Springwatch at the Sutton Mill Dam

Four new-born cygnets fresh on the water at the Sutton Mill Dam
When I was there last Friday the pen was still sitting on her nest incubating her eggs but was noticeably unsettled, no doubt missing her partner who was nowhere to be seen. I suspect the cob had been removed by the RSPCA for treatment. But as of Monday this week the pair were back together on the lake proudly showing off their new brood of four gorgeous, fluffy cygnets!

Wherever Mum goes, the four cygnets have to go too!
Whilst I was there I was told of a boy that had used a brick to "cave in a duck's head " over the half-term holidays, decapitating it. Later as I was taking pictures of the four cygnets from the west bridge, I spoke to a friendly chap who wondered whether the quartet would be able to survive the actions of the yobs. A very good question indeed.
The great crested grebes have also been breeding. Initially they carry their new-born on their backs as the mute swans do with their very young cygnets. In no time at all though the young grebes are almost as big as their parents but still dependent upon them for food. Mum and Dad grebe can regularly be observed diving into the waters of the Sutton Mill Dam for fish for their babes. Their young’s stripey head and neck (pic above right) does give them a certain pyjama look! Or is it toothpaste? Totally bald they’ve yet to grow their distinctive ornate head plumes which in the past have been a great attraction for hunters and which almost led to the great crested grebes becoming exterminated from the UK.
The mallards have also been breeding with nine ducklings observed in one brood. Constantly under threat from herons and yobs, the duck numbers on the Sutton Mill Dam never seem to increase. Ducklings do have another menace to contend with, female mallards, who sometimes kill youngsters who've strayed from another brood. The deadliest of the species…? This is not nice but it's nature and happens. You can't similarly excuse those who like to kill the wild fowl on the Mill Dam for kicks.
AS USUAL CLICK ON AN IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW AND FOR A NEW MILL DAM PHOTO ALBUM (15 pictures)
14/06/07 - A FLASH SLIDESHOW VERSION IS NOW AVAILABLE - CLICK HERE TO VIEW MILL DAM SPRINGWATCH '07
Sutton Mill Dam Health Check

The Peacock butterfly adding colour to the Sutton Mill Dam
The downside? Well considerable damage has been caused to a number of the angling platforms during winter with at least one set on fire. A few trees were damaged during the January gales with one now sprawled across the lake. Another fallen tree on a woodland path is inhibiting access to Clock Face Road (edit 3/4/07 it's now been cleared) . However, it's the dumped rubbish and overall condition of the wildlife park which is the main cause of concern. Standing on the west bridge I could count five tyres and one waste bin that had been dumped into the water nearby. I do wonder how often the council retrieves rubbish from the Mill Dam. It clearly happens but it doesn't seem to be more than a few times a year.

Several of the angler's fishing platforms have been damaged
In 2006 I spent many days at the dam making a video and taking photographs. I was very impressed by the number of locals who would regularly stop to talk to me. They were so passionate about the site and upset at its deterioration. One said "Prince Charles wouldn't recognise it if he came back ", referring to HRH's visit to the Sutton Mill Dam in 1988. Another wondered why those undertaking community service weren't delegated to improve the dam.
However, the Sutton Mill Dam gets a positive health check overall from me. It's just in some desperate need of that TLC. But then aren't we all!
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MILL DAM PHOTO-ALBUM






