Tag: canal

Jun 2nd – On the way to Chasewater, I spotted this fine cargo boat heading for Anglesey basin. It was a very unusual craft, and I wonder as to it’s history. I regret now not asking the chaps on board about it – but I was so surprised to see such a huge narrowboat that I just took pictures, awestruck. I love how the front end, unladen, seems almost proud of the water. I guess there was a time when these types of freighter were an everyday sight here, plying their trade from wharf to wharf transferring coal, clay or other essential goods to drive the industrial heartlands. A fine thing, to be sure.

June 2nd – Spotted this interesting family on the canal near the Canoe and Outdoor Centre in Brownhills. I’m interested in what’s going on here. One pair of canada geese, Eight goslings, perfectly normal. Except five of the brood are clearly a week or two older than the other 3. Do geese have reciprocal childcare arrangements? Fostering, perhaps?

Any ideas?

May 29th – At Bentley Bridge, in Darlaston, I noticed these workboats pulled in to the bank. Two tugs and a dredger, they seem to be engaged in some heavy canal-cleaning by the looks of the buttes in the distance. This is good to see – these waterways have been kept very clean in recent years, and it’s good to know the spending cuts don’t seem to have affected this vital task yet. Long may it be so.

May 24th – I was sad to note today that the Rugeley canal swan brood I pictured on Sunday is down to six cygnets from seven. Probably picked off by a brave fox, mink, stoat or weasel, perhaps even a bird of prey, one must remember that this is why they have large clutches of eggs. Sad as it is, nature red in tooth and claw. A sobering thing indeed.

May 20th – I escaped late afternoon, and headed over Chasewater to Cannock Chase. It was a pleasant, warm afternoon and evening, and the Chase and countryside around it was pretty deserted. Whilst the swans I was watching don’t appear to have had success (although both birds are still hanging around the nest, which seems odd) couples elsewhere seem to be doing well. I noticed a pair nesting on one of the ‘orphan’ pools in Chasewater’s northern lakebed. Secluded by reeds and young willows, they have a very well protected nest, and had the sun not been shining on them, I’d never have noticed. Meanwhile, on the canal at Rugeley, this pair of proud (and surprisingly tolerant) parents allowed me to photograph their seven healthy cygnets.

May 17th – Sadly, I have to announce that Mr. and Mrs. Swan seem to have abandoned their nest at the back of Sadler Road. I’ve popped past a couple of times this week, and although in close proximity, neither bird has been sitting, and I think they’ve abandoned the eggs, but can’t see from the opposite bank. I know there were eggs, as I saw the female fretting, turning them last Friday. Either they’ve been predated by rats or (very brave) foxes, or have just been barren, I don’t know which. I feel oddly bereft by this, as I was so looking forward to recording the growth of the cygnets… yet this couple had a false run last year, too. Maybe they aren’t old enough yet, or just haven’t got it together. Sad.

May 17th – The lambs in the smallholding field near the canal up by the A5 in Brownhills seem to be developing attitude. Perhaps it’s the influence of the local yoot, or just the fact that they’re so healthy and full of life. I still don’t know who keeps the livestock here, but the sheep and pigs seem to be doing fine. And as for the smell… the animals don’t seem overly bothered by it, like most of the town.

May 13th – I checked out the swans again today. When I passed by at about 2pm, neither bird was on the nest. Had predators had the eggs? Had Mrs. Swan decided they were barren and not to hatch? I’d been really looking forward to seeing the young hatchlings and it seemed all was lost – the pair were loafing in a garden don the canal bank. What could have gone wrong?

May 11th – Sunset was beautiful today. As I cycled my usual route to Chasewater along the canal – essential to check on progress of the swans, I stopped in awe to check out the sunset on the water. After so many grim days lately, it was a pleasure to explience a beautiful, light sunny evening. But it was bitterly cold. At Chasewater itself, I noted that the secondary culvert was now totally submerged, and the water levels were still rising well. I watched the sun set for a while over the western shore, but was so cold, I headed home earlier than I had intended. It’s summer, Jim, but not as we know it.

May 11th – At least I know now that Mrs. Swan has eggs. When I took a look tonight, the nest site behind Sadler Road, Brownhills, still had no hatchlings, but mum was standing on the edge of her nest turning the olive-couloured eggs in a gentle, determined fashion. I hope they’re OK. I didn’t know they did this, but having spoken to a seasoned birder since, it seems this is perfectly normal. Here’s hoping for little ones soon…