Riff Raff Diary – November 2016

Published on: 12 Nov, 2016
Updated on: 12 Nov, 2016

Riff Raff Cottage and Weir

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

by Robert Craig

Due to the relatively low rainfall during the past month, few adjustments were required to my weirs.

This was good as, having taken some leave at the beginning of October, on my return I was able get on with the routine maintenance tasks on my length without the distraction of weirkeeping.

Autumn by the Wey. Photo Robert Craig

For one day I was joined by the West Surrey National Trust Volunteers at Stonebridge Wharf.  Here we had a very productive day cutting back some of the encroaching vegetation on the old wharf itself.

We also cleared a large pile of rusted metal which mysteriously appeared on the wharf, presumably having been dredged from the river.  There was enough time to round the day off by making a start on thinning out the hedge bordering the car park at Stonebridge, a job I was able to complete during the next few days with some help from Mandy and her volunteers.

Along the navigation there were some willows to cut back by the oxbow just downstream of Broadford Bridge, one of those ongoing jobs with willow.  And at St. Catherine’s lock I tidied up the locksides by cutting back the encroaching soil and grass from the chamber walls and levelled the mole hills.

I think the moles must be wearing aqualungs with the water table so near to the surface.  By Ferry Lane, on this narrow section of towpath, I am working on repairing the holes in the bank created by dogs.

“Dog holes” thought to be made by dogs scrambling out of the water, under repair on the banks of The Wey, just downstream from Ferry Lane, St Catherine’s

With the grass still growing Millmead and St. Catherine’s locksides and moorings have also been mown.

Another image showing the beautiful russet coloured beech leaves carpeting the tow path opposite Shalford meadow

When you’re out and about now is the time to look out for redwings and fieldfares.  There are more redwings at the moment than fieldfare to be seen.  Also there are good numbers of siskins around.

From left to right: redwing, siskin and fieldfare

Somewhat more exotic looking are the rose-ringed parakeets that have been putting in an appearance lately, and in Shalford Park crossbills have been heard but not sighted as yet.

See you by the river.

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