A visit to Snekkestaddammen (lake) near Holmestrand on 18th May to see if the Ferruginous Duck could still be present proved negative but worth the visit anyway to check on the breeding Eurasian Moorhen's. There was plenty of activity on and around the lake in addition to two moorhens and included several Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula and a feeding Grey Heron Ardea cinerea . Herons often prey on the moorhen hatchlings here, however it was presumably too early for these yet, but several Mallard pulli and goldeneye pulli were already swimming on the lake, closely guarded followed by their respective mothers. One female Common Goldeneye was continuously chased by an adult male while its four pulli scuttled away to hide in the vegetation, which was almost an invitation to the watchful Grey Heron. Another female Common Goldeneye was not attacked and presumably was paired to the aggressive male, although no indication that this bird had young was observed. There is often something interesting to see and photograph at this picturesque lake.
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Common Goldeneye adult male chasing away another female - Snekkestaddammen, 18th May 2020
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| Common Goldeneye adult male chasing away another female - Snekkestaddamen, 18th May 2020 |
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| Common Goldeneye adult male chasing away another female, while another female looks on - Snekkestaddammen, 18th May 2020 |
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Eurasian Moorhen adult - Snekkestaddammen, 18th May 2020
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| Grey Heron adult - Snekkestaddammen, 18th May 2020 |
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| Grey Heron adult - Snekkestaddammen, 18th May 2020 |
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| White Wagtail adult - Snekkestaddammen, 18th May 2020 |
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