28th April 2016
Staff: DWE, MLA
Weather: Cold start, weather system moving in at 10 and rain/snow all day.
Projects: Wetland Census, Marsh Harrier
This morning we censured Fräknabotten and looked out for Marsh harrier nest building from Lötenplatform.
Fräknabotten
Greylag Goose: 2
Mallard; 1 pair
Teal: 144
Wigeon: 55
Gadwall: 6 pairs + 1 adult
Lapwing: 11
Snipe: 3
Redshank: 1
Wood Sandpiper: 1
The weather today has been very bad for census work and even before the rain the Marsh harriers seemed to know it was not going to be a productive day with some hunting and a bit of displaying at dawn the best we could record.
It has now been snowing for 2 or 4 hours and it seems like it will continue through the night, I cannot believe it is nearly May, it feels like Christmas! I have to feel for the early nesters, I found a Yellowhammer nest a week or so ago and I cannot imagine the eggs surviving this. Hopefully the weather turns soon, or the Swallows will be wondering why they ever left Africa!
DWE