Borrow Pit :: 26 April 2016

Got a message from @grimsbury_birds that @987jonty had found a male garganey at the 'Borrow Pit'. Since Banbury flooded in 1998, the Environment Agency has been working on a comprehensive scheme to protect the town from flooding. The construction of the flood alleviation bunds will reduce the risk of river flooding to a 1 in 200 year standard. As part of the flood alleviation scheme a large borrow pit was constructed. This is now filled with water and is referred to as the 'Borrow Pit pool'. There are plans being developed to turn this area into a country park to maintain and enhance this important flood plain habitat. This was the first time I'd visited so took a moment to get my bearings. Light was starting to fade and there was the threat of more snow / hail / rain in chilly temperatures. Met @Vanellus26 who had also just arrived - we meet at last. The male garganey had stayed and we had good but distant views. Another year tick.