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Wednesday 10 October 2012

Ellington Pond

A sunny day last month so I went to some likely spots  to look for dragonflies called in at the small reserve at Ellington a boardwalk under construction lead onto a strange weed  filled pond so thick was the weed it lookled like you could walk on it  2 little grebes seem to have no problem diving down to fish  Speckled wood present and a couple of Common Darters another stop near Lynemouth again speckled wood and a few Tortoiseshell along with a single Red Admiral. A party of Long Tailed tits came through  I always try and get some shots of these hoping for that stunning shot but they are so active ,the camera  and especially my reactions are just not fast enough to react as they come into view for a split second, a couple of Chiffchaffs called to each other but still no Dragonflies despite the warmth from the sun it must be too late in the year for them to be doing anything else other than look for a mate




Boardwalk under construction not sure who manages this site
 At first I thought the pond had dried out and this was weed growing on the dried out areas but no its full of water.

 Completed boardwalk made of that plastic that looks like wood
 The platform at the end will check it out next year .That house in the distance should have some good views over the pond and a great garden list


Little Grebes feeding with ease through the thick weed 
 Long Tailed Tits through calling to each other constantly keeping in contact 
 Speckled Woods a few around

Chiffchaff

2 comments:

Ipin said...

The Strange weed is Azolla filiculoides or fairy fern. It's an invasive alien aquatic from New Zeeland, introduced from garden ponds. It's pretty much impossible to get rid of and cover the entire pond in days, reproducing asexually. The pond is managed by a committee and is owned by Ellington Parish Council. We ring there occasionally, mainly in the winter

Northumbrian Birding said...

Cheers Ian , Another Alien invasion , what with Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and now Fairy Fern the future looks bleak !