Where these pochard drakes are swimming was dry a week before (the females spend the winter around the Med.) We're looking at the Ouse Washes; created 200 years ago by Dutch engineers to handle winter floodwater by spreading it over pastures between dykes. All over the area there has been high water, but no homes damaged. Just fields flooded, bridges closed and roads blocked. It's all very scenic, but, as the floods get more and more erratic in their occurrence, it gets harder to manage these wet meadows for wildlife. Winter floods are great for wintering wildfowl, but spring and summer floods are a real problem for breeding waders.
As for the Stevensons, we are mostly fine. Nick has been a bit run down at college, so I drove over to Hereford to get him for the week-end. He's playing with Dan while I cook and write. Hanna has been decorating the guest room.
Its going to be a nice week-end at home with Nick and Dan.
Jim
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