Riff Raff Diary – January 2018

Published on: 15 Jan, 2018
Updated on: 15 Jan, 2018

Riff Raff Cottage and Weir

Riverbank tales from the local St Catherine’s lengthsman and weir keeper

by Robert Craig

December for me was mainly spent focusing on my weir keeping duties. I also took some leave, returning to work on the day before Christmas Eve.

The rainfall we had towards the end of the month meant that the last few days of 2017 we were kept busy day and night operating the weirs on the navigation.

At the time of writing things are calming down a bit and I shall be spending time clearing any small trees and branches that have come down during the high winds we experienced at the beginning of the new year.

Fallen alder tree at Stonebridge.

There is also an alder tree to clear from the river by the moorings at Stonebridge.

Look out at the moment for flocks of redwings, a member of the thrush family. By the navigation they can often be seen gathering in the tops of the alder trees.

If you are fortunate enough to see them in the sunlight you will easily make out their rusty red flanks from which they get their name – also the bold stripes above their eye and below the cheek.

They are winter visitors from Scandinavia with a small number breeding in the Scottish highlands.

A very happy new year.

See you by the river.

robert.craig@nationaltrust.org.uk

07786703831