. . . well about 60% of the lake surface was frozen, thankfully the birds were not frozen this chilly, windless, sunny day. A count today revealed the usual groups, if slightly lower numbers of, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Pochard, male and female Goldeneye, Goosander, Mute Swan and a healthy number of Coot. Surprisingly absent were Wigeon? Lapwing were less than a handful (though a local visitor saw about 100 last week) these are nearly always visiting around the tarn. Also witnessed was the rapid dash of a water rail this morning!
Meanwhile on the reserve, Warden Ian Ryding, has been taking advantage of the ground frost to enable cutting down wide areas of soft rush just outside the office on Stagsike Meadow. The aim of this practice is to create a suitable environment to benefit breeding lapwing in the coming Spring.
Vandana Lake
Residential Volunteer
RSPB Geltsdale