|
Whist appreciating the opportunistic nature of Carrion Crows, I was nonetheless interested to record one taking fish from my garden pond. I have seen an occasional crow drinking at the water's edge in the past, or searching amongst the aquatic vegetation in the shallows, but I had always assumed that frogs, newts or water insects were the main intention of the foraging bird.
Last week, when the young were fledged, there was an unknown number of incursions into the pond by at least one of the adult birds. The pond is not visible from the house, so I am unsure of the regularity of visits, but on two occasions I did see an adult beating a three inch long rudd against a stone seat before returning to waiting young birds in nearby trees. I suspect that visits were quite frequent as the fish became less enthusiastic at feeding times, but attacks seem to have ceased now as the fish have become less wary again over the past few days.
The rudd were introduced as a source of food for Herons and Little Egrets and indeed anything which may wish to exploit them. Their breeding rate, hiding places and deep water in parts ensures their self-sustainability and only this morning I flushed a Little Egret from the shallows.
|
Login
FAQ
Search
