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Toft Res Rant
http://lbcarchive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10898		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Brian Hedley [ Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Toft Res Rant
What is the current situation for birders visiting Toft Reservoir? I've been going there on and off for last 10 years or so with no problems and seen some good birds (buff-breasted sand and red-necked phalarope). Decided to pop in last sunday on way back from coast with family in tow. What a nightmare!
Went past the newish sign at the entrance about it being a private fishery and no access without permission. Ignored that.
Got to visitors car park and immediately set upon by golden labrador barking and growling. Had to wait in car until it went back to the fishery office. Got out and another dog, a large alsatian, tethered to the office building started barking away. Made a quick visit up the grassy back to the reservoir and headed to the new bird-watching hide. On the way around to the hide several fishermen looked at us as if we shouldn't be there. Certainly getting mixed messages at the site that's sure what with the new hide an all.
Do you need permits now or have to sign-in?
Didn't see much at all by the way!
Cheers
Brian
Author:  Richard Gunn [ Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Toft Res Rant
Sad news re Toft Res. What you need is a 'Dog Dazer'. It emits a high frequency signal, beyond the audio range of humans, and momentarily confuses the beast, without harming it. Not sure about an antidote for aggressive anglers!

Richard..........
Author:  Stuart Britton [ Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Toft Res Rant
Brian,
I am sorry you had an unhappy experience. I have been visiting Toft for nearly 30 years and never had a problem. I was there on Wednesday to find the manager and fishermen very sociable. The labrador barks at everyone including Fishermen but is as soft as a brush and the Alsatian is always tethered and barks! Dean Eades is a regular visitor and has a good relationship with the Fishery Manager - I'm sure that he will agree that birders are always welcome as long as they speak to the Manager on arrival.
Author:  Dean Eades [ Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Toft Res Rant
Yes agree Stuart, all Jason the Fishery Manager asks is that birders etc pop in the office and introduce themselves ... the Dogs do there job & let him know who is around.
At the end of the day it is a trout fishery and not a Bird reserve.
Author:  Brian Hedley [ Fri Sep 25, 2009 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Toft Res Rant
Thanks for replies.
Will call in at fishery office in future. If the dogs don't get me first!
Cheers
Brian
Author:  John T Goy [ Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Toft Res Rant
Dean Eades wrote:
Yes agree Stuart, all Jason the Fishery Manager asks is that birders etc pop in the office and introduce themselves ... the Dogs do there job & let him know who is around.
At the end of the day it is a trout fishery and not a Bird reserve.


Just catching up with all the news after computer was out of action for two months.

When I've visited Toft alone the dogs scare the hell out of me, tethered or not, the Alsatian especially seems very aggresive and the two together certainly do their job by putting me off going altogether! I only go when accompanied now. Having been bitten by a guard dog which was on a long chain, in my teenage years makes me frightened of guard dogs, even though the Alsatian is my favourite type of dog. And know I wasn't mis-behaving I was working nights at a local sand quarry helping put up a tower.

As regards the fishermen I've always found them courteous and if they are casting I ask if it's okay to pass. It's rare that I pop in to the office and introduce myself didn't realise I had to. Although I've rarely visited any trout fisheries it would be interesting to know how many have bird hides.

Max
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