A Week At The Lake - Wildlife & Angling Round-Up

It’s been a cracking week at St Erth, with a mix of wildlife drama, volunteer graft, and some excellent fishing across the pegs.

Wildlife Highlights

Early in the week a sparrowhawk put on a show, chasing magpies opposite peg 28 while anglers looked on. Later, a kingfisher made several bright blue fly‑pasts before settling on the alder opposite peg 8, always a special sight.

The buddleia beside the club shed has been alive with colour: red admirals, peacocks, commas and small tortoiseshell butterflies all feeding hard. Despite the brisk wind, demoiselles, damsels and dragonflies were still active around the margins, a good sign of healthy vegetation and sheltered pockets.

Volunteer Work Party

Thanks to Jan, John and Dean for joining the sandbag run to the far end of the lake. The team barrowed materials down to reinforce the eroding stream edge — a job well done before autumn flows arrive. Tea, cake and plenty of banter afterwards kept spirits high.

Angling Report

Peg 8 produced a lovely mixed session this week. Fishing less than a rod‑length out with a half tub of refrozen sweetcorn, the catch included:

• A lively carp that made a dash into the reeds

• Three bronze bream to around 2lb

• Several quality roach to 10oz

• A striking yellow‑and‑black koi around 4lb

• A crucian of about 1.5lb

• More roach

• And a perch around ¾lb — on corn, just to prove a point

A varied and enjoyable three‑hour spell, showing how well the lake is fishing even in breezy conditions.

Thanks to Everyone

From wildlife watchers to volunteers to anglers on the pegs, the lake has been full of life and good company. Your efforts and observations help keep St Erth thriving.

Julian Little - MAC Secretary