The number of Little Terns at the colony rose to 64 yesterday. Again there was plenty of dreading & courtship activity to be observed. Should be about 2 weeks until the first egg is laid! The string fencing & information signs are now in place around the main part of the colony between the Buckthorn bushes & The Breaches bridge whilst the first section of flexi-net is in position along the wardens path.
The Breaches is now open after being blocked for some time, so we're expecting the small estuary to become tidal again soon enough which should attract more wading birds to the area during the peak Spring migration period over the next couple of weeks. Thanks go to the staff at Newcastle Airfield for opening up the shingle bar at The Breaches which gets blocked during periods of strong North-easterly or Easterly winds, causing water to back up into the estuary & onto the marsh. It's important to keep The Breaches open as much as possible, not only for the local wildlife but also for the surrounding farmland.
 |
| Hi-Mac opening the shingle bar at The Breaches to release backed up water © Niall Keogh |
 |
| Normal tidal patterns allow the small estuary at The Breaches to become a haven for wading birds, Kingfishers, Otters & Grey Mullet © Niall Keogh |
No comments:
Post a Comment