Spring is in the Air

Well Spring is definately here. I have been on a rescue mission today. I have been able to rescue two newts (names Nigel and Norman) which must have come out of hibernation due to the lovely weather we are having today. They were found wandering along the path so I have put them close to the letch.

This is Norman

This is Nigel

Called to the Wetlands today to see what activity was taking place. Our geese are back, along with their youngster from last year. There were also 5 Oystercatchers "screeching" about.




When I returned back to our little hut, I happened to notice a wood mouse was trapped in one of our large containers. There was wheat in the bottom so it would have been okay but it would not have been able to get back out. I managed to catch it and after it ran into my hair twice - I couldn't stopping laughing as the little fella was tickling me - he jumped down and ran off. Mind, at one point, I thought he had gone down the back of my top! I have put the lid back on the container so hopefully he will not get trapped again. Wish I had taken the camera.











Just call be Dr Doolittle today!

Another New Species

We have another new bird at the Wetlands this week. Jimmy has spotted 7 Lesser Redpolls. I have no pictures but have "borrowed" this one off The RSPB's website.

Still no sign of our mallards, tufteds and swans as the ponds are completely frozen over. Hopefully they will appear back when the weather starts to thaw a bit.

Can I please remind you all to feed our little bird visitors in our gardens. This weather is not the best for them.

This will be the last blog until after the Christmas - so let me just say "Happy Christmas" to you all and speak to you in the New Year.

Where have they all gone?

Sorry not been on for a while but have been a bit busy with other things.

Quick update - Have been to the Wetlands this morning with the lovely Kevin to find no birds apart from 3 coots which were hiding under the decking. I think this is due to the ponds both being frozen over completely. I know they are coming back in to roost so hopefully they are getting swimming lessons at other areas around us.

We had a new species of bird spotted at the Wetlands for the first time last week. 7 siskins. Jimmy managed to spot them in the bit of woodland at the back of the Pugh Pond.

We have also set up a fund raising account with www.easyfundraising.org.uk.

All you need to do is register yourself on this (its free!) and go to search a cause to support. Type in SWWAN and this will link you to our bit of their site. Then you can use various companies to buy all your prezzies for Christmas. You must keep easyfundraising window open to do this. There are over 2000 companies including Amazon, Play.com and all the major supermarkets and department stores. Each company will let you know how much they will donate to your cause. It's fab. I am using it all the time and have bought the majority of my Christmas presents through it.

If you need help or have any questions about this, please contact me.

If I don't manage to get on the blog before Christmas Holidays start - I would like to wish you all a "Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year"

Sandra xx

Cygnet Rescue

Lovely note this morning from Bob Smee on the Bio Plant to say the last cygnet present at the Wetlands had managed to get stuck in the bund on the Bio Plant. He must have been trying to fly, bless him - in this rain too!

With a click of my heels, I dashed across to the Bio and myself and Bob managed to corner him so that I could pick him up and put him back on the lagoon.

After checking nothing was broken and feeding him some wheat, off he swam!

I wish every day could be like this instead of stuck in the damn office! Well back to work........

Swan Ringing

Paul, his brother and friend came into today to carry out the annual ringing of the cygnets. What a mare they had!! They only managed to catch one out four of the cygnets and the male, who was not best pleased.

The hefty thing weighed in at 10lbs, 2lbs lighter than his Dad - and yes its was male.

Paul and co will be coming back in over the next few weeks to catch the others.

Thats the swans not speaking to me now for a few weeks - ha ha

If I am not on holiday next time Paul comes in, I will take some more photos.

Thanks to Paul for this one

This Weeks Bird Count from Jimmy

Here is Jimmys count from yesterday:

Mute Swan with young : 6 (4 are young)
Mallard : 4
Tufted Duck with young : 11 (7 are young)
Moorhen : 2
Coot with young : 6 (2 are young)
Black Headed Gull : 7
Lesser Black Backed Gull : 2
Herring Gull : 3
Woodpigeon : 3
Collared Dove : 4
Sandmartin : 1
Swallow : 11
House Martin : 6
Pied Wagtail : 15
Willow Warbler : 1
Magpie : 1
Jackdaw : 2
Crow : 1
Greenfinch : 2
Goldfinch : 5
Linnet : 1

Blagdon Visit

Yesterday, Helen, Paul, Kevin and myself were very kindly invited to visit Lord Ridley and Blagdon Estate to have a look at their wetlands area within the estate. This area is vast and is made up of two parts, both of which are fab. Lets hope that our wetlands can look like this some day, but obviously on a smaller scale.

Lord Ridley is a pleasure to be in the company of and has a lot of knowledge which we are lapping up with extreme excitement.

He has asked us to take some of the seeds of his collection of trees so that we can have a collection of our own on site. We are looking forward to planting these soon.

Here are a few pictures of the wetland areas at Blagdon.

Area 1

Area 2

We are hoping to go back soon and visit other areas of the Blagdon Estate and look forward to hearing some more stories from the Lord.

I would like to thank the Lord and Shaun Hartley for sparing the time to show us about. We were all very impressed and now full of more ideas on improving our wetlands area.