Severn Hams (13 February 2011, contributed by David Anderson, Les Brown and Mike Smart)
The Severn is now dropping, but not quickly enough for water to flow out from the meadows, where water levels are therefore still rising gradually. There has been a decrease in Greylag and Canada Geese and duck numbers also much lower than on January flood.
Ashleworth on Saturday 12 February: 4 Greylags and 14 Canadas, only 75 Wigeon, 256 Teal, 31 Mallard, 15 Pintail, 18 Shoveler, 6 Tufted, 1 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, only 1 Snipe (remarkably few despite careful search), a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 2 Reed Buntings singing (first I’ve heard this year).
Leigh/ Cobney Meadows (moderate flooding): 22 Greylags, 3 Canada Geese, 147 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 3 Pintail.
Coombe Hill (the boardwalk is ankle deep in water, but easily accessible with wellingtons; scrapes submerged under shallow flood water): 4 Mute Swans, 50 Canadas, 30 Greylags, the Greylag x Barnacle cross again, 8 Shelducks, 350 Wigeon, 150 teal, 20 Mallard, 10 Shoveler. 1 Buzzard, 10 Lapwings, 8 Curlews (apparently a territorial pair and a group of six passing migrants); and a Reed bunting singing.
Today at Upper Dumball at 0930: swans in the same field as Friday: 4 Whoopers (one cygnet), 47 Bewick’s (37 adults, 10 cygnets), 3 Mute Swans.