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RSPB Middleton Lakes (3 Viewers)

Is it the RSPB who are saying that the north part of the reserve will be closed for 6 months?

Cheers
Steve

It wasn't the RSPB who told me,but I said in my post that the contractors are here for 6 months but that doesn't necessary mean that the north pit would be off limits all the time, you could ask the RSPB what's happening, I did email them a while back but have heard nothing. You could also check their website.
I've noticed that a new ditch has been dug into the north pit so at the moment it would be impossible to do a complete circular walk.
Geoff
 
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It wasn't the RSPB who told me,but I said in my post that the contractors are here for 6 months but that doesn't necessary mean that the north pit would be off limits all the time, you could ask the RSPB what's happening, I did email them a while back but have heard nothing. You could also check their website.
I've noticed that a new ditch has been dug into the north pit so at the moment it would be impossible to do a complete circular walk.
Geoff

Thanks Geoff, I'l try and get over there in the next couple of days - I'm in Lincolnshire at the moment. I'll also see if I can get a bit more info from RSPB. The new ditch sounds interesting, does it link in to the North Pit or is it somewhere else?

Regards
Steve
 
Thanks Geoff, I'l try and get over there in the next couple of days - I'm in Lincolnshire at the moment. I'll also see if I can get a bit more info from RSPB. The new ditch sounds interesting, does it link in to the North Pit or is it somewhere else?

Regards
Steve
Hi Steve,
The new ditch is simply to remove water from the pools further south of the north pit.
At the moment vehicle access to the central workings for the contractors is up by Fishers Mill Pool and the new reedbed pool so there is no problem in using the west track to the north pit but I suppose things could change at any time.
This afternoon there was a Shelduck on the north pit and 3 Goosander on the river, also there was a small murmuration of Starlings at Fishers Mill Pool being disturbed by a Sparrowhawk, they all put on a good show until dusk especially when they flew low overhead.
Geoff
 
4/11/12 The North Pit is looking ideal for waders at the moment! The water level is really low and so there is large areas of mud showing. Saying that I didn't see any waders this evening other than the usual: 6 Little Egret, 50 Lapwing and 3 or 4 Heron, also 100 Greylag (including what looks like a Barnacle hybrid that has been present before), and plenty of Shoveler. At dusk there was a murmuration of Starlings with probably around 1000 birds, so it seems to have built up from when Geoff saw it.

All the best

Steve
 
Waders

4/11/12 The North Pit is looking ideal for waders at the moment! The water level is really low and so there is large areas of mud showing. Saying that I didn't see any waders this evening other than the usual: 6 Little Egret, 50 Lapwing and 3 or 4 Heron, also 100 Greylag (including what looks like a Barnacle hybrid that has been present before), and plenty of Shoveler. At dusk there was a murmuration of Starlings with probably around 1000 birds, so it seems to have built up from when Geoff saw it.

All the best

Steve

Wader passage is all but over, main time is Spring ( for RSPB Middleton Lakes) then Autumn, Dunlin may stop and asssociate in with wintering Lapwings a Ruff or a Knot if you are lucky.
If the RSPB can control the water levels and drop it like that in Spring any passage waders would find it irresistible.

Regards, John
 
Wader passage is all but over, main time is Spring ( for RSPB Middleton Lakes) then Autumn, Dunlin may stop and asssociate in with wintering Lapwings a Ruff or a Knot if you are lucky.
If the RSPB can control the water levels and drop it like that in Spring any passage waders would find it irresistible.

Regards, John

Hi John,
Yeah it would be great if they would control the water levels, I doubt it but we'll see.
Regards
Steve
 
If they are not able to alleviate the water levels for passage and breeding birds then it poses serious questions for the establishment of the reserve in the first place, i would have thought?

I have'nt been for over a year due to the water levels, mud and mess but these things take time. What sort of work are the current heavy equipment undertaking?

Laurie :t:
 
Lifeline for Lapwings Project.

If they are not able to alleviate the water levels for passage and breeding birds then it poses serious questions for the establishment of the reserve in the first place, i would have thought?

I have'nt been for over a year due to the water levels, mud and mess but these things take time. What sort of work are the current heavy equipment undertaking?

Laurie :t:
Hi Laurie,
Nick Martin of the RSPB has just put details on the RSPB Midd Lakes blog, see Lifeline for Lapwings Project.
Geoff
 
If they are not able to alleviate the water levels for passage and breeding birds then it poses serious questions for the establishment of the reserve in the first place, i would have thought?

I have'nt been for over a year due to the water levels, mud and mess but these things take time. What sort of work are the current heavy equipment undertaking?

Laurie :t:

Hi Laurie, Today and earlier this week there are 3 JCB's present, they are working in the NE corner they are emptying pools sloping banks re-profiling and building islands all to plans. So a long job, the company doing the work specialise in ponds and water features.

Regards, John
 
Hi Laurie, Today and earlier this week there are 3 JCB's present, they are working in the NE corner they are emptying pools sloping banks re-profiling and building islands all to plans. So a long job, the company doing the work specialise in ponds and water features.

Regards, John

I've got my monthly Volunteer Warden duty at Middleton Lakes on Monday morning, quite looking forward to seeing what's been done so far, even if there is still plenty to do yet.
 
Hi Laurie, Today and earlier this week there are 3 JCB's present, they are working in the NE corner they are emptying pools sloping banks re-profiling and building islands all to plans. So a long job, the company doing the work specialise in ponds and water features.

Regards, John

any photos of the work? sounds like a big job
 
I do'nt suppose the work will make much difference to people walking down from the canal? Just park up and have a look at that part of the reserve from there? After all, it can't be much different from visiting it when it was a working sand and gravel pit? It can't be that busy on Saturday afternoons and Sunday surely?

JHDraytonbassettpits - free up your inbox i can't reply to your PM..........

Laurie:t:
 
RSPB Middleton lakes

I do'nt suppose the work will make much difference to people walking down from the canal? Just park up and have a look at that part of the reserve from there? After all, it can't be much different from visiting it when it was a working sand and gravel pit? It can't be that busy on Saturday afternoons and Sunday surely?

JHDraytonbassettpits - free up your inbox i can't reply to your PM..........

Laurie:t:

Hi Laurie, It appears they have blocked it at the southern end (track by canal) because peoople on reaching the north pit will try then to do the circular walk rather than back track. For most people it would be O.K to walk down the track to the north pit then back track, but there is always someone who would not do this.

Regards, John
 

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