Arriving at the lake today, in westerly wind and after overnight rain, I spot a flash amongst the reeds at its eastern edge, with a chick or two left behind a retreating female, or maybe male. I assume it is a duck. On first look it seems to be a musk, but I haven’t seen one here in months, and here is something with young. Soon I have lost sight of any movement. But then, out beyond the edges of the rushes, there is the low lying, all-black form, sitting lower in the water than a yet…a female musk duck with two chicks. I remember seeing some here months and months ago, but nothing since. But for this one to have two chicks now it must have been here all this time, likely in a nest undercover, away from prying eyes. 

Later on the walk I’m also surprised to hear the recurring ‘poing’ of the male calling—the sound travelling into the westerly wind with ease. Here this whole time.