Inert making it up as they proceed? More mysteries. 28th August 2021

My bafflement as to the restoration process of Manor farm continues; possibly plumbing new depths of confusion.

The recently dug drainage ditch, which I presumed (hah, when will I learn) would connect to Cormorant lake (north), has been filled in! Yep, another bit of odd work, undone by Inert.

A number of survey markers have appeared. They are metal rods, to which are attached small lengths of haz-tape. They are dotted about the site. I'm not sure what they are for. Perhaps to mark the extend of lakes, ponds and streams. Perhaps for banking. Perhaps put out to confused and bamboozle me. Who knows.

Cormorant lake (north) is now full of water, and has decided to drain itself. It's drainage strategy is for water to hug the north edge of the infill, and connect with a run off stream from the northern part of the site. This lake (or large pond) is now really nice. Water depth has improved, with nice shallows round its edges, with the possibility of mud flats.

The lake was never really popular with wildfowl. Possibly not deep enough, possibly as foxes would den in the north embankment. However, with the demise of Finch pond and Cormorant lake (south), this lake is proving more popular with wildfowl.  Though, birds still prefer the ponds, just to the west of the copse.

Inert have constructed a new land bridge. It is to the north of what was Cormorant lake (south) and runs westward to the latest levelling (grading ?) of what was Finch pond. From it, they have further extended the levelling of ground to the west, reaching about half way across what was Finch pond.

The scrubby nature of this area, and what was the land mass, is very popular with Lapwings. Large flocks of 100+ would congregate amongst the low, sparse vegetation. A few nested here, this past two summers.  Sky Larks also like this area. Quite a few has nested successfully over the past few years.

That's more or less it, from what I could see this week. Time will tell what happens next, though progress does seem slow. 

Weather wise, it is been dry, if a little cool. Ground conditions are, currently, rock hard. Though this can easily change with a deluge or two.