QMR - more info

Above, unusually low water level in September 2003 Uniquely low levels in November 2003 - besides a spoonbill & a grey phalarope very little else has taken advantage Very near the Horton pit is Queen Mother Reservoir (above) - a MASSIVE surface of water. You need a permit to get access (and a visitor pass to get out of the gate) but this is only about £8/year and is a great place to have lunch. It can be spectacular - double figure velvet scoter but it can be a bit soul destroying on a cold, windy winter afternoon. A scope is a must. There is a web cam on the nearby Honda building and although it's not big enough to have it's own weather it does have it's own weather station with 10-minute updates on the internet. There are "chainage" plates all the way around the perimeter wall showing the metres of the circumference. They start, with "0" at the southern end (near the dilapidated bird hide) and work their way clockwise to the final one at 5300m. The pier is at 3750m. Some thoughtful observers will include the "chainage" in their reports - please do so if you have the opportunity - it is a great help!