Workmen who inspected the island at Henley Lake not only found it devoid of birds but also infested with rats.
Workmen who inspected the island at Henley Lake not only found it devoid of birds but also infested with rats.
Worries voiced over Henley Lake island work disrupting nesting birds has been put well and truly to rest.
Workmen who inspected the island not only found it devoid of birds but also infested with rats, a huge deterrent for birds planning on having a family.
Digger drivers reported seeing waterrats swimming away once work to clear vegetation started, apparently heading for sanctuary on other islands in the lake.
Deputy mayor Graham McClymont said a walk round the island had revealed in recent times there had been "zero maintenance" on the island and the vegetation had been mostly rubbish plants like gorse and broom.
Since work had started and the rats had fled, birds had taken an interest in what was being done to the extent they had congregated to feed on worms and bugs uncovered by the diggers.
The discovery of hordes of rats alerted Mr McClymont to the need for pest control.
He said once work on the island finished, it might be a case of planting the remaining part of the island to create a proper habitat for birds and laying baits or traps for rodents concealed in pipes to protect birds from being killed.
