Affect of flooding on nesting birds

[colincurry]

The week before last, I was at Fen Drayton where there was some excitement over a pair of nesting avocets. If not a first for this site, it was certainly very unusual. I managed to get these two very long range shots.





I was back there last Thursday only to find that the water level had risen about four feet and flooded all the islands in the lake, destroying nesting habitats in the process.

I assume that this process has been repeated elsewhere very widely and the affect must be spretty devastating. What will the overall affects be; and will birds try again elsewhere as it is fairly early in the season?

Colin

[dmclean2]

Hi Colin ,
Those are very good pics at long range, mine don't come anywhere near yours,
It's a shame about the rise in waterlevels, but I supose it happens in some bad years, I think you may be right though, about the birds breeding again so soon,it is still early in the season and providing the food source is arround then they probably will, if you live localy then you will be able to keep an eye out for them to see if they do breed again,
Thanks for sharing them with me,
Duncan

[Hobjob]

Last year Minsmere lost all but one nest of its Bitterns when the reedbed water levels rose by 10cm due to the heavy rain in May - The one that survived was a cunning oldish female, known as "V" because of an easily recognizable kink in her neck.

Marsh Harriers and bearded tits that nest higher in the reeds were not flooded out.

It is part of nature's unpredictability.