Duckweed Taking Over

Due to this rather extraordinary summer, the pond has been taken over by duckweed.

Picture by Richard Weedon, Leerdam Drive

Our pond is not the only local water to be affected; the Limehouse Basin is almost completely covered. The duckweed doesn't really do any harm except that it could deprive the fish of some oxygen. This is probably not a problem for our pond, however, because only half of it is affected. Wood Management is investigating methods of clearing it but it could be an expensive labour-intensive exercise. 

Incubation on High

High on the second floor balcony of Frans Hals Court, a female mallard  incubated her eggs.

So, when they hatched, how did the ducklings get to the pond? Well, it happened some years ago and, at that time, the mother just stood on the road underneath and called them down; they jumped off the balcony and fell to the ground and toddled off to the pond. This year was just the same. 11 ducklings!

Take-off		Off to the pond

Another day, another ship

HMS Albion - Picture by Simon Mennens - Vermeer Court