Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus At Alresford Watercress Beds
I saw this Green Sandpiper at Alresford Watercress Beds on a dull day in late December. Being rather shy and secretive I had only seen one fleetingly at considerable distance before. Watercress had always grown in the wild in the chalk streams and ditches around Alresford. It was far too perishable to be transported by horse and cart on poor roads but with the coming of the railway in 1865 it could be transported quickly to markets in London and the Midlands opening up commercial possibilities. The line became known as the Watercress Line. In 1925 'beds' were introduced, as photographed here, using only 'chalk filtered water' from bore-holes. The water level was kept constant by sluices, as seen here. This reduced contamination from river water.
However, the beds attract snails, worms, freshwater shrimps and such like providing a food source for waders like the Green Sandpiper and other birds.
Thank you all for your kind responses.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus At Alresford Watercress Beds
I saw this Green Sandpiper at Alresford Watercress Beds on a dull day in late December. Being rather shy and secretive I had only seen one fleetingly at considerable distance before. Watercress had always grown in the wild in the chalk streams and ditches around Alresford. It was far too perishable to be transported by horse and cart on poor roads but with the coming of the railway in 1865 it could be transported quickly to markets in London and the Midlands opening up commercial possibilities. The line became known as the Watercress Line. In 1925 'beds' were introduced, as photographed here, using only 'chalk filtered water' from bore-holes. The water level was kept constant by sluices, as seen here. This reduced contamination from river water.
However, the beds attract snails, worms, freshwater shrimps and such like providing a food source for waders like the Green Sandpiper and other birds.
Thank you all for your kind responses.