Cress Marsh

Visited today just after dinnertime. I have not been for quite awhile and was surprised by how much water there is now. The surrounding fields are quite flooded and the lagoon is very full.
It was very cold, grey and there was a damp mist being swirled about by a gentle breeze. Walking to the hide the scrapes (G & H) to the right under the pylons, were lots of gulls..GBB, BH etc. There was also a large flock of 40+ Lapwings. Overhead were large flocks of Fieldfares and frequent Linnets and Goldfinches
Gaining entry to the hide was a challenge. The handle was on the floor near the door and a twisted chunk of aluminium. Fortunately I managed to coax the mechanism together and open the door, albeit stiffly. The lagoon itself was very full and now the surrounding areas are starting to look 'natural' the overall effect was quite encouraging.
The last time I visited the lagoon was completely empty. This time there was at least some signs that things are improving.

Middle island showing 1 cock pheasant!
10 mallards, mix of drakes and females
10 teal

Kestrel over the hedge near Lenzing
Lots of woodies
Carrion crows/magpies
Couple of wagtails

3 Roe deer on walk back along perimeter fence to back of farm.

Not a huge amount but certainly an improvement on my previous visits.

Back at the car and Rachel was just pulling up to do an inspection. Assured me the door handle and the door jamb swell would be fixed in the coming week.

A little more bird activity on site today:
Sprawk (f)
Mipits (6)
Lapwing (4)
Pied Wags(3)
Starlings.. feeding on mud
Dunnock 2
Gulls... numerous
Golden Plover.... small flock flew over

Again, I couldn’t get into the hide despite my best efforts! So have been unable to do more to site map.
From what I could see of the lagoon there were about 8 Mallards

The door of the hide is not locked but the wood has swollen jamming it at the bottom. It needs a lot of force to get in! Rachel bent the handle yesterday in an attempt to open it. A new handle has been ordered! Hopefully the wood will dry a little as weather improves...

Just been to Cressy : frustratingly, the hide door was locked. I will try and find out what’s happening.

Apart from Pied/White Wags and Gulls there was nothing about. It really is disappointing. I can’t think of any other explanations than those already proffered ie lack of food, no cover,

Very disappointing after showing so much promise. I cannot really see why it has declined as suddenly as it did. I understand there has been some disturbances over the last few months but i would have expected it to have picked up again now. Could it be that there really is no food left? When i started visiting it was alive with Herons and Egrets. Double figures for both these species, along with ducks, cormorants and gulls surely this must have depleted the lagoon reserves. There is also the predator threat, the Peregrine, Sparrowhawks and kestrels are regular visitors. Are these things combined enough to turn it barren?

Bearded tits at Far Ings and Alkborough, Waxwings at Far Ings and South Cave.