Don't ignore it, report it! The Environment Agency emergency hotline. If you see: Damage or danger to the natural environment Pollution Poaching Risks to wildlife Fish in distress Illegal dumping of hazardous waste Flooding incidents Ring 0800 80 70 60 Call free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This number is for emergencies only, not for general enquiries. Prompt action can help the environment!
	Site design by

Tree Felling

You may have noticed that our partners, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, have been busy this week clearing trees from a couple of smaller islands at the Springwell end of the lake. This is to provide a better breeding habitat for some of our resident water birds. Other islands, including those further along the lake used by herons as nesting sites, will be left untouched. Indeed many herons can already be seen sitting on nests there.

20^th January 2012

Recent Website Issues

Owing to an unfortunate series of technical problems beyond our control, updates to this website have been rather sporadic over the last few months, during which period the site was also down completely for a few weeks. We believe these problems are now behind us and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

6^th December 2011

Kestrel Nest Box

Sadly the dead tree on the peninsular in front of the Kingfisher hide recently fell down. This held the Kestrel nest box which, since erected five years ago, has been home to our own local kestrel family. Many young have fledged over those 5 years. Luckily this year’s brood departed before the tree fell down. (See picture.)

Newly fledged Kestrels – July 2011

Rob Hopkins (Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust representative) and Ian Watson (FoSL chairman) have discussed what to do. They have decided that a telegraph pole should be erected to host the box for the future. That will make a good job for one of this winter’s work parties!

14^th August 2011

Planned Ecological Surveys

Veolia Water have advised that they have commissioned Ecological and Hydrological surveys to take place over the next few months on the Mid Colne River and Mid Colne Lakes, including Stockers Lake. The purpose of the surveys is to quantify the impact of abstractions on river flows and lake levels and their influence on the hydro-ecology. The project is driven by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), falls under the National Environmental Programme (NEP) and is overseen by the Environment Agency.

For further information please download this open letter received recently by FoSL from Veolia Water.

17^th July 2011

Tree Management Update

People have expressed concern about the recent tree felling on the canal side. Many of the trees had become dangerous and are having to be managed. Some willows have been felled but the oaks are being conserved and trees are being pollarded to allow light into the circa 400 year old ditch.

It is regrettable that in the short term this diminishes the natural barrier between the lake and the canal. However there will soon be a new fence and this will be planted behind with hawthorn and other hedge plants as a long term barrier. Unfortunately, doing nothing is not an option as the trees need management.

For a fuller explanation of the recent work and its background please download this open letter from Ian Watson, Chairman of F.o.S.L. Also, please see this earlier letter to canal Boat-dwellers.

2^nd April 2011

Sightings - tell us what you have seen

Seen something interesting on or around the lake recently? Do let us know so that we can post it on this site and keep others informed.

Members’ Views

This website needs your input. We are delighted to hear your comments – e.g. your views and feelings whilst perambulating the Lake; If it interests you, it will probably interest other members of FoSL, so let us know and we can pass it on! Also, please give us your views on any aspects of the way FoSL is run or the lake managed. Simply e-mail the webmaster.

Stocker's Lake in the snow

Les Mead has made a video of a walk around Stockers Lake in the snow.