Riff Raff Diary: May 2019

Published on: 12 May, 2019
Updated on: 12 May, 2019

Riff Raff Cottage and Weir

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

by Robert Craig

Not having experienced the usual April showers this year meant that I was able to complete the painting of Millmead Lock before the Easter holiday. Remarkably there was not a single heavy shower to spoil the paintwork before it had a chance to dry this year.

Having finished the lock painting it was time to get back to managing the vegetation which always grows rapidly at this time of year. The locks, moorings and towpath have been cut and at Stonebridge Wharf the grassed areas and mooring have also been strimmed and mown. There were also a couple of fallen Alder trees to deal with in April; one by St Catherine’s Hill and the other which had floated down partially blocking the entrance to Gun’s Mouth at Stonebridge. The latter is currently secured to the bank awaiting removal.

Robert Craig strimming the towpath opposite Shalford Meadow in 2016.

If you walk downstream from Broadford Bridge to St Catherine’s railway bridge at the moment you will be aware of the works that are taking place. The maintenance team are working to improve the drainage and surface on this wet and muddy section of towpath. When completed the vegetation regrowth will soften the impact of the works and it will be a big improvement.

Common whitethroat – Photo Malcolm Fincham

April saw the arrival of good numbers of visiting warblers in the meadows surrounding St Catherine’s, the star of the show being the whitethroats. It amazes me how healthy these little birds look with their pure white throat and white eye ring when you consider that they have flown here all the way from Africa.

Look out for the males at this time of year singing on top of vegetation and also flying up in short display flight. There are also sightings of goldfinches, linnets, and blackcaps to be enjoyed at the moment.

See you by the river.