LETTERSFrom Judith Thaxter, Ryde:
THE poison the rats are given makes them thirsty so they go to the Ryde Canoe Lake to drink then die (CP, 13-04-12).
Unfortunately, in March, I had to take a swan to the vet to be put to sleep, it was clearly unwell and was continually drinking as it lay by the water bowl. I had seen that swan twice a day since October. The swan I had taken to the vet earlier this year, I was told had botulism, which must be in the water.
I live by the canoe lake and feed the birds grain twice a day. Within an hour or less it is all eaten. I can see the lake from my window and can state that it has not been drained for over ten years. The sluice gate which allowed the trapped sea water out at low tide and fresh sea water in at high tide has not been operated for seven years. When rain overflowed the surrounding footpath three winters’ ago, gully suckers were used with huge hoses spraying lake water onto the beach until the path was usable again.
The surrounding path used to be swept only twice a week but this has been less frequent. The flotsam is hardly ever fished out.
The lake is filthy but it cannot be cleaned now as any drop in the water level will mean the ducklings, goslings and cygnets cannot climb out. They will get water logged and drown.
The RSPCA and RSPB should be consulted.