Chris and Barry helped Nick mow a decent section of the seawall end of the heliport site yesterday to facilitate roosting when birds displaced from the seawall by wave actions. The conditions were atrocious yet they persisted to get most of the job done in a torrential downpour and strong winds. Thanks very much for doing this. There is a small amount of raking needed - if anyone is able to do this please contact Pete.
There was about 12 snipe and otherwise just a Greenfinch flock
This is one of Howard's shots from earlier this week It is looking over the Near Naze towards the south Lakes |
Back to today....
Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)
Just a quick check of the two main ponds, both now ice free, but the "no swimming" pond is 1m above its normal maximum height. The water level is maintained by a sensor and pump and each winter it seems reluctant to kick in for the first time. At the moment it is much too deep for the dabbling ducks and there was no divers today either.
The main pond was only sparsely populated too
Mute Swan pair plus 8 immature
Gadwall 2
Moorhen 2
Coot 3
South shore (MD)
Just a walk along the south sea wall.
Shelduck 60
Wigeon c300 - they like to freshen up in the freshwater runoff at Red Nab. You can see where the expression "water off a ducks back" comes from.
North shore (MD)
Pale-bellied Brent geese 11 at least out from the play area, seen from Whinnysty Lane