Alan Titchmarsh 'heartbroken' after returning home from trip with wife

Daily Record

3 days ago

Alan Titchmarsh has opened up on the highs and lows of nurturing his own wilderness in his garden, and shared a recent discovery in his wildlife pond that left him 'heartbroken'.
Television favourite Alan Titchmarsh has experienced the delicate balance of nature first-hand in his own back garden.
The much-loved presenter of ITV's Love Your Weekend, 76, described how new life has sprung up in the wildlife pond he created some 15 years ago in his Hampshire haven.
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Alan had modest hopes of attracting creatures like "newts and dragonflies, damselflies and perhaps the odd kingfisher," but what he found was an unexpected surprise.
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Speaking to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, Alan recalled a significant discovery, much grander than the usual tiny inhabitants one might anticipate in a garden pond.
His water feature became the unexpected home for roach when he noted: "But then, from somewhere, probably on the webbed feet of a visiting duck, roach arrived."
These adaptable freshwater fish can reach sizes of up to 14 inches and are adept at thriving under tough conditions, reports Birmingham Live.
Excited by the new addition to his wildlife repertoire, Alan said,:"Thinking it was just another form of wildlife to gleefully add to my list, I bought some fish food,".
Illustrating the feeding frenzy that follows, he observed: "Whenever I sprinkle it on the water, the surface turns into something reminiscent of that scene in the James Bond movie where the baddie is eaten by piranhas."
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He vividly described the transformation, saying: "The once limpid pool becomes a foaming cauldron for fully 30 seconds before all the food disappears."
Despite initially welcoming the roach, Alan discovered that these fishy newcomers have significantly reduced the insect population around his pond, which had previously brought him so much joy.
Alan has been fostering the growth of an alder tree by his pond to aid any visiting kingfisher in spotting roach, in a bid to tackle this fresh nuisance.
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Yet, for Alan, no gardening mishap can match the devastation wrought upon his cherished cherry blossom.
Reflecting on the incident, he shared: "My small but now 20-year old plantation of the pure-white 'Shirotae' cherry generally gives rise to gasps in early April."
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He recounted the unfortunate event: "This year we went away for the weekend just before it was due to open.
"We returned and excitedly walked around the back of our barn to take in the anticipated view.."
To his dismay, he discovered: "The welter of buds had been decimated by wood pigeons."