DRAKELOW NATURE RESERVE: W/E Sunday 18th August 2019. The weather during the week could be described as variable with two days written off due to heavy rain and, by the week-end, the onset of our notorious flood pool became evident. Clearly, the rise in the lagoons was obvious with the dipping platform of the Bamboo Pool once again completely under water. Roosting egrets still persists with a Great White and 24 Little Egrets counted out on the 18th. During the week one to three Little Egrets were noted and an occasional record of the Great White Egret. Gadwalls remain the commonest duck with 127 logged on the 18th together with 79 Mallard and a smattering of Teal and Shoveler. The Tufted Duck flock, mentioned in the last blog, is still in the Main Lagoon with two broods of seven and three elsewhere. Two Hobbies seem to be roosting on the reserve and one was seen drifting along the ML during the afternoon of the 17th as were Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. The only wader, as yet, is the Green Sandpiper with two being noted on the 12th vying with the gulls for space on the diminished Strip. Passage birds included a record of 66 Swifts on the 15th with some 52 House Martins also logged. In general warblers are now silent although the odd Chiffchaffs can still be heard on occasions. Other warbler sightings include Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap (15). A flock of some 20 Goldfinches on the 18th were mainly juveniles.

WORK PARTY: A work party scheduled for the 14th had to be cancelled but is re-arranged for the 21st commencing at 0930hrs. In the main work will be concentrated on clearing paths so there will be an element of disturbance. TRAIL CAMERAS: Currently, several trail cams are being installed with a view to obtaining evidence of animal activities. With thanks to AG, KW, RW, AB, DH, AL, NC and MJH.