Wednesday 10 December 2014

Canadian Waterweed

Lade - 0900hrs - mild, sunny, w 2 - Following strong overnight winds this morning dawned calm and clear with balmy temperatures. We wandered across the shingle to Mockmill where a few thrushes, Mipits, Wrens and two Snipe were flushed from cover. The lakes held pretty much the same wildfowl as on Sunday, plus a Goldeneye on north lake. Last nights wind had dislodged huge rafts of Canadian Waterweed from south lake and washed it up along the eastern shore, much to the delight of the Moorhens picking it over for morsels. This submerged waterweed is an introduced plant that spreads rapidly across freshwater lakes and this year it appears to have flourished, judging from the large numbers of Coot and dabbling ducks present.
Whilst on the subject of Coots, they continue to attract the attentions of Marsh Harriers with two large, sub-adult females quartering the lake testing for any weaklings; although one of them got a fierce reception when it strayed too close to a Great Black-backed Gull.

                                Canadian Waterweed, Lade

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