On a walk round the pond last September I bumped into a fisherman and we got chatting about the different types of fish at the pond. As part of this he showed me a good-sized bream that he’d caught earlier. It had a cut on it’s head which was perhaps due to a close shave with a hungry cormorant.
The fisherman put some antiseptic gel on to the wound (see below) and then released the fish back into the pond.
Click pictures to enlarge.
Photos: David Pottinger
Cathy Holden (FPS) and Becky Lemon (Johns Associates)
Tom Styles, of Johns Associates, writes:
As you will have no doubt noticed, the next phase of the dredging to deepen Fleet Pond and island building to create more varied areas for the wildlife in and on the Pond has started in earnest. To check that the effects of the machinery working in the water and the inevitable disturbances are controlled and minimised, Johns Associates have been undertaking regular water quality testing, in addition to the routine monitoring carried out by the Environment Agency.
Two “lucky” Fleet Pond Society members joined Becky Lemon from Johns Associates on one extremely sunny Sunday in September to complete initial water quality sampling for the latest Autumn 2012 works. Monitoring for the current works is on-going and results will be issued once completed and reviewed.
Over the course of the Spring 2012 works, we sampled the water quality at least once a fortnight, taking with us two main pieces of kit. The first of these measures turbidity, which is the amount of light that can pass through a water sample; an indication of suspended particles. The second measures a large number of water quality factors including dissolved oxygen.
Figure 1. Map of Water Quality Sample Points At Fleet Pond
The results showed that at much of the lake the turbidity remains low. The results from March 2012 show that the highest levels of turbidity in the lake were at site 13 on the north eastern margins of the lake (shown ringed in the map above), where works were taking place at this time.
Despite these readings being high compared to normal levels, they were still below levels that would cause serious harm to fish (see Figure 2) unless maintained over a protracted length of time, measureable in weeks or months. They quickly returned to close to pre-works levels after the contractors left the lake in March 2012.
Figure 2. Effects Of Turbidity on Fish Activity
(Schematic adapted from “Turbidtiy: A Water Quality Measure”, Water Action Volunteers, Monitoring Factsheet Series, UW-Extension, Environmental Resources Centre)
The other main indicator is the amount of dissolved oxygen in the lake water. Figure 3 shows how levels of dissolved oxygen can affect fish in a lake. It is essential that this remains sufficiently high otherwise fish will start to suffer, and could result in fish deaths.
The European Union’s Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) details maximum acceptable levels for this indicator: if the levels fall below this, further action, firstly in the form of additional or changes to the existing silt curtain, introduction of portable aeration and potentially a temporary stopping the works.
Figure 3. Effect of Dissolved Oxygen on Fish Health
(Based on information from APHA.1995. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Amer. Publ. Health Assoc.)
The results from March 2012 show that all levels were high enough to support abundant fish populations, with even the lowest readings remaining above 9 parts per million (ppm). This is also firmly in the ‘Good’ category for the EU WFD.
These indicators will continue to be monitored by the team throughout the programme of works, and any causes for concern will be reported to the site management, the Environment Agency and or other relevant organisations to ensure that the quality of water in Fleet Pond is maintained.
There will be two bird walks at Fleet Pond on Sunday 16 December, guided by local bird expert Peter Hutchins. Both are free to attend and newcomers are very welcome.
The meeting place for both walks will be the car park on the north-eastern side of Fleet Pond (SU824553 OS Landranger map 186) – see here.
Morning walk, starting at 10:00 am with members of the RSPB
Afternoon walk, starting at 2:00 pm with members of Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS)
Peter Hutchins writes:
“I’ll be taking the two groups on a walk about the pond, taking in the woodland and other flanking habitats, looking primarily for water and woodland birds with special attention being paid to winter visitors.
Apart from the more expected species I’m hoping to locate, among others, Firecrest, Yellow-legged Gull, Mealy Redpoll and Water Rail, although not any of these are at all guaranteed!
On the latter walk we’ll also be looking for birds moving to roost, thrushes, finches, starling, gulls, wildfowl and buntings amongst those that could be heading to ‘bed’ as we continue the walk.”
If anybody would like further details about the walks, please contact Peter Hutchins directly via email or phone:
fieldfare@jaybry.gotadsl.co.uk or peter.hutchins@royalmail.com
07895 – 388378 or 01256 – 770831.
For information and photos on previous (and very popular) bird walks at Fleet Pond lead by Peter, please see here and here.
Colin Gray writes:
“I did a preview walk yesterday to check conditions for this Sunday’s conservation task. We will work up on the Dry Heath, close to the footpath that runs parallel to the railway line. There are a lot of birch seedlings and saplings to be removed. We will be joined by a team from the Guides and also a team from Wildlife Explorers. Wellingtons should not be necessary but I recommend strong shoes!
On the other side of the car park is a very large stack of cut birch from a wet day task when we could not have a fire. Some volunteers can follow the tractor and trailer over there and bring back the cut material to add to the fire.”
You can read about previous events involving the Guides here and Wildlife Explorers here.
Meeting arrangements:
We meet at the Countryside Workshop, Old Pump House Close (next to 65 Kenilworth Road) at 9.00 a.m. for a 9.15 start. Signposted directions to the site are available if anyone comes late.
Volunteers will need old clothing, waterproof if rain is expected, protective gloves and wellington boots (we have a supply of gloves and boots if you do not own these).
Current volunteers comprise a wide range of ages of both genders. We’re a very friendly bunch and we’re always keen to receive new volunteers, including students on the Duke of Edinburgh and Trident schemes.
Further details are available from:
Task Co-ordinator:
Colin Gray at 01252 616183 or colin@fleetpondsociety.co.uk
or
Task Leader:
David Buckler at 01252 521282 or david.buckler@talktalk.net
From Hart Countryside Services:
Tuesday 30th October, 6pm – 8pm – Halloween Walk around Fleet Pond
Join us for a scary evening at Fleet Pond. Venture for a walk full of surprises around the eerie Fleet Pond at night. Wear your scariest costume and win a prize.
Suitable for children aged 7+ and they must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking Essential. You can book online or phone 01252 623443 or email us on countryside@hart.gov.uk. £4 per adult and £2 per child. Payable on the day.