The great wall of Chandler's farm. 16th August 2019

Yes, it isn't a Saturday or Sunday. Early report due to university visits. It's that time of year!

It is also business as usual. No activity on Manor farm - except our hard working pump is chugging away, lowering water levels in Finch pond and Cormorant lake.

Over on Chandlers farm, Inert are busy extending their earth banking; almost as if they are building a wall to keep the Berkshire folk out of Hampshire.  :-) :-) :-)  Seriously, I do wonder what this earth bank is all about.

I still reckon it will take at least another two weeks of pumping to get water levels down to a safe depth. Matters are not helped either by the deluge we got on Wednesday, and the pasting we are supposed to get today.  The Blackwater was running very high, after a long period of having quite low water levels.

Bird life was surprisingly abundant on Cormorant lake (south) - and not just the usual suspects of Canada Geese and Mallards. My inexpert eyes spotted a Green Sandpiper - first time I have ever spotted one - as well as the Little Ringed Plover.  Will the latter attempt to over winter in the UK?  Climate change is causing more and more migratory birds to do so.

Speaking of Canada Geese - I think I managed to spot an 'albino' one. Technically it is called a partially leucistic Canada Goose as it is lacking melanin.  Still, if it is such then it is a first for me.

Kicking off the slide show with the usual 'restoration' shots.

Now the 'albino' Canada goose

For what ever reason, many flocks of Canada geese decided to descend onto Cormorant lake (south) - this, in addition, to those who went on to Moor Green Lakes.  It is somewhat interesting to note the huge disparity in bird numbers from day to day.

Now the Green Sandpiper and some Sand Martins I managed to photograph as they fed over Colebrook lake (north) in Manor farm.