Little Tuftie

These youngsters are a very dark brown and can be quite hard to spot when the water is very murky.

I couldn't quite work out the family relationships today. One Tuftie chick was sticking very close to a female Mallard, then one Tuftie mum appeared with 8 chicks .... three were obviously Tufties, four looked like Mallard chicks and then there was one golden one which I suspect was also a Mallard.

The Heron was skulking in the reeds. I stood for a few minutes and the Heron didn't move ..... I've kept my fingers crossed that all the little ones are safe but I'm not too hopeful.

Off to Fife tomorrow for 10 days or so and will catch up on the chicks when I come home.