Severn Hams (15 January 2011, contributed by Mike Smart et al)
The Severn continues to rise and was at 10.10m at Haw Bridge today (it breaks its banks at about 10.75). As a result, the smaller streams could not discharge into the Severn and are back-flooding the meadows. The River Chelt is very high at Wainlodes and already breaking its banks, flooding the Leigh Meadows. The Deerhurst Parish Drain is also high and back-flooding Coombe Hill and Cobney Meadows, while the main drain running through Ashleworth is also very high. This is the first time there has been any water on the meadows this winter, an unusually late date for a first winter flood, but the conditions have clearly attracted good numbers of ducks, notably Wigeon and the first decent showing of Pintail. There is a striking absence of Snipe, which must have moved out during the cold weather in December. The extension to the boardwalk at Coombe Hill will be coming in to its own soon.
WeBS count figures:
Coombe Hill (David Anderson/ Les Brown) : 180 Greylags, 1 Pinkfoot, 1 Barhead, 390 Canadas, 2 Shelduck, 1226 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 139 Teal, 123 Mallard, 88 Pintail, 18 Shoveler, 4 Tufted, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Peregrine, 287 Lapwings, 7 Dunlin, 1 Curlew.
Ashleworth Ham (Mike Smart): 5 Mute Swans, 5 Canada Geese, 690 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 300 Teal, 110 Mallard, 80 Pintail, 7 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Little grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Lapwings, 2 Ravens.
Leigh/Cobney Meadows (Mike Smart): 5 Mute Swans, 17 Mallard, 32 Lapwings, 200 Black-headed Gulls feeding round edge of rising flood.
Minsterworth Ham: no sign of the three Whoopers on the bright green field, either yesterday or today.