There are too many rosy-billed pochards in the pond. This individual is changing into the adult male plumage. His eyes are already red and it is painting black. He is certainly one of the too many ducklings we saw born in the reserve.
What a surprise it was to receive Nicolas's photo of February 11th showing the six ducklings still alive. They were alone and he says they moved very cautiously. We looked for them on Saturday 13th but could not find them. Bad sign? If anyone finds them, please let us know
These six ducklings appeared without their mother. They tried to join a family a ringed teals, but the adults rejected them.
We stayed a long while to see if they were accepted, but they were adrift. Though ducklings are not fed by their parents, these lead them to the feeding grounds and protect them. Small as they are, they become easy preys.
The most abundant duck of the reserve. I counted 20 in only one of the groups in the pond