Well OK maybe not the headlines, but rather p 18 of The Evening Gazette in today's edition. Gareth Palmer came down on Monday to interview myself and Glyn Evans about the fledgling group and its hopes for the future of the lagoons.
Moreover, CBC seem keen to work with us once we have the group on a more official footing.
We also managed to see a number of birds during the visit: Avocet, Greenshank, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher representing the wading birds. Gadwall, Shelduck, Mallard, Canada Goose and Greylag Goose on the wildfowl side. A single Sedge Warbler was the first on this side of the river this year. Finally a Hobby flashed past as I sheltered from the rain in Alan Wood's car.
A Sunday visit also produced Pochard, Grasshopper Warbler and Little Ringed Plover.
Tuesday evening was calm and still, perfect for watching the comings and goings of the wading birds. It appears we have no less than 5 species of wader displaying, amting and hopefully staying to breed on the lagoons: Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Redshank.
Mallard, Canada Geese and Greylag geese have already produced young, and hopefully Coot and Moorhen and maybe some of the other duck species using the lagoon to rest and feed might stay to breed.
Common Tern also seem to be interested in nesting..if only we had a nesting platform!!
Disturbance of the two lagoons should be kept to a minimum to allow the birds to settle and breed and the local ranger George has already put up signs saying dogs on leads please and reminding people the area is a local nature reserve.
If you do wish to view the small lagoon, please do so from the track, and from one of the corners on the main lagoon, using the sides of the lagoon as cover when walking to one of the corners.
Finally the higlight of my evening visit were reeling Grasshiopper Warbler on the Wivenhoe Trail, and not 1 but 2 hunting Barn Owl!! As if that wasn't good enough, a bad-tempered Badger bustled past me on his dusk ramblings.
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