The Bagsy Blog: Fish Out of Water

Saturday, 15 March 2014

Fish Out of Water - Tears For Fears

Yet another sparkling Spring-like day and one that was spent mostly on the Farm followed by a quick circuit of Longham and a peek into the Gravel Pit. One long outstanding item here has been to check out the abundance of small Fish at Parley Pond and endeavour to identify them as to species.

All in the 3 Moth Traps this morning was this lone

CATERPILLAR

thought to be that of either Rufous or Marbled Minor Moth?

and as a welcoming committee this male MALLARD was
almost on the front door step as I set out for the pond!

The return of the Prodigal

There have been a number of reports that 'the'
LITTLE GREBE
had returned, but this morning I saw it for myself!

MOORHEN in the MIST

PARLEY POND
stretching into the distance and the small waterfall which forms
the 'overspill' to the pond and then continues to run under the road.

It then forms this tiny subsidiary pond,

which is teaming with small Fish, before emptying into the
River Stour
by way of a small brook.

Armed with Hugh's dip-net and a slice of Janet's
home made bread (that nothing or no one can resist) the task

of catching a few specimens was very easy not to mention
reminiscent of Childhood Days.
Having taken a few photographs the walk was continued via

the already mentioned brook.
Here was found quiet a few Redwing,

DRONE FLY - Eristalis tenax

on DANDELION

an example of (Common) GORSE which I am told needs careful
study of the flower to determine Common oppose to Western Gorse.
A little beyond me, so sorted by John Gifford.

The walk terminated at the
RIVER STOUR
as I was anxious to get to Longham Lake to try and secure
the ID of the Fish.

Invited by the Water Bailiff, Ian Heyward, into the Inner Sanctum of the

Education Centre
(a fine purpose built construction)
we pawed through the Field Guide and agreed this is a

MINNOW

However, the second specimen was to cause something of a problem and by the time I left the riddle remained unsolved. Along the way no fewer than 4 'anglers' were consulted and shown the pictures, with a resultant 4 different answers ranging from Roach to Chub. In addition the images were sent to John who's ID of all things wild I have come to rely on, so will go with his finding of DACE. If you know differently Prey Tell!