BLACKHEATH POND – STILL A LOCAL DISGRACE!

I’m usually writing positive, upbeat stories about Blackheath, so this is pretty disappointing.

What a ghastly mess the pond at Soldiers’ Memorial Park is. We have had plenty of rain recently, but the level keeps dropping every day. Is it leaking?

This wood duck thinks is less stressful to keep his eyes closed than to look at his surroundings.

I suspect his mates are saying a little prayer.

Two domestic ducks were dumped here recently and are showing what they think of their new home. Only problem is that when they dive they risk hitting their heads on the bottom!

Even on a cold winter day the pond stinks! No wonder the resident cormorant looks so annoyed. Imagine what the smell will be like when the weather warms up.

There are more old tyres on show than ducks. The cormorant once sat here fishing, but no more and who can blame him?

It’s school holidays soon, so I doubt we can expect any improvement before then (sorry kids). But let’s hope it will be looking better by spring. I should give the final glare of annoyance to the cormorant. Neither he nor the duck want to venture in.

Kids had been feeding bread to this couple (bit naughty of them) They wanted to hop in and wash their beaks, but were understandably hesitant.

UPDATE – JULY 8 Sadly, the pond is smellier than ever, and it would now be possible to walk to the little ‘island’ barely getting your feet wet.

Residents meeting about to get underway. I suspect a petition will be presented to the Mayor.