News from the "Front Line"

Our most excellent volunteer Graham reports from the Date with Nature site:-

“There's a pair of goosanders at the top of the lake. While I was idling
the morning away waiting for peregrines to show, I saw something I
haven't seen before, namely the female goosander entering and leaving
the nestbox. She did it a couple of times, while he swam around
admiringly. She can't climb up to it, and at first she didn't seem to
know how to get in, landing on the roof and walking about in a puzzled
fashion. Then she worked out that a couple of aerial circuits and bumps,
aiming directly for the hole on the last approach, would do the trick.
Getting out wasn't easy either - her head appeared and disappeared
several times before she managed it. There's an excellent view of the
nestbox from the hide.

Also - we have some very noisy common sandpipers next to the hide and
another pair further up, and pied flycatchers are in one (at least) of
the new boxes - number 4.”

Graham is an enthusiastic volunteer with us at Lake Vyrnwy, and helps us on most Sundays leading informal walks, or should I say “strolls”, for an hour or two. If you would like to join him at any time just turn up at the centre at either 11.30 am or 2.00 pm on most Sundays. Ring first if you are making a special journey, just to check we haven’t cancelled for some reason. Telephone 01691 870278.

He is a glutton for punishment, and also helps Gary at the Date for nature site a couple of times a week!!