Slipstreaming

Mother duck mallard has just one tiny little duckling, a little easier to keep an eye on than a whole brood of them. We did wonder what might have become of the others though, for there surely must have been many others. Perhaps her nest was swamped when river levels rose after the rain earlier in the week, and this little fellow was the only one who survived.

On the theme of little birds, there has been no sign of the young hapless blackbirds this afternoon. I'm not sure whether that is good or bad.

Then there is Reg. After me saying we were getting quicker at finding him in the garden, this evening we have failed to locate him. I am trying not to do the anxious parent bit, it's not going to be too cold tonight. Tomorrow we shall have to try and tempt him from his hiding place with his favourite food - cherry tomatoes. It's about time we tried one of the many suggestions that have been made to make him more conspicuous.