Leadgate (Bradley) opencast. Update by drone. June 2021

Work continues removing the surrounding embankment and spreading topsoil and landscaping. Continuously switching the drone between Normal and Sport mode to compensate for the wind.
Shame they filled in the ponds, although the steep side were probably a bit dangerous.
Music:
Lost at sea.
By Tracktribe.

[@davidpaterson7418]

Site looking great from the air.... Few weeks and it will be restored... Dangerous pitfalls removed, footpaths reopened and land much better... Great footage

[@assessorjohn]

Yes, I thought so too. I’m hoping to get in early to get pictures of the wildlife that will ‘never return’. I’ve already had the drone dive bombed by a red kite. Shame those ponds were completely filled, I was watching swallows drinking on the wing from a partially filled one - or maybe it was displaced water from one - about a week ago. I’ve really enjoyed following the progress of the opencast and watching the staggering volume of materials that were moved. Thanks for the message, really pleased you enjoyed the video.

[@davidpaterson7418]

@@assessorjohn Yes ponds were not designed to be left John. The "green spot" in the middle of the cultivations at 00'50" was a bird nest that was found prior to cultivations so we stood off this until the eggs hatched and young flew...
The wildlife is still there... Deer, Hare, Rabbits and many others in abundance.... Site should be finished weather permitting by 9th July. The Bellmouth comes out the following week and job will be complete.

[@maceyevo]

Thanks for all your time on this john , it’s been great to watch the progress

[@assessorjohn]

Thanks for watching and commenting Stephen.

[@PhilMc00]

This is great!

[@assessorjohn]

Cheers Phil.

[@kurtjurgen]

Fantastic :-)

[@assessorjohn]

Thanks Kurt.

[@onecanmadman]

great videos, we live in Dipton, very interested to see how it all turns out!

[@assessorjohn]

Thank you. Apparently it’s going to completed by the end of July, quite a bit sooner than expected ( September). I’ll have to find myself another project for the drones now.

[@in2gadgets]

Fantastic :-)