The Ibis Pool - a brief history
click on photos to enlarge
In 2015 a local farmer drained part of Carr Lane Pools and probably as a result of this work the flooded field began to develop on the other side of Carr Lane. In April 2016 when we viewed the pools a glossy ibis was present and the Ibis Pool was born.
The Ibis Pool © CAC
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The Glossy Ibis. © FoPP
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Over the next few months the birds visiting the site were many and varied. Mallards, moorhens and coot all set out to breed there and were later joined by gadwalls, shovelers and shelducks. Lapwings and redshanks were the first waders to breed nearby. The success rated varied but soon lots of young birds were visible on the pools.
Mallard ducklings. © CAC
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Pair of shelducks. © CAC
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Gadwall pair. © CAC
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Moorhen. © CAC
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Male shoveler & coot. © CAC
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Lapwing & chick. © CAC
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During the Spring migration waders used the pool as a stop-over to feed up, wash and relax. As the pool was partly obscured from the road by a good hedge and the area was on private land the birds took full advantage. Ruff and wood sandpipers particularly took to the new venue.
Ruff. © CAC
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Greenshank. © RPC
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Wood sandpiper. © M Roberts
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Over the winter snipe were very common visitors and at least three water rails took up residence. On a couple of occasions a small party of pink-footed geese dropped by and little egrets were seen regularly. A Cettis warbler, a new bird for the district, arrived and was often heard but was seen only occasionally into the Spring. During the really cold snap we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a bittern as it flew out of (or over) the pools.
Over the winter snipe were very common visitors and at least three water rails took up residence. On a couple of occasions a small party of pink-footed geese dropped by and little egrets were seen regularly. A Cettis warbler, a new bird for the district, arrived and was often heard but was seen only occasionally into the Spring. During the really cold snap we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a bittern as it flew out of (or over) the pools.
Snipe. © M Roberts
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Little egret on nearby hedge. © RPC
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Flock of pink-footed geese by the Ibis Pool. © CAC
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Spring migrants were similar to last year but the addition of a pair of garganey added a frisson of hope: certainly the male was still in residence but as the female is very secretive in the breeding season we are not certain if they were breeding. We are certain that the reed beds that had developed over the year held breeding pairs of reed bunting, reed warbler and sedge warbler. Marsh harriers and hobby have been regular visitors too.
Male garganey. © D. Craven
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Hobby. © M Roberts
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Sedge warbler. © M Roberts
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Reed bunting. © CAC
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During this time the RSPB were contacted with a view to them creating a reserve in the area, together with Carr Lane Pools and Hale Marsh. Although initially they seemed very keen, sadly nothing materialised. Other possibilities were also tried with no success. The farmer was on higher level stewardship at this time and was keen to cooperate.
Sadly on 19th May, while we were away on holiday, the pools were drained, stewardship had ended and the farmer wanted to put the land back into production. Although he should have chosen a better time to drain the pools as birds were breeding, he was quite within his rights to do so. Letters and phone calls to relevant parties again proved ineffectual and we have now lost this vital and beautiful place in Hale. |
Sunset at the Ibis Pool. © CAC
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The Ibis Pool . © D Craven
The ditch alongside the Ibis pool was cleared. © Mike Roberts
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A hole was scraped to drain the pools. © Mike Roberts
The drained Ibis Pool. © Mike Roberts
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