Nature notes from Bute East Dock

Hot weather brings out the carp, who come up into the Dock Feeder and the shallow water to spawn, frolicking about and leaping out of the water. Huge creatures over two feet long, with bronze scales and pig-like snouts. The grebe chicks are riding on their mothers' backs (two breeding pairs have successfully hatched their eggs) and the coots and swans are flourishing likewise. And so it was alarming to read (on a notice pinned high on a lamppost) that plans are afoot to start a Wakeboarding club on the dock, with a huge pylon and a 700m cable tow, artist's impression available on the web for inspection. I have written to the council to object (it will be noisy, disruptive to wildlife, and the dock is known to have a lively colony of toxic blue-green algae, perfect for surfing) and anyone else who wants to do so should email developmmentmanagement@cardiff.gov.org, quoting the name of the proposal, 12-00691/DCI.