Floods!

It had to happen - after one of the driest winter periods on record, heavy rains have put all our rivers into bank-high spate. The Tamar reached 2.5 metres by mid-morning, with the Thrushel covering the fields on Beat 5. We can only hope and pray for the safety of all the eggs in the gravel, but with the potentially named storm 'Doris' due tomorrow with more heavy rain and 70m.p.h. gales, who knows how much damage could ensue.
The little gang of Tufted ducks on Tinhay Lake, varying almost daily in composition but up to 3 drakes and 3 ducks at times, have now disappeared. They have been around for a good couple of months, but have obviously been tempted elsewhere by the now prolific flashes. The level of the Lake is still well down, and hopefully should not cover the grass for the start of this season. Reservoir levels throughout the South west are also still remarkably low, no doubt South West Water are feeling slightly relieved by this rain.
Alex is at this moment on a plane somewhere this side of New Zealand, he has suffered from some severe gales out there in the past month, so the lad should feel quite at home when he returns to Lifton tomorrow.
Hazel catkins are well out, currently almost horizontal in the wind. Having caught a pilchard on a fly a couple of weeks ago, I feel very content to rest on my marine laurels for a while, the sea can wait for calmer times.
Cheers to all. David