A very remarkable bird

Some years ago whilst visiting RSPB Dinas in late May, we were lucky enough to watch a Goosander leap down from a hole in a tree, several metres above the ground, followed by her brood of ducklings. They all survived the drop ad then she led them down to the fast flowing brook.

Cheers!

Ian

Incubation rehearsal?

Still looks quite happy.

It doesn't like to have its space invaded too closely, and, like Nick,  I've seen it have a snap at other birds - especially  b-h gulls and feral pigeons (which it seems to loathe).

They nest in holes in trees which explains its readiness to climb.

Apparently, in Oslo, some birds consort readily with mallard (as at Cleethorpes boating lake) and even supplement their diet with bread thrown into the water. Norwegian birders attribute this to some goosander ducklings accidentally ending up with mallard broods  and growing up thinking  they are mallard.   

Strange behaviour. I have watched this bird every morning since first seeing it a couple of weeks ago. It certainly gets upto some odd antics. I watched it the other day waddling through the reed bed booms, picking things of the side bladders, then later it was rummaging through the leaves around the Discovery centre.
I hope it is finding enough food. It seems healthy enough, and spends a fair amount of time grooming, but wonder why it is still here. 

First time I've seen a goosander mimic the behaviour of woodpecker.