Now we have 3 species of Harriers for the year with a beautiful male Hen Harrier over Dosthill NR and Jubilee wetlands before heading towards the Hall this afternoon, also a juvenile Marsh Harrier was over North Pit (there has been a female Marsh Harrier around also).A first for the region - a female Pallid Harrier - spent its second day today hunting over the reserve.
I've only been there once this year so I can't comment on the success or failure of breeding waders but I did see a report from yesterday saying " redshank and avocet conspicuous by their absence ". From what I believe the lagoons are all linked to the River Tame by a sluice gate as part of a flood alleviation scheme under the control of the Environment Agency ,not the RSPB. It's part of the planning permission for the whole site. So it's completely in the lap of the gods whether the weather inundates the islands in the crucial breeding season months. It might be possible to isolate Jubilee Wetlands and raise the water level in the other pits but that might have the effect of flooding the paths.For those that have visited recently, as May is a washout to put it politely and mildly - what is the current situation with previous ‘water management’ issues i.e. has anything bred or is it knee-deep in dead Gull and wader chicks?
Laurie -