Visit to Welney

Since our last visit in November (https://pin-sharp.blogspot.com/2019/11/welney-floods.html), the floods did recede for a short while but all the recent rain has filled the Ouse Washes levels even higher so there is now no shallow water for dabbling ducks and waders. It was mainly Pochard plus Tufted ducks on the main area plus Grey-lag Geese flying in and out periodically.

We had Meredith with us and she had great fun identifying all the birds and then great delight in dissecting some Owl Pellets in the activity room.

Welney Floods

With water stretching the entire area between the two Bedford Rivers and covering all the paths, the water birds had an enormous area to occupy. Not so good for Waders and perches were almost lacking for Gulls, Cormorants and Birds of Prey. A Cetti's Warbler was happy foraging in the old Teasels sticking out of the water

 

Dovedale Floods and Clumber Park

Our route back from the Peak District was via Dovedale and Clumber Park (both National Trust). We wondered why the car park was quite empty when we arrived at Dovedale - the valley was flooded and it was not possible to get across the stepping stones or to easily walk along the other side of the river. However the colours reflected in the extensive water areas made up for it.

Clumber Park was very busy with people out enjoying the autumn trees.

 

 

 

When the Cam Froze in Cambridge 25 years Ago

With the recent cold spell and now the very wet conditions, I was interested to come across, while scanning slides, these images taken in extreme weather of previous years. The Big Freeze of January - February 1991, when the Cam remained frozen for 3 full weeks. 

Over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of October 2001, the southern half of East Anglia was drenched by over a month's worth of rain in a few hours. Over the next few days much of this water made its way into the River Cam, and started flooding areas in the centre of Cambridge.

Floods in Toft

After a night of heavy rain, the Toft to Bourn Road and Brookside were impassable to normal traffic by 7am yesterday morning. This didn't stop a few people trying to get through. This car made it but others had got stuck. The water at 9 feet is as high as I have recorded in recent years. The last image shows our personal flood problem - getting the drainage work signed off by the building inspector is not possible when you can't see the new drain pipe!

Welney after the Floods

 There is still more water on the Ouse Washes than I have seen before in May. It is preventing the nesting of many waders though I saw at least four egrets that were enjoying the wetter conditions. The Reed Warbler above flitted around so fast that I was pleased to get even this much clear of foliage.

Floods in Toft

After a day and night of heavy rain the road into Toft is flooded and closed. However, a number of motorists take no notice - ok if you have a land rover and if something doesn't come the other way

!

There is a height marker in the river and as you see the water level is almost to the top at 7 feet. In Brookside the river has broken through and flooded all the way to School Lane. All the warning signs are a bit redundant as noone can walk or drive this part.