Thursday, 24th.4.2024

 Went to the Lower Ressers at Debdale park yesterday to see if any movement on the Heart_Mural, but alas no, weather being the problem no doubt. Then it was on to the lower resser to see how the Great Crested Grebe was doing on her nest.

But when I got there the cupboard was bare so to speak, the nest was empty, and I was a bit sad thinking they had left it because the eggs hadn't hatched!.

Then I saw the pair of them on the other side of the lake.

After I took this picture, I noticed a bit of white on the females back and sat there for a while until the male went off and the female drifted a bit nearer to me.

 and there they were two babies that I could see!.

There might be more on her back, she had 4 babies last year.

Sat there quite a while, but only the two, there again they move about and there could be more and moving round to see out!.

Dad bringing dinner.

Is that for me Dad.

Stop moving about, I'm trying to get 40 winks.

A bit blurred this one, but they are on the other side of the lake.

 Its funny watching the babies, as they crane round mums neck to see there they are going.

 Its funny watching the babies, as they crane round mums neck to see where they are going.

Sorry there are a lot of pictures of them, but they are my favourite birds and how do you delete any of them, they are all beautiful!.

Will check on the progress of the babies over the coming days.

Been to Portland Basin again today, become our favourite place for lunch these days.

Plus my Mate and neighbour, Chris sings there on Thursdays.

Got my Spring covid booster vaccination call this week from the doctors, hard to get a booking though, have to keep ringing round, as the doctors surgery aren't doing them this time, overworked poor things!. 
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Monday, 22nd.

 Monday I set off from home in sunshine to go to Reddish Vale Park, but by the time I got there it was raining again, so being well wrapped up I set off to walk round the two mill ponds.

Birds were glad of the seed as there were no one else about to feed them, spot the Mandarin.

Nice new bench on the lower mill pond.

Spring flowers.

Female swan on her nest.

While the male stood guard.

Though did get out to do a bit of preening, you can see his leg tag as well.

It didn't stop raining, so it was back to the car, opened the hatchback and sat under that.

Got this Coal Tit, only a few feet away.

Also a nice Nuthatch.

  A collared Dove.

A bedraggled Blue Tit. 

Squirrel with a monkey nut.

Then it was off to Morrison's from a hot drink and dry out, sat with 7 ladies as they said it was their table, but I said I was here first and no other tables available, so they would have to suffer me, but I will turn off my hearing aids if it their chat get's too raunchy!. We finished having quite a nice chat in the end, it's true strangers are friends we haven't met yet.

On the way out of the supermarket, whilst at the traffic lights took this picture of the Heart_murals I spoke of in the last post of the old toilets at Reddish near Houldsworth Square.

Back home, goldfinches in the rain.

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They broke the mould when they made Michael Jackson-each time apparently!.

  How did Michael Jackson pick his nose?, from a Catalogue!.

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Friday/Saturday, 20th-21st.

Friday I went over to the Gorton lower ressers to see if any more done on the Heart-mural, but due to the weather no doubt, nothing changed yet.

Then it was round to the nest site of the Great Crested Grebe's, where the female is still sat on the nest with her mate being very attentive.

He kept circling round and round, tidying the nest and bringing new material for it.

Tried to get round the back but nearly fell in!.

Male off to get wifey some dinner.

What you looking at?.

Get that camera out of my face, unless you've got some bread!.

Amazes me that there is litter on the bench there and a bin a few feet away.

Still it's smokers stuff and if they are burning money away, can't have much sense in the first place can they!.

Speed boat on the water.

Then the rain came again, so it was off to The Windmill, it was very nice as usual and all the better because with my appt having the right number of stamps on this time it was FREE!, so only had to pay for the drink.

 We all complain about the price of petrol but have you thought, bottled water and beer are a lot dearer, when you consider the quantity!. 

Saturday, met my friend Jean at The Bridge Café and we had a nice chat and lunch in there.

Not many in on the day as people were enjoying the sunshine no doubt, still we enjoyed it.

Local painters pictures on sale.

Party area.

Outside there were cyclists, mother and boys!.

Yes and it's dog friendly too, inside and out.

So a good weekend with a day in doing jobs on Sunday.
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