift for his beloved or the start of the nest building construction? 

The favourite food for the little grebe is sticklebacks though they like shrimps, dragonfly nymphs, water beetles and other insects. He had spent a good deal of time catching small fish which proved entertaining with no otters to look at.

A lull in the wind here meant the hide had stopped rocking and there was a glimmer of sun breaking through the clouds though not for long. The water kept being whipped up with the reeds bending towards the lake but luckily for me it was a west wind and inside the hide was toasty even with the weather. 

The hospital rang numerous times from Wakefield with updates and prognostications on dad who was admitted earlier this week. Unfortunately we kept getting cut off which made the whole thing a trifle frustrating for both parties. He will be discharged soon.

No otters in sight today which is what I'd gone to Kemerton Lake to see which was disappointing having ploughed my way through mud to get to the hide and afterwards I trotted the dogs to the vets for their kennel cough vaccine.  Boot cleaning in order for tonight I feel! 

As for yesterdays conundrum; it was a squash - six months old and have kept all of them to see what happens.