Hello
I have checked out the whole site and cleared up some of the trail blockages but there are still a few closures to make you aware of. The Draper hide is closed and will remain closed until further notice thanks to the tree that has fallen on it punching some holes in the roof but luckily little else seeems damaged even the CCTV camera seems in tact. The Tern hide is open but there is no access to Gadwall hide due to a group of about 3 partialy fallen sallows in this area i managed to clear the turnstile this morning but was unable to clear the gate in this area so that remains closed. We have a work party tomorrow and will start on the main clear up work starting with clearing the sallows to allow acces to the gadwall hide as early as possible tomorrow morning. Other damage includes one of the Barn owl boxes has completly blown over the other is partially over, there is a fallen alder tree as you approach the turnstile but this is not obstructing the path and the top has fallen out one of the large willows but again this is not affecting access apart from that a few scattered fallen branches here and there.
We have no word at the time of writing from the HMWT if there paths are clear, so if you venture through the turnstile on to the public footpaths please be carful.
A selection of pictures from my rounds this morning.
Had a qucik count count on lagoon 1 as i was carrying out the check on the reserve the male pintail was showing well, along with 88 lapwing, 108 teal, 129 shoveler, 121 gadwall, 4 wigeon, grey heron, 1green snadpiper and 2 snipe. Therre were at least 53 canada geese on the HMWT meadow which is now nice and flooded after all the rain and i suspect there are lots of snipe hiding out there as well. Along the trails were cettis warbler, red admiral, comma, common darter, green woodpecker, water rail and my first redwings (6) of the year were near the warbler hide.
thanks
Vicky