Things are improving but there are still some Mallards on the Hub green that are waterlogged, I spoke to the E.A. this morning to see if there is any update on the test that have been carried out (not yet) and to say there were some Mallards still in need of attention, the E.A. said they will pass the details on to the RSPCA so they also know the latest position and can act accordingly. Both the E.A. and the RSPCA have worked well together which I personally very much appreciate 
Our lone Coot and lone Tuffty are still doing well, I went down past the railway bridge downstream of the Mill this morning in the hope that I might see one or two of our Tuffted ducks but didnt, so I now have to assume the other 6 didnt survive 
I did get a very good and long look at the Heron past the railway bridge….
Terry
Hi Terry. Just to update you on what I have seen over the last week. Last Friday (around early evening – 5th Sep) I saw the 2 Tufty Chicks who were sheltering up by Cogglesford Mill heading off downstream towards the A17. I went about halfway along the river to the railbridge on Sunday but did not sight them – there is still a chance they are okay and have gone quite a way down river. I saw a lone Swan on the Slea tuesday evening but it could’nt have stayed around for long. The probable demise of our scarce diving birds may mean the breeds won’t be seen next year but at least it was pleasing to hear the RSPB rescued one Dabchick. It seems strange to me the the EA have not been able to come up with any answers yet but the scientic approach can be a long slow process. I suppose only things can get better now but some of the Mallards still seem a bit worse for wear.
Regards Graham
Thanks for the update Graham, appreciated as always.
You have given me hope that some Tuffties may have survived so I will go downstream a bit further over the weekend in the hope off seeing some.
Yes the E.A. said it would be about 2 weeks for the results to come through, but I do think it will now be a case of trying to see what was the ’cause’ of the problem because the water may be back to normal now as we do not seem to be getting any additional Ducks/Moorhens etc having problems, I think its just the ones who have already been affected that we are still seeing.
I do know the E.A. have been up and down the river investigating and they took some more samples yesterday (I think it was yesterday) so they are doing everything possible at this stage.
Terry
What awful happenings you have had on the Slea, and what a blessing that there are people around there to keep an eye on things. Can you tell me what happened to the white ducklings I saw on the Slea about 3 months ago? I think there were 5 to start with. Keep up the good work. enid
Hi Enid, I will try and count the White Ducks on Monday for you but I have not noticed any are missing but I have not been looking for them so can not be sure. I do know that at least one of the white ones was waterlogged but not to as bad a state as some, being white he is quite distinctive so I did look for him each day to see if he was getting better or not and he had improved quite a bit by yesterday. When they are completely waterlogged I think they are flightless as their feathers are not ‘zipped’ together properly, but this particular white duck flew across the Slea to where I was yesterday so I think he will make a full recovery
Terry