A late WeBs count for Willington this month to reduce the impact on disturbance in such harsh conditions. I found that the Main & Fishing lake were iced at 95% with only a small pool of open water remaining on the latter with the Main Lake totally frozen and devoid of birdlife. The open water was unfortunately close to the access causeway which meant that every dog walker resulted in putting the birds up, burning calories that they cant easily replace.
I counted 178 Wigeon and only a handful of Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Pochard. A single Great-crested Grebe, Greylag and Mute Swan with a count of 52 Coot. For the first time in many years, no Barnacle Geese were on site.
Thank goodness for the thaw which has now set in ! Count taken on Monday 27th.
A late WeBs count for Willington this month to reduce the impact on disturbance in such harsh conditions. I found that the Main & Fishing lake were iced at 95% with only a small pool of open water remaining on the latter with the Main Lake totally frozen and devoid of birdlife. The open water was unfortunately close to the access causeway which meant that every dog walker resulted in putting the birds up, burning calories that they cant easily replace.
I decided not to do my WeBs count at the lakes this morning as to avoid disturbance when the birds are struggling to survive. Can't get the car out the drive so a few images around the village captured instead - snow like this is a novelty and I couldn't resist a few pictures. Like a scene from the Narnia chronicles !
