The lake water is tested regularly. The last test was very good news, the level of algae is down and falling. This means we can use the lake again.
Hopefully, the algae will read the script and not have another growth burst. If you’ll excuse the expression, its a fluid situation!
What this does not mean is the lake is crystal clear and totally algae free. The best advice is still wash after contact and be cautious about dogs drinking the water.
The weather is still lovely so let the paddling commence!
With the warm weather and stable conditions, this has proved to be an ideal time to grow algae. As you can see from the photos.
We are still not allowed to use the lake. While this is a huge disappointment for us, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. If you were looking for that final push to take up paddling, this could be it. Paddlers are just the nicest group you could hope to meet. We couldn’t have asked for people to be more helpful with offers to get us back on the water.
The fine details, as always, take a little time to sort through, but we about to start with club members paddling and should be in a position to offer trial sessions very soon.
At least the greylag geese are happy with the water!
The lake is owned by Bournemouth Water. They regularly test the water quality, Unfortunately today’s test has found heightened levels of algae, the blue green kind. This is not good for the digestive system, and so understandably, they have said we have to stop using the lake until the levels are acceptable again. I’m far from an algae expert so I don’t know when that will be.
The practical upshot of this is we have had to cancel taster sessions. We will try to get back on the water soon.
In the mean time, take care and although the water looks clear the algae is there, while you may not drink it, your dog might. Its not good for them either apparently.
Apologies for the late update. I thought I’d already posted this but aparrently not.
Update on Garry the Goose
Not good news I’m afraid.
Garry had a good dose of antibiotics and pain relief. Unfortunately the infection was too bad and there was no sign of improvement. His wing was broken in several places and was considered to be unfixable.
He was not going to recover so sadly the decision was taken to put him to sleep.
It would be very easy to only see the negative side of this. We didn’t manage to safe Garry. But his suffering was kept to a minimum. A wild, infected, single winged bird was never going to have a long life.
We got to meet a really caring group in the Graylag project, and may be able to help them in the future. Thanks to Moyles Court Wildlife Rescue for their efforts.
What do you do if you are trying to catch a Greylag goose that has been shot and, understandably, doesn’t want to go near people?
Poole Park Greylag Goose Project had been trying to catch the goose for days, but when they got close, he hopped back onto the fishing lake and swam away. After being shot in the wing, he was unable to fly, things were not looking good for him.
Solution, get a group of ducks, or DUCKS. We were asked if we could help. So on Sunday morning we had a chance to perfect our goose herding skills. Some parts were easy, we met with Heidi and she explained what she needed. Drive the goose calmly to her and she would pluck him from the water, load him into her car and whisk him off to the wildlife hospital. Sounded simple, so off we went.
Three things quickly became clear. Firstly we didn’t really know what a greylag looks like. It has an orange beak really needed us to be close enough to see the beak! Secondly, they are the colour of the reeds, so spotting the bird against a reed background was not easy. Finally, they can swim fast!
Luck was on our side and with a bit of shouting and pointing we were directed towards him and found him near the bank. Not the bank with the recovery team, that would have been too easy. But having found him it was a simple matter of keeping an eye on him and holding him still until the team arrived.
Unfortunately, no one had told the goose that we needed him to stay still. He walked up the bank and vanished.
We looked for him for quite some time. Searching the reeds, both lakes and the trees. It was about now he was named Gary the Goose.
Gary by this time was identifying as a Canadian and hiding with a group of geese on lake 2. Starting from the far bank, we crossed the lake hoping to keep him in the corner near the slipway where he was swimming. Approaching the mini flock caused the canadians to fly away, but Gary was left in the water. We made several attempts to herd him to the bank, but he was quite the slippery character. After repeated attempts and some very agile swimming, a tired Gary was guided towards the reeds, getting close enough to Heidi so that she could catch him.
Fun facts. When swimming quickly a greylag lowers its head to the water and almost disappears. Even with a gunshot to the wing, a Greylag can dive and swim underwater for over 10 metres.
While we wanted to be the heroes of this situation, I think that honour must go to Heidi. Diving after Gary she filled her waders with cold January lake water. When he was close enough, nothing was going to stop her catching him!
Gary is now in the wildlife hospital as Gary the Goose, or #465. He’s booked in for surgery and we wish him well.
The warm weather finally arrived and it was time for a trip round Christchurch. This trip was for all club members, the last one was aimed at the adults. We had several who had not been on the river before and the new environment proved to be a popular hit.
Starting from the Bridge Street carpark we headed round the Avon Loop, passed the Priory. The bridges proved to be popular places for the non-paddling supporters to photograph the group. Then onto the Stour and passed the Quay. There was a food festival in full swing on The Quomps but we were not distracted. There was ice cream calling at Tuckton Tea Gardens.
After a refreshing stop we progressed further up the Stour. So far the trip had been against the flow of the river and into a fair breeze. It had been quite a challenge for the younger members. Now came the good part, the return. With the flow and the wind behind us, we made quick and easy progress back to the entrance of the Avon. The last leg was against the flow of the river to the carpark, but everyone made it in good time.
A fun trip of about 6km. Looking forward to the next one.
Our open day has happened. We welcomed many people to the lake , and caught up with some old friends.
The sun was out all day (not a given for our open days.) The wind was calm in the morning and a little fresher in the afternoon. There was splashing and laughter. There was tea and cake.
In fact it was such a good time that I forgot to take any photos!
The sun is still out, there are no winter gales and there is still splashing and laughter. The cake has dried up a bit but we have had a paddle and hot chocolate night.
The formal open day is over, but the invitation is still here. If you want to find an activity the whole family can enjoy, why not come and have a trial paddle?
