The Life Of Birds 9. Problems Of Parenthood (9 of 15)

The Life Of Birds

The racing water might seem to pose even greater problems than the slippery rocks.
But the ducklings are so buoyant that they float on the surface, and are in no danger of drowning.
Nor are they swept away, for, miraculously, they know instinctively how to shelter in the eddies in the lee of a boulder.
And once launched, they, too, can feed for themselves.
Summer on the Arctic tundra.
Brent geese came up here a few weeks ago, to feed on the newly-sprouting vegetation and to nest.
Now their offspring have hatched.
They too will have to face a dangerous journey before they can feed.
This pair built their nest within a few yards of a snowy owl's nest.

That was good sense, for ground-nesting birds here are likely to be attacked by foxes.
0wls are quite prepared to tackle foxes.
And so they seldom venture near.
While they were incubating, the geese benefited greatly by nesting beside such a powerful neighbours, but now their eggs are hatching and that will change things.
0wls feed on lemmings.
And lemmings are about the same size as goslings.
Somehow, these little creatures will have to avoid becoming one more meal for a hungry owl But they must leave their nest if they are not to starve.
Their parents are well aware of the danger.