Wetlands
Winter into spring 2006.
After the drought conditions of the summer and autumn (see below) the winter rains have returned the wetland to near normal water levels. We were worried that drought might have killed off the dabchicks as they are so vulnerable out of the water. however they have returned and appear to be nesting. We have counted at least two pairs. We also have two pairs of scaup, which are diving ducks. they usually prefer deeper water but appear to be well satisfied with the food available to them in the wetland. Along with the dabbies the Canada geese have returned and as I write this, are scrapping it out for nesting territory. It sounds like Apocalypse Now with much falpping and fighting and general frenetic bursts of noise from the females. The black swans as usual lord it over the rest of the waterfowl.
It's good to see the ponds full again with ducks and other visitors all busy doing their own thing. We already have lots of mallard ducklings bobbing around behind their mothers.
At long last the grass is growing faster than the horses and sheep can eat it so feeding out is only something to do when we want to bring the sheep into the yards. The lambs grow at an incredible rate. They are about six weeks old (late September) and still unweaned. the mothers seem to be telling us they could do with a rest, and in any case the lambs are grazing well already. Their tails have all fallen off from docking.