30 Days Wild 2021 – Day 14 – Ponds/Lakes – Perch

Following on from yesterdays post on Pike, today I am looking at the Perch (Perca fluviatilis), another predator in Ponds and Lakes.

The Perch is one of my favourite fish and one that I do catch more than any other. It has a set of distinctive tiger strip markings of a deep green that stand out against the lighter greens along is body. Although the two Perch in these photos are small ones, the biggest Perch in the UK caught weighed in at 6lb 3oz, but its is expected that a bigger Perch is out there to be caught.

Along the back of the Perch a spiny dorsal fin gives it a distinctive look when in the water. Almost like its supposed to be in Jurassic Park.

A typical Perch can live between 10 and 12 years and lives in most of the UK’s canals and waterways.

Perch hunt for smaller fish and crayfish along waterways and thrive in gravel pits.

As with all my catches, fish care is number 1.

30 Days Wild 2021 – Day 13 – Ponds/Lakes – Pike

Following on from yesterdays post about Coots, today I’m looking at the Pike (Esox), which has most probably eaten a couple of the Coots babies as they paddled around on the surface. To a Pike the dark silhouette of something small making some splashing patterns is easy prey. They have also attacked people before – Man attacked reaching from sunglasses after they have fallen into a canal.

Don’t panic though and “We won’t need a bigger boat!“. As an angler, this is a fish that deserves respect and definitely care when handling as these fish can be big and do have some sharp teeth. They are strong and can easily thrash about when caught and its one to learn how to handle them before going to catch one. After care is essential!

Pike live in ponds/lakes, canals and rivers and are one of the top predators of the water. They belong to a genus called “Esox”. The Pike that live in the UK are Northern Pike (Esox lucius) and grow to around 50cm.

There have been some record Pike caught measuring up to 150cm and weighing around 28kg.

Pike can breed from the age of 2, and Pike have been known to change sex if there are only males in a water.

Where food sources are scarce Pike will turn to cannibalism and eat other Pike for food. Newborns start with small prey such as daphnia and then as they grow, they move to bigger prey. Large Pikes have been seen to take an adult duck.

They glide effortlessly in the water and will use bursts of energy to chase down any prey the sight. Certainly one of the top predators in UK waters.

30 Days Wild 2021 – Day 12 – Ponds/Lakes – Coots

Sitting at the fishing lake today, a family of Coots (Fulica atra) were swimming around. The family were, mum, dad, juvenile and a baby.

Bit sad that there was only one baby with the as last weekend there were 2 others making 3. Thats the circle of life. Possibly taken by predators such as Pike, Heron or Fox. More likely to be a Pike as there are a couple of big ones on the pond/lake.

Coots are a water bird that make their nests in reedbeds or along the banks in cover. At the pond, they make a nest on a floating island so protected from preadators. Until they come out in the open.

The Coot has a distinctive shield white bill marking on the front of their heads.

Hopefully this family will survive as is going forward.

There are other species of Coots that fall under the Genus Fulica.

30 Days Wild 2021 – Day 11 – In the Garden – Green Orb-Weaver Spiders

In the Garden this evening (Bit later with writing the blog post today), came across a Green Orb-Spider (Araniella cucurbitina) busy between the leaves on my Pyrocantha also called Fire Thorn hedge.

A small UK spider at around 6mm found commonly throughout the UK. Identifiable with its green abdomen and green brown body, also known as the “Cucumber green spider”.

Need to do some more research into this spider. Although common, not seen any before. That camouflage works well!

Have you seen one before?

30 Days Wild 2021 – Day 10 – On the beach – Sand Dunes

Returning to the beach today to have a broad look at Sand Dunes.

Around the UK you will find Sand Dunes that form small or even large mounds of sand that are bound together with different grasses and plants. Typically Sand Couch (Sporobolus virginicus) and Marram Grass (Ammophila) make up the grass varieties with deep roots that hold the sand together.

Mixing in between the grasses, plants and shrubs also take root and hold the sand dunes together. These all provide a special habitat for wildlife to live from Birds to Reptiles and Insects.

These are special places and there are some protected dunes to keep these habitats safe. When crossing dunes it is important to keep to the paths and not disturb the rest of the dune.

Some area such as the one pictured below in Anglesey is fenced to protect the Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), which makes its home and breeds in the dunes.

Most people cross dunes to get from a car park to a beach and often miss the wildlife hidden. Next time you are at some sand dunes, take a moment to stop and look around and see what you can spot. Remember to stay on the paths though!