Month: June 2016

June 25th – Out late after a busy day working at home. It was a pleasant evening as I spun up to Chasewater along the canal from Ogley Junction.

I must say, that view of Hammerwich over the Warrenhouse still stuns me after all these years – and with the grass high in the meadow like a gently rippling sea, it’s even more beautiful.

Another lovely thing (though perhaps not if you grow veg!) is the burgeoning rabbit population along the canal and around Chasewater Dam. As you ride on a quiet afternoon, bunnies scuttle for cover from the towpath, nearby scrubs and gardens. They look healthy, and seem to be doing well, which is good news after myxomatosis wiped out the warren at the Chase Road Bridge a few years ago.

A nice afternoon’s bimble.

June 24th – A shellshocked day, really, and the nation was politically in turmoil following the EU Referendum result. A Prime Minister resigned. Disarray in the opposition. Uncertainty about the future.

In Tipton, dodging the rain on an errand, I spotted this. Sometimes the most British answers are the best ones.

A Cuppa Tay is always best.

June 23rd – By the new pond at Clayhanger, the pear tree I found last year seems to have a reasonable crop, but it’s under attack from something bruising or otherwise damaging the fruit.

I’ve not seen anything like this before; the pears grown here last year were small, but well formed and without blemishes. 

My grandfather used to say that a late frost catching the fruit blossom would ruin a crop. I wonder if this is what that looks like – after all, we did have a late and quite heavy frost this year?

June 22nd – On the canal at Walsall, the single cygnet family are doing well, and their offspring has positively rocketed in size since I last saw them.

Still travelling in single file with clear purpose, they patrol canals throughout Walsall, and if I stop, they always pop over to seen if I have food.

I love how the little one is resting it’s leg. 

June 22nd – I passed the coos of Jockey Meadows early in the morning, and they were gathered at the field gate. I’m curious as to why they do this, and sometimes, at the same time of day, can barely be seen at all. There’s nothing of note here apart from a salt-lick, and there’s plenty of water in the meadow, so I guess they get some additional feed brought by a stockman, and their internal clocks are telling them food is due.

These gentle, inquisitive animals have clearly had an impact on the meadow – it’s what I think they’re there for – the long grass is reduced and the mud well churned.

I love these summer tenants of this curious slither of greenbelt..

June 21st – It may be the solstice, but the mating behaviour continues on the canal. With many mallards now on second broods, I noticed this industrious moorhen building a huge nest on the canal at Pleck.

She was very busy and the structure contains some interesting items. I’ll be intrigued to see if she uses it.

June 21st – On the way to work, a short drama. In Biirchills, just near the flats, two familiars square off. There is not outright hostility; but much ground-standing and unwavering stance. This was clearly a pair of old adversaries, neither giving ground, butt with a kind of mutual respect.

Sadly, someone appeared and they both scarpered before I could take a close up of the black cat, but they were both lovely; particularly the stocky, older looking ginger cat who seemed like he was half teddy-bear.

I get the feeling this show plays itself out several times a week.