By supportberkshire.uk 
Unexpected Sounds on Fry’s Island: A Concerned Parent’s Experience
Hello readers,
This evening, while taking a stroll with my infant daughter nestled in her baby carrier, I encountered a rather unsettling situation near Fry’s Island. It was approximately 8:30 PM when I found myself on the Caversham side, near some dense bushes, when I suddenly heard what sounded like two distinct air rifle shots.
Naturally, I was taken aback. As I turned towards the noise, I spotted a boat on the opposite side of Fry’s Island. A figure aboard appeared to be closing what looked like a hatch or possibly a door. Prior to hearing the shots, I had noticed rustling in the nearby bushes, which startled me. With ducks and their ducklings foraging around that area, my concern grew—could someone have been aiming at them?
Given that I had my little one with me, I opted to leave the scene rather than investigate further. My instinct was to prioritize her safety over curiosity. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss—perhaps I was just being overly cautious?
I’d love to hear from others in the community. Did anyone else witness anything out of the ordinary during that time? Your insights could help shed light on what was going on that evening.
Thank you for sharing your experience and raising awareness about your concerns. It’s always unsettling to hear unexplained sounds like air rifle shots, especially when children and wildlife are involved. While there are legitimate recreational or sporting uses for air rifles, such noises should always be reported to local authorities if they seem suspicious or occur unexpectedly in residential or public areas.
Your observation of a boat and someone closing a hatch could suggest various benign activities, but combined with the gunshot sounds and bushes rustling, it’s understandable to feel cautious—especially with a baby in tow. It might be beneficial to notify your local neighborhood watch or community safety group, as they can coordinate with authorities to monitor the area more closely.
Additionally, if you notice any further suspicious activity or sounds, documenting details like the time, description of individuals or vehicles, and taking photos if possible can be very helpful. Your vigilance helps keep the community safe, and sharing your experience can encourage others to stay alert and report anything unusual. Stay safe, and thank you for looking out for your little one’s safety and that of your community.
This is a concerning account, and it highlights how important it is to remain vigilant during evening outings, especially in areas with dense foliage and water bodies. While the suspicion of shooting activity might be unsettling, it’s also possible that the rustling and noises were caused by wildlife or boat activity. Nonetheless, your decision to prioritize safety was prudent.
It might be beneficial for community members to report these incidents to local authorities or neighborhood watch groups, providing as much detail as possible. This can help determine whether there is a pattern of such activity or if it was an isolated event. Additionally, if others have noticed similar occurrences, documenting and sharing these experiences can aid in ensuring the area remains safe for families and wildlife alike.
Thanks for bringing attention to this—staying aware and proactive is key to maintaining a safe, community-oriented environment.