Upfill of Cormorant lake (north) continues with new land bridges. 16th October 2021

I'm beginning to sound like a stuck record, as once again I express my mysticism as to the restoration process.

Inert continue to both infill and upfill Cormorant lake (north), completing the land bridge they started last week, and creating a new one through the middle of the former gravel causeway. Land levels have been raised by approximately 8' to 10' (2.4m to 3m) as the upfill continues to reach the height of the lower north embankment.

This, I believe, sets the land level some 8' to 12' higher than the original land levels to the north of the site. Very perplexing indeed.

It looks as if  Cormorant lake (north) will disappear, as per plans. However, according to those same plans, there is supposed to be a lake just to the south of Cormorant lake (north). Inert will have to dig this lake out, if the plans are unmodified from the ones I have.

Clearing of vegetation from the lower embankment of the north embankment has made it very easy for me to walk along it. I used to have to fight my way through tall, dense bracken. Not amusing after rain or a heavy dew.

I noticed some recent fox dens in the upper north embankment. Shame I didn't put any trail cams out. I hope the cubs survived this year, unlike the previous time I put trail cams out.

I did clamber to the top of the north embankment. Still quite tricky due to both the very steep sides of the banking, and the dense bracken. The view of the site/reserve was more magnificent than in previous years, as the line of Birch trees had been cleared. On the other hand, the view was less satisfying due to Cormorant lake (south) being completely filled in, and half of Cormorant lake (north) being filled in.

Well, I'm all agog at to what the latest installment of the restoration will be next week. Rainfall has, by and large, held off. There were a couple of sneak showers not predicted by either the BBC or Met office, but it has been very dry. However, the land has not dried out completely. Parts were still very soft for humans, therefore quite boggy for lorries.  Other parts were firm, but not rock hard.

I may take a stroll, next week, down to the south vehicle track and the mighty mound next to the pump station, just to see if anything has been happening. However, I may not, as the main thrust of operations appear to be concentrated on Cormorant lake (north).

And finally. Lapwings have started congregating on what was Finch pond. Not is such large numbers as in former years. It is a bit early for them to do so. However, much of the low, scrubby vegetation they so like has gone due to the upfill of the past couple of months.