The ice may have gone but there's a sense of deja vu - yet again the river Hull overtopping the flood defence north of Hempholme Lock:
Watton Beck was also overtopping on Sunday flooding the free range chicken farm again on the Carrs. Barmston Drain is on the up and has flooded much of Easingwold Farm and the back of Watton NR too. Suffice to say there is again a flood warning out on the upper Hull
here.
As if that's not enough we've also had winds to contend with - a 'North Sea' state on both reservoirs and a few trees uprooted in the woodlands.
Birdwise the woodock at the Wildlife Centre has been erratic - present every other day - not always showing as well as this (one of two on Sunday):
The week has seen up to six drake pintail either on Watton NR, South Marsh East or D res. The red-head smew was showing on Tuesday - but we reckon is commuting between here and the river a lot. A pair of goosander on the D res on Sunday evening. At least the high winds are pushing all the wildfowl close in to the car park hide. Little egret passed North Marsh on Sunday, with water rail squealing regularly including this evening. Willow tit on the woodland feeders. Thanks to Chris Cox via Michael Flowers for these great shots of male kestrel (we've also had a suspected female merlin on the approach road - and keep an eye out for short eared owls - there's some not far away at the Trout Inn, Wansford):
And also of this fine goldeneye:
Now to a couple of events; the monthly reserve walk takes place this Saturday at 10am - all welcome and free with standard admission. Join the Warden on a guided walk to try and catch up with some of the above.
We also have the 'Mammal Safari' event on Sunday afternoon. Still plenty of places left - we'll be showing participants how to identify the tracks and field signs of many otters, foxes, deer and water voles - and demoing the trail cameras we use to view them. We'll also be using some longworth traps to live catch some smaller critters - bank or field voles if we're lucky. If you want to book a place ring us on 01377 270690. Free with standard admission.
