It’s all kicking off on the islands in our fresh marsh pool.
If you turn your binoculars eastwards from the Parrinder Hide or west bank path you will see dozens of these monochrome marvels scratching and scrapping, chasing off geese and gulls and generally causing a fuss as they begin nesting. The shallow scrapes these birds nest in can be difficult to see but often they will construct a rough border-nest from twigs and reeds just around the hollow. This is very obliging to us as it means we as staff can monitor them more easily and visitors can see what we’re monitoring. One of our first nesting females, nicknames ‘twiggy’ for her impressive DIY skills, has chosen a lovely spot on the near end of the largest island in the pool.
We’re monitoring the water levels closely to make sure she doesn’t have a flooding problem (we wouldn’t want her to have to re-carpet after all).
Laura Harpham, Conservation Intern