Cyn's Nature Notes: Gollum the goldfish and the heron

Monday 7 May 2012

Gollum the goldfish and the heron

A productive day, the small pond has needed clearing and today we did it. A smelly job that required wellies and a bucket. Perhaps we will put a couple of goldfish in it.

Many years ago we had several frogs living there and we introduced one goldfish, neither he nor they were fazed and all lived happily together for a couple of years. At one end we made a shelter from large slabs, during the very cold weather the pond always appeared empty, but investigating under the slabs would always result in finding the fish and the frogs huddled together. The goldfish was orange with larger than average eyes, and we named him Gollum.

One summer we decided to put Gollum in the larger pond with the other fish, we wondered what his reaction to them all would be. We didn't have long to wait, he was amazing he was so excited, from being a slow, steady swimmer in his little pond with the frogs, he suddenly became alive. He didn't just meld in or join in, he became obsessed with the other fish he chased them tirelessly. This continued for days and we were just beginning to wonder if he would ever settle down, when the problem was solved.

We awoke one morning, went to the pond to see if he had settled down, only to find the heron had visited the pond earlier and eaten all the fish. Poor Gollum, he was so happy to be with the other fish but if we had left him in his own little pond, he would have been fine, he did enjoy being with the other fish so much that I know I will never put only one in a pond again.

The small pond has been without fish ever since, but I've a feeling it won't be for long!

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.