Whilst we are fortunate not to suffer the same devastation as Cumbria and other areas, the river Severn has burst its banks in a few places! One is a field called 'paradise field' in Atcham which is a natural flood plain! I stopped on the way to work Thursday (19th) morning to take a few 'record' shots as the river had not long 'overflowed':
There were a few Canada geese, crows, a LBB gull and plenty of BH gulls! These gulls were constantly dipping into the water and grabbing things! Out of all the pics I took though, none were close enough to give enough detail as to what they were all catching! Was is baby fish? Earthworms? Other grubs, leatherjackets or caterpillars forced out of the ground? Whatever they were, the gulls were doing very well with them!!
I stopped again Friday morning for a few more shots as it was looking quite different!
Didn't get to stop this morning on the way past although it looked pretty much the same as it did Friday, but with all the water to come down from north Wales yet, I think it may get higher yet! Fortunately this doesn't affect anyone apart from all the undergound critters of course....
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Great photos MarJus. As you say it is fortunate that no humans are affected and I daresay the gulls etc. are welcoming the additional feast. I hope that the levels return to normal before long though, both for the underground creatures and those trees which are now up to their ankles in water.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Hi MarJus
Your pictures show how things have changed so quickly in a few days. Flood plain it is, and it serves it purpose as so.
Bedford has a large flood plain, and there have been one or two 'massive' floodings and the water subsides once more. Wonder where the water goes in the natural way of things?
The birds are making short work of all the 'beasties' that would have drowned in the deludge. Wonder what the mature trees think of getting a lot of watering at one time.
I feel for all concerned with Cumbria at the moment and it is such a tragedy to lose so much is a short space of time. The historical influence will take a lot of rebuilding once more.
Anyway hope that everyone is safe that is the main thing.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Anyone have any thoughts as to what the BH gulls were catching?
hi MarJus
I thought The BHG's are eating slugs, as they can get quite big. The sizes seen to vary a bit.
Now there's a thought! Thanks Blackbird!!
Hi Marjus - a different world to the summer and sitting on the bank with a drink and a packet of crisps. I cut across country via Westbury to Welshpool on Monday and was wondering if I would get back home - lots of gulls feeding on the flooded fields at Buttington but couldn't stop - think there we Less Blackbacks as well as Blackheaded Gulls but a dangerous bit of road so kept going. I suppose this weather brings up alsorts of bugs and insects out fo the ground also worms - do they take all of these I wonder?
I wonder if there are any Squirrels stuck up those big Oaks standing in the floods..?
Well I wasn't - last time I looked
Lol Squirrel!
Well if there are any Juno, they'll still be there as the water level hasn't changed in over a week now! (might have gone up or down a few inches but the tree are still surrounded)
Hi Lucybob - has it changed much around you? Seems we have a lot of BH & LBB gulls in Shropshire. I expect the BH gulls take whatever comes their way!
You are right MarJus, Gulls will take what comes their way. The field next to me has a dip in the middle that has flooded and the gulls are swimming merrily away in the middle of a field of sheep. I was born and brought up in Blackpool where the "seagulls" were in their millions. After moving here when I married, my mum saw a flock in the adjacent field and commented that the weather must be bad in Blackpool!
Cheers, Linda.
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