I heard some bad news today, someone who lives near the Slea told me that he had been told that it will not be long before boats are going from the Hub to the Mill 
They have to replace New Street bridge first, and I hope that is done BEFORE the nesting season because last year our Dabchicks started their first nest a couple of yards away from the bridge, any disturbance may lead to an abandoned nest. They also will be building a winding (turning) hole and then a water taxi can operate. If this goes ahead I believe that the wash from the boat may wash away Moorhen. Coot or Dabchick nests, that is assuming that the Dabchicks stay which I think is NOT likely, they like quiet places and the Slea is too narrow for a boat not to have to come VERY near any nest. We also know that Moorhens nest in the middle of the river some times, what will the boat do then. All this AND they will have to cut back trees (if not fell them completely) and probably remove some of the reeds which are about the only place that the Moorhens, Coots and Dabs will nest. So I think this news is VERY bad for the Slea wildlife
I only saw 1 Coot yesterday but did see both Coots today.
Here is a Starling (I love Starlings but I know some do not) on the LC Bridge…
Terry