Wednesday 19 January 2011

Hundreds of Fish Dead!

Well the harsh winter has taken its toll in the Forest of Dean, as we have seen mass fish fatalities on a local fishing pond.
Temperatures dipped to -10 and below during December, which saw a thick layer of ice on all water areas in the forest. Then came the heavy snowfall, which covered the ice, blocking out the sunlight.
Rotting vegetation absorbs a lot of oxygen and with no sunlight the plant life and algae died. As a result, hundreds of fish have died!

So far and hopefully this is the only pond affected and as a precaution, tests are being carried out on the dead fish.

This pond is known for having a lot of plant life and weed, so this is probably the reason.






Rob

Sunday 9 January 2011

A Mixed Bag

Gave the birds a feast earlier as we have some cold weather on the way. All the recent species, which were absent the last time I fed them turned up. All apart from the Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail and Tree Creeper.
The conditions were poor with a grey sky and not much light, but it was still good to get out and help them. Even a grey squirrel turned up!


Pied Wagtail



Dunnock



Cole Tit


Male Chaffinch


Grey Squirrel


Rob