Hi all
I went into college today to sort a few things out.
Anyway, I had planned to go and see if I could see the local peregrines after college, however the weather did not look too good.
On the way however I allowed myself at least 10 minutes to check out a flooded field that I have seen on the bus many times, which is only a 100 metres off my route to college.
I knew that there was a footpath off a small industrial estate that would take me close to the fields.
On the water was a coot, with possibly another in the distance or a moorhen, I could not tell as I only had my camera. A drake mallard was out in the open, and I found one or 2 duck mallard with ducklings by some trees, I never got a clear view so I was unable to see the exact numbers. Flying over the water where House martins and swallows, with tits in the bushes. The occasional magpie was around, around along with jackdaws, and woodpigeon. I was surprised to see 2 drake tufted ducks an one duck tufted duck, but it was the small flock of lapwings that caught my attention most.
I then moved round to a carpark by the local volkswagen dealer, where I could get clear views of the entire area. It was clear that with all the dry weather we've had recently a lot of the water had dried up as there was no sgin of the mute swan pair, they must of dediced to move on due to the reduced ammount of water. I don't know If they had a next here, but if they had eggs and/or cygnets they have most likely been abandoned, but then that is the risk of such a large waterbird breeding on a area that is mostly filled by rainwater, hopfully if their is enough rain to get the waterlevel up they will return.
Take care,
I went into college today to sort a few things out.
Anyway, I had planned to go and see if I could see the local peregrines after college, however the weather did not look too good.
On the way however I allowed myself at least 10 minutes to check out a flooded field that I have seen on the bus many times, which is only a 100 metres off my route to college.
I knew that there was a footpath off a small industrial estate that would take me close to the fields.
On the water was a coot, with possibly another in the distance or a moorhen, I could not tell as I only had my camera. A drake mallard was out in the open, and I found one or 2 duck mallard with ducklings by some trees, I never got a clear view so I was unable to see the exact numbers. Flying over the water where House martins and swallows, with tits in the bushes. The occasional magpie was around, around along with jackdaws, and woodpigeon. I was surprised to see 2 drake tufted ducks an one duck tufted duck, but it was the small flock of lapwings that caught my attention most.
I then moved round to a carpark by the local volkswagen dealer, where I could get clear views of the entire area. It was clear that with all the dry weather we've had recently a lot of the water had dried up as there was no sgin of the mute swan pair, they must of dediced to move on due to the reduced ammount of water. I don't know If they had a next here, but if they had eggs and/or cygnets they have most likely been abandoned, but then that is the risk of such a large waterbird breeding on a area that is mostly filled by rainwater, hopfully if their is enough rain to get the waterlevel up they will return.
Take care,
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