Marsh harrier still around. Inert fettle, extend top soil capping on banking. Going slower. 19th October 2022

A MGLG member, who visits the area frequently during a week, told me he didn't see Inert working on Thursday and Saturday, and possibly Friday of last week.  I can only assume they were called over to Chandlers farm for an emergency fix, but they do seem to be slowing down a bit.

This morning's stomp revealed a digger working away on the former east ridge, smoothing it down and, I assume, integrating the area into the established north east part of Manor farm.  I couldn't tell from the south footpath.

Capping soil appears also to have been extended south to the yellow road bridge, and I assume what was left of the former land bridge has also been removed.  Further capping soil appears to have been applied to the north west corner of the new, long Manor lake.

A bulldozer was extending the capping soil on the banking along the south edge of the main reed beds, which Inert had constructed some weeks ago.  Heavy earth movers would approach the banking from the east and reverse along it until they reach the point where they need to dump their load of soil.

Guess what, folks.  Inert were shipping back onto Manor farm, all the topsoil they shipped to Chandlers farm!

Other than that, it was difficult to assess what Inert were up to since Sunday.  It looks as if they might be extending the banking further east, but it is hard to tell.

Of greater import, the Marsh Harrier is still lurking around the site; which is great. I next to the grey transformer when I spotted in, sort of north eastward, flying over the completed marshy area of Manor farm.  After sculling around for a bit, the beastie flew westward toward Finch pond, where a murder of Carrion crows arose to mob it.  Though the crows didn't seem to have their heart in it, and the Marsh Harrier flew off lazily towards Chandlers farm.

Light conditions were poor. It was difficult to get a lock on the Marsh Harrier, even with my lens at 600mm, as the beastie was a fair distance away. Sigh.