Mikepércs: Lapwing Chicks

I've visited the pond again today.

The sun isn't rising yet, but the young wagtails are already flying around my hide hunting for insects.

A bit later the first sunbeams enlighten them beautifully:

Young White Wagtail

Young White Wagtail

Young White Wagtail

Young White Wagtail

Ducks aren't coming, lapwings neither ... or do they? A lapwing is approaching in the thick vegetation, but something else is also there! I notice two largish chicks, one of them just coming out from the undergrowth:

Young Lapwing

They make their way towards the water. After having spent some time there, they return. For my greatest pleasure they come close to my hide:

Young Lapwing

This chick must have been on a muddy place having bits of mud hanging from its plumage:

Young Lapwing

The other one appears too, but it's not as dirty as its sibling:

Young Lapwing

Then they disappear in the undergrowth.
Meanwhile a little ringed plover spends a few moments in front of me:

Little Ringed Plover

This parent follows its chicken attentively in the vegetation:

Lapwing

Later a roe deer appears on the quiet walking to the water where she drinks, ...:

European Roe Deer

... then turns back ...:

European Roe Deer

... to return into the underbush. The wind direction is good, she hasn't notice me. This is the first time I've taken photos of a roe deer from my hide.
A young white wagtail is preening a while in front of me before it flies away, ...:

Young White Wagtail

... then a moorhen is having a good bath near the hide, however the lights falling upon it are too ugly for a good shot. So I leave the hide soon.

Mikepércs: The Gadwall Returns

Having met the moorhens last time I expected them again this morning.
What I didn't expect was 3 black-winged stilt eggs in a tidy nest just a few meters from my hide!
Shall I leave or shall I stay now? Being curious and having prepared for a good photography I decided to stay and got into the hide quickly.
The couple of stilts return soon they are searching in the shallow water. I'm a bit worried about the eggs being left so long there, however they don't seem to be troubled about that.
After some time one of them brings itself to get on the eggs, but after 10-15 minutes it leaves the nest to feed again.
Meanwhile the mallards arrive, two avocets appear on the water, a couple of little ringed plovers are picking on the shore then a common redshank is having a bath near the hide. One of the little ringed plovers starts preening shaking its plumage sometimes:

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

It flies further a bit, ...:

Little Ringed Plover

... then it stretches its wings:

Little Ringed Plover

Later one of the stilts returns to the nest, but doesn't stay long this time either.
Meantime one of the mallards is stretching:

Mallard (male)

Soon the gadwall lands, and I'm glad to see it!
It's preening a little, ...:

Gadwall (male)

Gadwall (male)

... then it's having a long rest.
Look! This avocets is dealing with a nest too!

Avocet

But it leaves the nest and runs away:

Avocet

This time the moorhens don't come forward, I can see only one of them running at about 20 meters from my hide.
One of the stilts is getting on the eggs again and this time remains there.
Later the clouds arrive and it starts raining:

Mallard (male)

The gadwall gets up and does some exercises, ...:

Gadwall (male)

Gadwall (male)

Gadwall (male)

Gadwall (male)

Gadwall (male)

... then it leaves soon.
The rain starts again after a short pause. I'm waiting for the rain to abate then I leave quicly. Unfortunately I make the brooding stilt leave, but I hope it will be back soon. Then I won't disturb them again. However I'm not sure they will brood successfully as I've seen already a few devastated nests nearby an foxes as well!

Mikepércs: Quarreling AvocetsAnd Ruffs

At dawn I got into my hide at the pond with excitement. It was cloudy a bit, so the lights came later, but they didn't get so strong.
The avocets are still dominant at the pond, and there are less redshanks.
This bird is arranging its resting place:

Avocet

Soon a flock of ruffs are coming, but they are landing a bit far.
Quarrels are going on between the avocets:

Avocets

A quiet couple:

Avocets

Preponderance:

Avocets

A couple of little ringed plovers are nearby as well, they are either feeding or running after each other like some rolling balls.

Little Ringed Plover

Obviously the nesting is in avocets' mind. They are sitting among tussocks, placing small twigs around them and deepening the place under themselves with their legs:

Avocet

Avocet

The little sullen:

Little Ringed Plover

From time to time the male ruffs are chasing each other and hurtling:

Male Ruffs

Ruff (female)

Ruff (male)

Little Ringed Plover

A black-winged stilt is walking in with its funny long legs, ...:

Black-winged Stilt

... then it's shaking itself:

Black-winged Stilt

Another conflict:

Avocets

The male ruffs are getting more and more often in front of the hide:

Ruff (male)

Ruff (male)

Ruff (male)

Avocet

Ruff

Ruff (male)

A white collared male:

Ruff (male)

Black-winged Stilt

Chasing:

Avocet

Avocet

Black-winged Stilt

Ruff (female)

Ruff (male)

Ruff (male)

Snoozing:

Avocet

Avocet

Avocet

Preening:

Little Ringed Plover

Avocet

Periodically a hooded crow flies above the pond. On these occasions the avocets are taking off and air defence begins. They are chasing the intruder, wich gives up quite hardly. I don't know why is it attacking, there are no eggs or hatchlings yet. Then I can see the crow chasing a young magpie as well which hides in the bushes nearby.
I'm very satisfied with today's results, this place is great.