Two Fishes Saved!

The lack of rain this summer has had one extreme result:   the pond down at the Farmhouse became just one large mud-puddle.   But in that puddle were two carp which I had put in many years ago as weed-eaters - carp are vegetarian - to try and keep the water clear. 

Clear waters in a pond ringed by flowering plants and grasses were supposed to attractive flying insects, not least the dragonfly.  The original carp were perhaps about 20 cms long..

To keep the water aerated I also installed a small, electric power fountain. The frogs loved it, in the evenings one could hear the mid-wife toad bosting about the load of eggs on his back.

So yes, this worked.   The dragon flies duly appeared in their season, butterflies came also, the odd bird would take a flying scoop across the surface of the pond. A cherry tree flourished on its bank.

But the pond did not have its own source of water. Situated at the bottom of the road to the Farmhouse, - it was mostly filled by rain infiltration percolating through the earth from the road above. Winter rains were essential to pond life. And the carp grew bigger and bigger on their plant diet, the weeds grew ever less.  The pond became a mud puddle housing two very large carp.

Stephanie and Martin decided the carp needed to be rescued and transferred to our road- side pond which is long and deep. So, booted and armed with a laundry basket and a paddle - and patience - the two courageous fishers set about the task of rescue.    It worked.

They are now safely in the larger pond which will soon be weed and water lentil free.