Martin Mere

Mere Sands Wood late morning, very pleasant amble, and then to Martin Mere for soup and tea.

The chap with the wheelbarrow was giving a commentary on the natural history of the Whooper Swan. These birds will soon be off back to Iceland for their breeding season,  having put on plenty of fat reserves to fuel their long distance flight. They are magnificent birds - in this context it can be difficult to remember that they are such wild birds. Their wing length to weight ratio at this time of year just about lets them take off, but they need those energy reserves.

Martin Mere was very busy - it is of course the beginning of half term, and good to see so many kids there. In the middle ages, and before it was drained, it was the largest lake in England. Much of the former lake is now one big vegetable garden.