Riff Raff Diary – August 2016

Published on: 8 Aug, 2016
Updated on: 8 Aug, 2016

Riff Raff Cottage and Weir.

Riverbank tales from the local St Catherine’s lengthsman and weirkeeper

by Robert Craig

The drier weather in July meant less of my time was spent operating weirs, which gave me a chance to catch up with the rapidly growing vegetation.

Indian or Himalayan Balsam

At Millmead and St. Catherine’s locks I’ve mown and strimmed the locksides, and the lock gates and chambers have been de-weeded. I’ve also been strimming along the towpath and have cut back encroaching hedges and tree branches, as well as pulling up more of the invasive Himalayan Balsam.

At Stonebridge I had a fallen tree to clear and plenty of strimming to be done, especially along the length of the boat moorings. To round off, I had the ride-on mower for a couple of days and cut the grass at Stonebridge Wharf, Broadford allotments and along the towpath.

Whilst working just downstream of St. Catherine’s lock recently I heard the distinctive song of a Grasshopper Warbler. They gain their name from the grasshopper or cricket-like sound of their trilling song. With its inconspicuous appearance and habit of creeping mouse-like through foliage I wasn’t fortunate enough to see it this time.

Grasshopper Warbler – Photo Wikipedia

About three years ago I heard one in the meadows near Broadford Bridge, again just heard. It is about five inches long with streaked brown upperparts, greyish-white below. The tail is broad with long streaks on the underside. This is not a common bird and is a long distance migrant wintering in West Africa.

Meadowsweet or Filipendula ulmaria

As always this time of year there are lots of wild flowers to enjoy along the river. Some of my favourites are the Purple Loosestrife, Hemp Agrimony, Figwort and, in abundance this year, Meadowsweet. So plenty to look out for and enjoy as you walk the towpath.

See you by the river.