Sharing Space

Paddock pond is in Emmanuel college gardens. It is fed by Hobson's Conduit and in the Middle Ages was the Dominican's fish pond. There are several species of ducks that breed here and they share the pond with the barbel carps, whose roe is poisonous. At one time swans also visited, but since an island for nesting was built in the middle of this small pond, they no longer come as there is not sufficient length for them to fly away.  On a sadder note it was reported that during the end of the colleges exams, when the 'Bumps' races are held on our river Cam, one boat, desperate to win, ploughed into five ducklings and a cygnet as they crossed the water, hurling them into the air with the oars and killing them. An inquiry is to be held, but I don't think they will stop the races.