FOPP Newsletter September 2016
Hello to all friends as we move into Autumn 2016.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN UPDATE OF EVENTS AND ONGOING MATTERS:
We have been awarded BRONZE for our wetlands. Phase 2 will start on the wetlands probably in 2017, to provide seating, information boards and walkways through the wetlands.
As some will be aware and others may have noticed we no longer have the 7 cygnets on the lake. As in the previous two years they failed to thrive and started to die off during August.
We called on the Swan Sanctuary for help and they have been wonderful I cannot express in words just how helpful they have been and still are being. Laurent (SS volunteer) was called in and removed 2 dead cygnets from the lake. They were taken to the sanctuary but were too decomposed for a post mortem.
2 cygnets missing not found. 3 surviving, these 3 were removed to sanctuary and are being treated for worms/parasites and happy to say several weeks later they are still thriving. At this time of writing the lab reports on the 3 survivors are not back. The 3 will now not be returned as the parents would chase them off.
The general feeling is that (a) their failure to thrive may be genetics passed on by parents. (b) worms and parasites may be the guilty parties (c) lack of natural nourishment to sustain healthy cygnet growth or a combination of same. The Sanctuary has advised a healthy eating plan in the hope that correct feeding will produce healthy eggs next year. A swans natural diet is grains and greenery. It is ok to feed some bread, brown with seeds preferable to white, also wheat grain, greens, cabbage, lettuce, and from tins garden peas, carrot, sweetcorn. If you can when visiting the park please help us feed with these left overs. They also eat willow tree leaves but unable to reach now so a few of these are good too if you can pluck and feed to them. The pet shop in Silver Street also stocks swan and duck floating pellets.
As you can see our attention has been taken mainly by the wildfowl crisis this month, the condition of the lake regarding litter, scum, and the outfall is still being pressed by us to LBE, you can all do your bit for this by reporting via 'LBE report it' option on their website www.new-enfield.gov.uk
Our attention has also been taken up by the condition of the Yacht pond, a site visit by LBE has been negotiated also a amphibian expert from Sanctuary to advise us, so hopefully we will see a improvement there.
Tennis Courts, these have been jet washed this week and an assessment made of the condition of the flooring, I had a look at the condition yesterday and the tarmac has indeed lifted up and cracked making it an unsuitable playing surface, I have been led to believe by LBE a new surface will be laid shortly.Barbecue's, these have been a real problem this summer and although we have advised folk it is prohibited they still light them. Please report using the 'report it' system if you see any.
Communication has been opened with LBE about this so hoping for some action for next summer's season.Litter. Hand litter picking by LBE staff has been carried out most mornings early, and white bags collected later in the day by small truck.
Toilets, what can I say disgusting, reporting by us on going. Motor cycles have been using Pymmes recently. This is actually illegal .....please report to us or the police on 101 if seen. If you wish to communicate with us or report any misdemeanours within Pymmes please feel free to tell us via our message page.
Thank you.
Jenny Jenkins Chair
Margaret Baker Vice Chair
FOPP
