Pochard

[2dogs2000]

We have a manmade lake in our town which is very popular with everyone. As I drove past it on Thursday I saw a cormorant on it for the very first time (I know I should watch the driving). I was unable to visit the lake on Friday but I went today with my camera and the cormorants were gone. Apparently the fisherman had chased them away with their catapults.
I was however very surprised when I saw two Pochards on the lake as this is also a first. I took a couple of photos of the pochards and left. When I got home I discovered that both pochards were male (in my ignorance I thought it was a pair) and I will have to take another trip to see if there are any females.




Weather wise it has been wet and miserable but the pochards have cheered me up.

[leifus]

really good photo and I hope you find some females!

[demicav]

Nice pic.

[aeshna5]

Nice photo. Often the females winter further south than the males.

At Welney there are often several hundred drakes but only a handful of the girls, though around London the numbers don't show the same pronounced bias in the sex ratio.

[Sue2]

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

When I got home I discovered that both pochards were male (in my ignorance I thought it was a pair) and I will have to take another trip to see if there are any females.

Weather wise it has been wet and miserable but the pochards have cheered me up.

It isn't ignorance when you make a mistake while learning, it's from such times that we learn most. Be glad at the sighting and thrilled with your finds!

Sadly with the cormorants, fishermen will do that, one of the times that nature and man conflict! PS. Beautiful photo!