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| I forgot I took this pic. on Sunday! the finished pond including water :-) |
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
December 6th
I was at the castle for 7.30am, there was a light frost with small patches of white on a few scattered areas, apart from being cooler than of late it was looking like it was going to be a nice bright day. The first stirrings I heard, along with the BLACKBIRDS and ROBINS, were a few GOLDFINCHES in the hedge chattering away to themselves. A few FIELDFARES went over and 15 flew up from the hedge by the veg garden, followed by a couple PIED WAGTAILS from the field behind the hedge. REDPOLLS were buzzing overhead and just a single LINNET called as it went over. As I made my way to the lake, a scan across the valley produced 3 COMMON GULLS and a BLACK HEADED GULL over the fields, a KESTREL hovered a couple of times lit by the early rays of sun. The lake appeared empty but a fleet footed bird ran for cover in the reeds, just giving me enough time to pick out a longish bill and a white undertail, it was nice to see the WATER RAIL back, hopefully it will give a few better views over the course of the winter. With only 40 minutes available for the whole visit I headed back, there were now another 16 BLACK HEADED GULLS over the fields and 2 TREECREEPERS shot across in front me by the moat. 34 species for the walk was again satisfying as I wasn't sure if I would get out at all today.
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10 comments:
Nice pond there Alan - what do you think they'll do on the muddy perimeter?
Glad you got out mate.
Not a bad morning given the time you were out Alan, I wondered what you had done with the pond photos and now I know. !!
Hi Christian, I'm hoping to talk to the warden soon he has asked what I think. Maybe a bit of phragmites and some different types of marsh grass but I'll let you know what the trust decide.
Hi Mike, I was going to post this without any photos, then realised the pics were still on the camera!! I was pleased to see the Rail.
Alan ,
Meant to ask last time re. the pond , is it in the field on the right as you drive towards the car park ? Also , was it lined or puddled , or was the ground naturally suitable , being as the lakes are quite close ?
Hi Greenie, the pond is in the field to left of the bridleway that runs down from the left hand side of the veg garden as you look across the valley, it used to be a cover field for pheasants up until a few years ago. It's just puddled at the moment, I think a land drain empties there and if it doesn't fill sufficiently they might re-direct run off from the veg garden. I'm looking forward to it getting established.
I can see you picking up the odd wader on that pond Alan :-) Oh for a nice pond here.
As for the Water rail, wow, only ever seen one once here!
Hi Warren, if it pulls just one extra species I'll be delighted, it should be good for Dragonflies etc. I'm quite excited!!
The Water Rail seems to come back most winters certainly for the last 4 or 5 years and is a real bonus!
Very nice idea! i will like to see in your blog how it goes.....those things that give extra good habitat are really important for wildlife!!
Saludos
That is a pond, well, it looks like a puddle, lol.
Hi El Campero Inquieto, it will be interesting, I hope it fills up by the spring.
Hi Bob, it is a bit of a puddle at the moment, fingers crossed that it grows a bit :-)
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