19th December

After a cold night yesterdays snow remained.

Common Snipe: one was feeding in the rail ditch at 9.30am, it was joined by a second bird mid-morning.

Water Rail: two still present in the ditch in area 2.

Skylark: one was heard flying over.

Meadow Pipit: one flew east at 8.00am.

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Water Rail at the feeding station

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Comments

Paul Lewis said…
I am interested in your Water Rail feeding station, what are you using as food? Would like to use this idea at my local nature reserve at Maple Lodge.
Hi Paul.

I use a Charnwood Marine Duck pellets. It is what we feed all our fish eating ducks, though all the other species like it as well. It is not that cheap at around £13 per 20 kilo bag. There are possibly other similar sea duck foods. Mine is poured into a couple of plastic take away containers mounted on a piece of wood (similar to a miniature tern raft. It is then held in the middle of cage by a couple of thin rods. If possible the mesh should be 4" X 2" approx then you might exclude moorhens. If you have any other questions contact me on my email address as shown on the Londonbirders sight arduck----@--.--
Paul Lewis said…
Many thanks.