Geograph - photograph every grid square

Fenland muck heap

This looks as if it's just a mound of soil but there was a pool of slurry at the foot.

Further information provided by Mike Harrison, Dec 2008
"This is in fact chicken manure. Pre/Post cereal harvest some farmers receive the manure from poultry farms to spread on stubble and incorporate into the soil at a rate of 12-14 tonnes per hectare.The manure contains Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash essential for growth of many arable crops. The chicken farmer is happy as he can dispose of large tonnages of waste. The farmer is happy as he obtains a cheap source of organic manure. Rain leaches out some nutrients, hence the puddle which is very polluting if allowed into drains. This particular heap is, as in other years, only on this site for as short period and when spread must be incorporated in the soil within 24hours to avoid the ammonia smell bothering any householders."