ONGOING WORK AT COLLEGE LAKE

A couple of weeks back BBOWT invited the Bucks Bird Club along to College Lake to mark the end of phase 1 of developments there: I went as BBC rep and thought you'd all appreciate a quick update on what I learned:Phase 1, toilet block and new `Barn' for use as classroom and interim visitor centre is complete.Phase 2, the new visitor centre will begin construction this month. College Lake will NOT close during construction. This is an impressive `eco' building which will form an entrance from the carpark (some drawings are in the Barn). Incidentally College Lake will be open Bank Holiday Mondays this year…The water level: pumping from Marsh to Lake is about to start (may already have started). As to overall level – well, it is higher than expert predicted maximum. Reeds have been planted along the lakeside of the bund as a wave protection and new habitat. 3 new `Dexter' cows are coming to replace the hairy cows. So those of you whao have been chased by the highlanders are now quite safe! There will be a path along the road up from the canal; British Waterways at some point will put in a footbridge which connects via bridlepath. There'd then be safe foot access alongside (outside)a new hedge and fence. (Unofficially I hear that the intended clearing work for the path didn't go as intended – contractors seem to have cleared, not laid, existing hedging). Anyway, most of the work is now done and the cleared bits should now start re-generating. I realise that many birders like to see things stay the same (I'm usually one of them) but I think the development will turn out a positive thing. I'll be expanding on this in the BBC bulletin – would like to hear your views. regards (Ed Griffiths)