Sunday 8 July 2012

Flood Update

As yesterdays photo shows, Houghton Washlands was flooded after Edderthorpe and the complete field and maize crop is now under water - this could bode well for the autumn if it doesn't flood again. The 2 adult Oystercatchers are still around but no sign of their chick which has presumably perished. Better news for a couple of Lapwing broods though, a brood of 3 half-grown young and a brood of 2 almost fledged young have survived.
At Edderthorpe Flash which is full to capacity, the river level has fallen substantially and hopefully we'll be able to start draining off soon.
Birds;- a noticeable decrease in most waterfowl particularly weed-feeders. Both Mute Swan and Coot numbers have halved, down to 15 and 67 respectively. Mallard 65, Gadwall 17, Tufted 56, Pochard 5, Great Crested Grebe 1, Little Grebe 2, Cormorant 3, Redshank 2, Curlew 1 and Common Sand 3.

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