MORE than 100 goldfish have been removed from a pond in a nature reserve over fears they were eating newts and their eggs.

Rushy Pond is a large tree-lined pond in the heathland behind Hardy's Cottage in Thorncombe Wood near Dorchester.

The pond is famous from Hardy's writings and is home to amphibians, dragonflies and grass snakes, as well as being a watering hole for the ponies and other wildlife.

In March 2019, rangers were notified of a mysterious introduction of goldfish into the pond. It was suspected these were unwanted pets being released into the pond by their owners. However, due to the appetite that goldfish have and the fact that they breed very quickly, there was a worry they were turning the pond's ecosystem upside down.

Kath Clay, Dorset Council Countryside Ranger at Hardy's Birthplace and Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve, said: "The goldfish mysteriously appeared in Rushy Pond back in March last year, most likely due to an individual or several people releasing unwanted pets.

"Unfortunately, these people clearly weren't aware of the effect invasive species can have on native wildlife. As well as being prolific breeders, Goldfish will readily eat young amphibians and their eggs.

"As we have a healthy population of Palmate Newts at Rushy Pond, we were keen to remove the fish. We have tried various catching and trapping methods over the past year with some success.

"Whilst surveying for newts this year, we discovered a male Great Crested Newt and, as a protected species, this encouraged us to try a something different. The electro-fishing method we used creates a harmless electric field in the water. Fish within this field swim towards the anode, where they can be safely removed with a net.

"Altogether, including what rangers have caught in the past year and from the success of the electro-fishing, we have removed and rehomed 104 goldfish. Several locals and regular walkers, Greenwood Grange and Kingston Maurward College have all willingly taken on extra fish for their ornamental ponds."