May 10th – On the canal in Walsall Wood, the obligatory heron was sourcing supper. Intently focussed on the water, it took no notice of me whatsoever. Such was the determination, I wondered if it had a young mouth or two to feed.
Despite waiting an age, the bird never struck, just kept on mesmerising it’s prey.
I hope it bagged some supper in the end.
March 24th – Compression of the neck… herons are more and more common now. Barely a towpath ride goes by without seeing one, and on longer rides like last week, I’ll see five or six, which must be a symbol of how clean the waters are now and how the fish population must by bountiful, too.
This proud bird was on the towpath in Pleck, just by the wall of Rollingmill Street Cemetery, pretty much the industrial heart of Walsall. Wary of me but not skittish, by dismounting the bike and taking things gently I got close enough for some decent pictures, I think.
I adore herons.
March 7th – After the jumble, a ride into Brum on the canals and cycleways of the northeast of the city, and at Perry Common, north of Witton Lakes, a bit of urban wildlife that astounded and delighted.
A brook flows down from Kingstanding, collecting land drains as it goes, through Witton Lakes and Brookvale Lake, and it’s a lot healthier than it once was, although it’s still suffering from fly tipping and urban pollution. It is, however, clearly supporting a healthy quantity of fish, which this elderly heron was picking off like chocolates from a selection box.
He ignored me as he fished, 10 meters away, pausing and darting for small, silvery treasures whose luck had run out. He would then lift his bill, swallow, and once can see the fish bulge in the bird’s neck.
I was captivated for a good 15 minutes. This is great wildlife, in a very, very urban setting. There is wonder everywhere.
September 13th – I whizzed up to Walsall Wood in the morning on an errand. Coming back, I noticed the canal alive with small fish, and wondered if there was an oxygen problem there, but the fish seemed lively enough. No wonder the herons are so prolific here at the moment.
I stopped to look at the old Black Cock Bridge. Around a century old, I think, and in poor repair, it desperately needs some love. Since alternate routes exist, I think one day this steep and high crossing will be closed to through traffic like Hollanders Bridge in Walsall Wood, as replacement would be difficult and expensive.
Mind, a lick of paint and a good clean wouldn’t hurt…
July 15th – I know nothing about fish whatsoever, but cycling along the canal at Brownhills, I noticed lots of them visible in the still waters. They aren’t usually this visible, I’m not sure if the sunlight is making them more evident, or the warm weather has drawn them to the surface.
I have no idea what species they were, but there were plenty of medium and small sized fish, and a few quite large ones. The chap in the top photo looked at least 18 inches long.
A fascinating thing to see.
January 4th – I had to go see the doctor. I still had horrendous stomach problems which I was only managing to abate with Immodium. I felt loads better in myself, but I was still having trouble eating. I’ve lost a whole bunch of weight since Friday, but I don’t recommend this as a dieting technique. What started as food poisoning seems to be a bowel infection, and I’m now the proud owner of a large box of antibiotics, which I’m praying will do the trick. Quite pleased that I cycled to the surgery, I took to the canal at Leighswood Bridge and cycled back home to Brownhills along the canal. Passing through Walsall Wood, I noted that Rod, the sculpted fisherman, is still bereft of Bob, his piscean prize. I take it replacing the fish that once dangled from the iron angler’s pole has been given up as a lost cause. Predictable, but sad.
June 27th – The hot weather of the weekend had clarified the canal water and the fish that normally dwell in the town’s waterways were clearly visible all around Walsall. I know nothing about fish, but there were some fine specimens visible on this hot afternoon. They seemed unsettled – I wonder if they were fearing their sudden exposure to fisherman and heron alike?
BrownhillsBob's #365daysofbiking 