Electrifying

There were Avocets and a large flock of Godwits at the Leighton Moss saltmarsh pools today, but they had all retreated a long way from the hides.

The reason for their retreat was that RSPB staff were installing an electric fence all the way round one of the large pools. It is the pool with shallow water and several sandy islands favoured by the nesting Avocets. The fence is to deter predators, mainly foxes I think, who prey on both eggs and chicks.
Unfortunately the Avocets also have to defend their nests against many aggressive Gulls.

My extra shows something we have not seen before. Near to one of the hides these Barnacles had established a good sized colony on a large piece of black plastic piping. Always something new to find if you look.