Life On The Slea (LOTS)

In 12 years I have never

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:40:47 +0000

In 12 years I have never seen the Slea frozen…

…there are still patches of open water so I don’t think the Kingfisher will have too much problem, also saw 2 Dabchicks which weree asily seen because I didn’t have to look at the frozen parts.

Not one duck on the Slea

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:21:02 +0000

Not one duck on the Slea where I walk, also no Moorhens or Swans – why because a Canoe went up and down from the Hub to Cogglesford Mill 4-5 times

I did see a Dabchick though

2 Swans

admin — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 07:58:38 +0000

2 Swans were on the Slea yesterday, the 2 Dabchicks and their little one are also still doing well.

I have been told

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:23:46 +0000

I have been told that their is at least 1 baby Dabchick has hatched, there may be more to come ? This just reinforces the fact that the people who want boats on the Slea during the school summer holidays are *completely* wrong when they say that the breeding season has finished by then. Boats would be a disaster for Dabchick nests and young.

Dabchick parent and young from a previous year on the Slea…

Fish being removed

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:59:12 +0000

Fish are being removed from the Slea because of the low water levels, click HERE for details.

What a sad state

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:16:27 +0000

What a sad state the River Slea is in, this was my first trip down the Slea for a few weeks and the water was very low and weed everywhere, the only ‘saving grace’ is that it would be impossible for boats to use the Slea at the moment.

I heard a Dabchick but didn’t see one, there were quite a few ‘teenager’ and ‘baby’ Moorhens around so they have done quite well again. Still some ducklings around but there didn’t seem to be that many that had survived to nearly ‘adult-hood’. No Swans, no Coots in fact nothing else really, even the fairly reliable Common Lizards didn’t make an appearance on such a sunny day – I would have put money on them basking in it.

Allan told me

admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:38:41 +0000

Allan told me today that we have a pair of Dabchicks on the Slea, hope they nest and successfully bring up a family

We now have…

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:51:15 +0000

We now have 6 baby Moorhens Just like this one…

Also some ducklings but no Dabchicks, Coots or Swans.

Bad and Good…

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:01:00 +0000

The Bad first, there is a duck on the Slea with one wing almost hanging off, the most likely cause of this is a dog that was not under control. This duck will never fly again and will also probably die soon because it will not be able to get away if another dog attacks it

Another Bad is that the nest I mentioned a few days ago is not there now so it has been predated, whether this is by humans, dogs, cats or more natural forces is unclear. The Good is that I saw a single duckling near the Hub, I am not sure if its mum was nearby or not ? and there was a family of 10 ducklings further downstream. This cannot be from the nest I mentioned as there were only a few eggs in that one and ducks tend to lay an egg every other day and then they are all incubated starting at the same time (so they all hatch within a few hours of each other) which takes another 20-25 days.

RSPCA wildlife inspectors are investigating…

admin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:31:00 +0000

RSPCA wildlife inspectors are investigating after a group of around 100 Mallard ducks with their wings clipped were abandoned on the River Slea.

… full story http://www.sleafordstandard.co.uk/news/features/quack_team_to_monitor_mystery_duck_invasion_1_2488817

…Very SAD.