Nature Done Wright

Looking back at the winter fish kill in the Celery Farm's Lake Appert, it turned out to have a plus side or two — beginning with the fact that some of those huge invasive carp are now swimming with the fishes, metaphorically speaking.

Here's a sneak preview of a report a I wrote for the Fyke Newsletter — best to read to the end, if I do say so:

The Natural Area’s Lake Appert experienced a massive fish kill this winter, and the late March thaw brought in record numbers of vultures and gulls — plus at least five Bald Eagles — to feed on the remains.

 The fish kill, a natural-occurring event, was the result of very shallow water and a prolonged thick snow cover over the icy pond. The snow drastically reduced sunlight penetration, ultimately dropping the pond's dissolved oxygen levels to below what many fish need to live. The die-off, involving hundreds of fish, became apparent after the ice began to thaw.

 The good news is the dead fish have brought in several bird species in record numbers, and a first-ever sighting of a Glaucous Gull — a huge gull from the Arctic region — by birder Rob Fanning on March 30.

  The following day, Fanning counted 28 Herring Gulls. The previous high count for the Celery Farm had been 17.

 Similarly, at least 50 Turkey Vultures were seen feasting at the sushi buffet on March 27. The previous high count at the Celery Farm had been 26.

  At least five Bald Eagles also paid a visit, along with at least one raven  and — appropriately enough — lots of Fish Crows.

  The majority of the dead fish appear to be carp and sunnies, with some large-mouth bass as well.    

  Marsh Warden Mike Limatola says that the death of the carp, an invasive species, was no great loss, and that all the fish species should rebound.

  As one observer noted: "Like they say in pidgin English, what happens after carpe freezem? Carpe diem."