Trow Pool Wildlife
Below, and in no particular order, are some animals that I've seen while fishing at Trow. The list is not exhaustive and there're many more species that I've left off, so if you see something new then send me the details and I'll include it below.
American Signal
Crayfish
THESE crayfish are not native to this country but were introduced in the 1970s
to farm as food. They have since escaped into the wild and can be found in
many rivers, canals and still waters. They are gradually taking over from
our native White Clawed Crayfish which is smaller and no match for this bigger
and much aggressive species.
The American Signal
Crayfish is not welcome at Trow as it brings disease and destruction so if
you catch one then please remove it from the water. We have a licence from
the Environment Agency to trap and remove Signal Crayfish from Trow Pool and
this is carried out in the summer months. Photo shows crayfish taking bread
at Trow in the summer of 2005.
Heron
THERE is a Heron that sometimes
visits us at Trow Pool, but you have to get up early in the morning to see
it. It's a shy bird and will take to the wing as soon as it spots you and
will either fly away or settle in the trees nearby (sometimes near the island
end). If you're lucky and sneak up on it you can sometime see it near the
water where it feeds on small fish and hopefully the occasional Signal Crayfish.
Kingfisher
THIS is a beautiful bird to see flying low around Trow Pool and is easily
spotted due to its vibrant colours, especially the cobalt blue and I've seen
it (them) many times. If it's sitting patiently on a twig waiting to swoop
on small fish then you're unlikely to spot it unless you have good eyesight,
but once it takes to the wing you'll easily recognize it. I could do with
a nice picture of our little visitor so if you snap it, please send me the
photo.
Grebe
THESE are one of my favourite birds and are often resident at Trow Pool. They
live in harmony with the anglers and are kind enough never to take any bait,
instead they can be seen darting around often under the water looking for
other food. If you see one dive under the water, wait and it will surface
again often may metres away from its entry point.
Swans
THERE was a pair of swans that visit Trow in the Autumn (see picture), but
lately only one has returned. These Swans need careful attention if you're
fishing on the surface with bread as they'll take it, therefore pay attention
and always remove your surface bait if they're near your swim. They will often
come right in to where you're fishing in the hope that you'll feed them, but
unless your leaving it's not a good idea.
Moorhens
IF Grebes are one of my favourite birds then Moorhens rate as my worst. Sorry,
but I just don't like them. It probably has something to do with their attitude
as they are brave little critters and will take your bread with no trouble
despite you flaying your arms about and making a commotion. Having said that,
they have as much right to live at Trow as we do to fish there.
They're very territorial
and you can often see them fighting amongst themselves when one bird enters
another's swim. They're
very noisy too.
Robins
YOU can often seen a Robin nearby due to the free food we often leave lying about. They're tame and if you remain motionless (breath though), a Robin might come right up to you if you leave some visible bread as a freebie for it to take. They're very territorial and I've never seen two Robins together but presumably they must breed! The photo opposite was taken by me while fishing the "tree trunk peg" on 02/04/2000. It didn't bring me any luck cos I blanked that day although my line took off at midday and I lost a big one.
Comma Butterfly
THIS is a photo of a Comma butterfly that I took at Trow in September 2004. I was surprised to see it as in the 1960s they were quite rare (in Cambridgshire), but now seem to have made a comeback. The edges of this butterfly's wings are ragged in appearance and on the underside of the wing is a small white mark in the shape of a comma. Look out for it at Trow between May and October in 2006.
Lesser Spotted JB
LESSER spotted JB caught fishing at Trow Pool on 24/04/2003. Approach with care as it can be very territorial and likes to fish from a good vantage point, generally don't feed, but you may coax it off its perch with a Walnut Whip.
Carp
OPPOSITE is a photo of a carp in the shallows at Trow Pool taken on 2/01/06. When you walk around Trow look carefully in the water as it's often crystal clear and you should be able to see a carp or two.
Dragonfly Larva
This the larva of a dragonfly. It was found at Trow Pool during a clean up of the weed in the water and was returned safety to the water (15/4/06).
Toad
This is a toad, one of five found at Trow Pool on 15/4/06 when we were cleaning up the weed from the water. It was returned to the water and gingerly walked away. How can you tell a frog from a toad? A toad has drier warty skin. It tends to walk rather than hop and doesn't spend as much time in water.
Water Snake
Water snake seen at Trow Pool on 15/09/02.