Second Broods

Now is the time that two species of birds of the Pennine streams have their second broods. Both Kingfishers and Dippers managed to rear their first young without a drop of rain falling on them. For their second attempts the weather has not been as kind and one of my Kingfisher nests failed after a dramatic thunderstorm – the flood-water coming down the stream was ten foot above normal and the Kingfishers nest-hole was only three foot above normal water levels. Disaster ensued with all the young drowning. Thankfully the Kingfishers take it all in their stride by clearing out the nest-chamber and laying again! Lets hope that there is no repeat performance. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife