Sorry for the lack of blog lately! Blue monday over and done with here's a bit of news from the reserve.
Firstly we have been cracking on with some of the work on the island (or whats left of it with all this wet weather) Last Wednesday Gavin (vol) stephen, Dave and Myself were out on the island finishing of the second attempt at the floating fence. Everything still looks great for getting this completed for the end of march particularly after we iron out a few of the teething problems. Despite it being cold we had a good day! Photos below as proof. Incidently Bill Shaw (Amphibian and Reptile Conservation) stood in as an RSPB member of staff for twenty minutes and gave BBC radio cumbria and update about the project!
Getting all the kit over to the island in a one man boat seems impossible but works after you have the knack of it - Getting out at either end is another story!
Floating fence being placed into the water. Gavin fixing the barrels in place at the far side and the beacon in the back ground.
There has been another flurry of activity on the reserve where another bit of the path has been scraped back and filled with slag from the reserve. Although it still needs to bed in a bit more this should provide a great (dry) walk way through the reserve.
New path surface using slag from the reserve as a surfacing
So that's what we've been up to so far this year. We also have a few work parties coming up if you fancy giving us a hand with any of the work. If you do please get in contact mhairi.maclauchlan@rspb.org.uk or 01229719655 for details and dates. Everyone is welcome.
Birds
Ducks and wildfowl are in good numbers on the reserve with Goldeneye, Pochard, Redbreasted-Megansers and teal spread throughout the lagoon. A singular Eider can still be seen on the island at times. The slavonian grebe and green winged teal were both seen up until last week although I've not seen them since. Large skeins of pinkfooted geese were going over head last week as well. Snipe, redshank, Oystercatcher are also on the main island particularly at high tide.
I was going to do a bit in the blog about footprints in the snow but Blacktoft Sands reserve blog have beat me to it! here's the link.....http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/blacktoftsands/b/blacktoftsands-blog/archive/2013/01/21/footpints-in-um-snow.aspx
Sos Mha!