Only one phrase could describe the south brooks this morning - mirror calm, under a (finally!) clear sky. Thousands of ducks spread out all over the place were an awesome sight - there were at least 300 pintail on the north brooks 2 days ago, and there seems little reason to suggest that number has changed much! About 10 shelduck are newly in and represent a sign of lengthening days, and great spotted woodpeckers were drumming in various places this morning. Lots of redwings and fielfares were using the hedges/high fields around west mead and the zigzags.
Parts of the trail (between west mead and winpenny hide) are still flooded and Nettley's hide is still cut off. Fattengates courtyard is still closed due to fallen trees, but all of the other hides and viewpoints are open. Please be aware the flood levels are likely to drop in the next couple of days, but please obey all signs relating to closed sections of trails or hides, as the flood has left a lot of debris behind and the ground conditions may be unsafe in those areas.