15th Oct.
I took some time out to visit the lake this afternoon and was pleased to
find that we now have three Goosanders on the water. A welcome return. There weren’t many Mute Swans to be counted on the water, although they now seem to be
all over the place since the fencing was put up. I’ve lived in Killingworth since the 1970s
and I have never before seen the road traffic held up so often by Mute Swans, as has happened in recent weeks. Nor have I seen the Mute Swans entering areas that they have been visiting
recently. Some may try and convince me they
are moving around to seek food now that certain people have stopped feeding
bread to them. I simply don’t accept
this rather convenient reasoning and would argue that it is the blocking of
access to areas of land that has caused this problem. I also took a look again at the new floating
reed-bed and fear that the wire mesh around it looks rather permanent. I suppose it does give the Cormorants somewhere to perch. There were five Cormorants there today. How
long before there is an out cry about too many Cormorants taking the fish from the lake I wonder? A daft question from me I suppose, as I’m
sure there has already been noises made about this over the years. At least it’s nice to hear that a few bird
and bat boxes have been put up about the area.
The wire mesh doesn't look very temporary to me!
But it must be temporary as the signs make it clear the area is to be used for nesting swans etc!
Anyway, at least I bumped into Sam by the lake and it was
good to talk to someone else who knows a little about wildlife, its needs and
conservation issues surrounding this. We
found the pair of Little Grebes and
then a third Little Grebe on the
smaller lake. Two of the juvenile Great
Crested Grebes (now adult sized) remain as do the parents birds. I’m not sure where all the Pochards have
gone, as we counted only one. A single Shoveller flew over our heads as we
spoke and a single Grey Heron had
taken up its now regular position. Sam
had heard a Grey Wagtail beside the
lake earlier.
I took a walk across the playing fields and found that the
flocks of gulls have yet to build up to sizable numbers. There had been no Goldeneye on the generally quiet lake as yet. I heard only tits, Chaffinches and Wrens in
the trees and bushes.
I read in the newspaper today that David Cameron is going to
support a watering down of the Fox hunting ban (no surprise there then,
although I never believe everything I read in the papers. You just have to look at what is written
about Killingworth
Lake to realise facts are
the last thing many newspapers concern themselves with). There seems to be complete turmoil with
regard to the Badger cull, Common Buzzards are the growing enemy according to
some, although these same people seem to have well and truly conquered our
breeding Hen Harriers and now I hear that we have concerns being expressed
about growing numbers of Otters and Pine Martins. The RSPB’s latest call is to ‘Give
Nature a Home’. Let’s hope in
years to come we still have some nature to give a home to. Let’s be positive though, as I know that
there are at least some who care and even know what they are talking about and
can see past their own selfish needs.
It’s for those people I have a more interesting post lined up for next
time.
Whilst it’s good to talk I have to dash off and prepare for
our country’s venture towards Brazil
and the World Cup. For that reason and
that reason only I have pulled Willie from a long, long sleep in the
cupboard. I know many of you will
remember him from 1966. So let’s hear it
for the lads and World Cup Willie! If only
we had Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks and Nobby Stiles back in an England shirt
along with our Empire, Swan Hunters, The Stoll Cinema, trolley buses and
aniseed balls!
Don't mess with World Cup Willie
Dressed in red, white and blue, he's World Cup Willie
We all love him too, World Cup Willie
He's tough as a lion and never will give up
That's why Willie is fav'rite for the Cup
Willie,
Willie, he's evry'body's fav'rite for the Cup
You took the (songs) words right out of my mouth. I sadly don't have the same enthusiasm about England as I did when younger. Then again, I don't have the same enthusiasm about football generally. I don't see the players these days in the same light as some of those you mention, with a few (Shearer, Harper ) exceptions. The sad plight at the Toon doesn't help either.
ReplyDeleteThat reed bed looks rather forboding.
The reed-bed is definitely out of bounds to birds at present. The old myth suggesting that it was the Mute Swans and other birds that killed the previous one off is still being circulated even though two council officers have agreed (in one case at least in part) that it was the weather. We'll wait and see how things progress. If I'm honest I have little time these days for National football but thought Willie would brighten up the blog a little. Have to say it was a decent match last night. Not much you can say about the goings on at the Le Toon. Cheers.
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