Tough as Old Boots

 

I first photographed this badly injured Muntjac back in April 2021. At that time it had one ear and many nasty looking injuries, including a deep wound on it's neck. I suspected it had been hit by a car. Today nearly three years on we met again - it still seems to have only two bits of ears, but otherwise looks fine, proving what tough old boots munties are.

Planning Appeal Dismissed

 Great News - the Planning Appeal against refusal to develop the land adjacent to the Nature Reserve has been dismissed and the site therefore remains safe from development for what we hope is a good few years.

More details can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/712891355444118

Guided walk for waterbirds with Andy Harding 17.12.23

Andy is the former county Bird Recorder for Buckinghamshire and visits Linford Lakes Nature Reserve every month to count waterbirds for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

Fifteen of us gathered in the car park on a bright and dry morning in December 2023. Andy began by explaining how he counts all the waterbirds at the reserve and surrounding lakes each month. He then sends the records to the BTO for including in the Wetlands Bird Survey. We started off by counting 8 Great Crested Grebes on Blackhorse Lake and then noticed two groups of Lapwings coming together high over our heads, in a loose flappy flock of alternating black and white shapes. Some of us needed more practice at counting large moving flocks but the consensus was an estimated 120 birds. 

We then moved on to the reserve past the Sand Martin bank which was constructed in 2019 by the Friends group. It successfully hosted some nests in the pipe chambers this year. Andy pointed out the large permanent light trap for moths next to the centre building. We walked past the carved wooden bench installed as a memorial to the late Gordon Redford who was a long-standing moth recorder here, faithfully identifying and releasing the night’s catch over many years. The carvings included representations of Scarlet Tiger, Clifden Nonpareil, and, demurely on the reverse side, one that Gordon liked to call Large Yellow Underpants (actually Underwing). 

On the main lake viewed from the Warbler Hide we could see a good number of 12 Shovelers which breed in north and west Europe; a Great Egret becoming a more common resident in Milton Keynes; and 8 Little Egrets, also increasing their UK populations. There were 2 Pochard, much fewer than the numbers that used to come for the winter, probably because they have found just as amenable wintering grounds closer to their breeding sites in eastern Europe.

On the way to the furthest hide, the Heronry Hide, we spotted a group of active Siskins feeding in the alders, and noted a Goldcrest and Great Spotted Woodpecker. From the hide we saw a smart male Goldeneye, a species which spends some of the winter locally in small numbers, more in North Bucks than in the south of the county. It kept us guessing as it spent a lot of time disappearing under water. But then it had a rest to preen so we all had good views. Other birds were 43 Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, Teal, and a few Mallard, a duck that is decreasing in numbers. Hiding among the trees on the island were 10 Little Egrets. One of them was just standing with its legs in the water which seemed unusual but perhaps it found the water warmer than the air. The wind had become stronger and ruffled the plumed feathers on its back. Andy reminded us that it was to preserve this species from being shot for fashionable feathered hats that led to the origin of the RSPB. The island is also home to Grey Herons, which begin thinking about breeding there in January. Herons manage to move among the branches, if looking rather ungainly, but Andy pointed out that Cormorants also nest in trees despite their webbed feet. 

After a final check and a chat in the Otter Hide, the group thanked Andy for leading the group in such a friendly and informative session.

Update on Appeal re Planning Application - 18/10/23

Letter from MK Planning Department 18/10/23

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (AS AMENDED)

APPEAL BY Templeview Developments Limited
AGAINST REFUSAL FOR
(1) Full application for the change of use of 68.65ha of agricultural land to a linear park and a new access road to the Linford Lakes Study Centre with associated works including the stopping up of the public road in Stanton Low and demolition of the Marle Inn; and (2) Outline application (matter of access to be considered, with matters of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reserved) for up to 277 extra care apartments (Use Class C2); a care home providing up to 70 bedrooms (Use Class C2); up to 41 retirement bungalows (Use Class C3) and up to 196 homes (Use Class C3) with communal amenity space and other associated works.
AT Linford Lakes , Wolverton Road, Milton Keynes , MK14 6GH

EIA development (submission of new EIA information, 30 day consultation)

Appeal Reference: APP/Y0435/W/23/3321221

We are writing to advise you that the appellant for the appeal has submitted further EIA information, which the Inspector has accepted as part of the appeal documentation. He has asked me to notify of this and give you an opportunity to make comments on it. You have 30 days from the date of this letter (by 17th November 2023) to comment on the new information.

The new EIA information can be viewed at Public Inquiry – 21/02533/OUTEIS – Linford Lakes | Milton Keynes City Council (milton-keynes.gov.uk)

Work Party Sunday 24th September - 10 am Start

Just a reminder that we will be carrying out work to finish painting the warbler hide and bridge and to cut back surrounding vegetation. Your support would be very welcome so please do come and join us if you can. All tools and equipment will be provided but please wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring gloves if you have them although we do have a small supply of spares.

We start at 10 am and aim to be finished for 1pm.

Appeal Against Refusal of Planning Permission Update 17/08/23

The appellant has been asked to provide further information and they have therefore requested the appeal hearing be delayed. Follow the link below for further information.

Letter from Planning Inspectorate:

Dear all

Further to my email below, I write to confirm that the inquiry will open at 10.00am on Tuesday 5 December 2023, sitting 5-8 December and 12-15 December.

Proofs of evidence are due on Tuesday 7 November 2023.

These dates supersede the deadlines set out in the CMC summary note issued on the 4 July 2023. If deemed necessary, the Inspector will issue a revised timetable following publication of the additional information relating to the Environmental Statement.

Kind regards Holly

Holly Dutton

Inquiries and Major Casework Team

The Planning Inspectorate

Appeal Against Refusal of Planning Permission - Update 22.06.23

 MK Councils defence of their decision and arguments against the appeal can be seen at:

https://npaedms.milton-keynes.gov.uk/PublicAccess_Corplive/SearchResult/RunThirdPartySearch?FileSystemId=DC&FOLDER1_REF=21/02533/OUTEIS