Summer Sun amongst the River Gipping Lakes - 13/6/2017

 

Today I decided to have a look at the northern most pits along the River Gipping, six lakes that range from Pipp's Ford to Needham Lake, a mix of fishing lakes, open quarries and nature reserves. As it was a hot day in mid June there wasn't too much about, but it was still interesting enough to reward a look.

So I started at Pippp's Ford, and on the finished workings there was a ROE DEER, an animal I don't see too often in Suffolk. It was far away and kept running, so I couldn't get a decent photo, but these two were the best.

 

 

 

On the working quarry section at Pipp's Ford the water had been drained to allow digging to happen, so there wasn't too much there. SAND MARTINS were nesting in the sand cliffs of the quarry. 





 

The working quarry

 

On the working quarry at Pipp's Ford POPPIES were growing on the disturbed soil.

 

 

The sandy soil allowed the tall VIPER'S BUGLOSS to grow.

 

I bumped into an official looking birdwatcher who told me there were three pairs of LITTLE RINGED PLOVER present on site, but two pairs had failed, probably because of the recent crap weather. I didn't see any today, with just one LITTLE GREBE and several LAPWING hanging about on site.

 

 

Pippin's Lake

 

A fairly quiet lake. The only birds were a family party of GADWALL, with six chicks closed to fledging.





 

PYRAMID ORCHIDS were beginning to appear near Pippin's lake

 

Riverside Farm Pit

 

The SWAN family had hatched and had moved onto the river, with five CYGNETS.

 





 

 

A pair of GREY WAGTAILS were nesting in the lock along the river by the pit.

 

Alderson Lake

Two GREAT CRESTED GREBES were close to fledgling and a COOT was present.

 

Needham Lake

A SWAN family of five CYGNETS was present and there was one GREBE.

 

On all the pits there were large numbers of CANADA GEESE young spread around .

 

So a fairly quiet day, but I can't really ask for more considering the season. Soon summer will turn to Autumn, with only a month to go before waders start arriving on site, and the breeding season ends. The whole cycle will continue until it will be summer again. Ah the joys of birdwatching.