Islands ahoy in Earlswood lake (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Islands ahoy in Earlswood lake

10:25am Thursday 18th December 2008

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Environmentalists are hoping there will be plenty more fish in the Lower Lake at Earlswood Common after work aimed at benefiting its wildlife.

Five small floating islands have been installed and anchored in the Lower Lake to improve its ecology and provide shelter and cover for fish and other wildlife.

Each of the islands is made up of a floating coir pad two metres square, planted with native aquatic plants.

Beneath the water though, a metal mesh cage provides the fish with a refuge from predators - especially cormorants which visit the lakes in the winter.

Studies carried out by Natural England on similar sites have found that refuges like these can reduce fish loss from a lake by up to 80%.

If the cormorants find they are not able to catch enough fish in the lake, they will simply move elsewhere.

The islands follow a range of improvements to the lake which have come through Reigate and Banstead borough council working with partner organisations including the Environment Agency, Thames Water and Earlswood Angling Alliance.

The ongoing work of volunteer bodies such as Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers and the Earlswood Common Management Group also contributes to the upkeep of Earlswood Common.

An angling licence is in place between the council and Earlswood Angling Alliance, with angling on the Lower Lake now only permitted to anglers who hold a season ticket from the Angling Alliance and an EA rod licence.

Angling is not permitted on the Upper Lake, which is retained as a haven for wildlife.

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