The river walk

Here are a few familiar faces from my social distancing walk.

This Mute Swan is one of the aggressive pair which have eggs to incubate. I’m looking forward to following their journey.

There’s a sleek Magpie, one of a pair which have built a couple of nests, the first in a tree too close to the pedestrian bridge over the dual carriageway and the second in a thin tree which waves disconcertingly in the breeze. They appear to be using that one. Do birds suffer from seasickness?

The Magpie is next to a tall metal security fence on the industrial estate. They could have left a path on the river bank but, no, they had to build industrial buildings right up to the river. It’s a detour around builders’ yards for everyone. Through the fence I can see a single Cowslip. It’s a plant generations have loved and recognised and yet few people would be able to name it now. There’s just the one waving stiffly in the middle of a beautiful lawn of wild flowers.

There’s a noisy Robin proclaiming in best town-crier fashion from the top of this Hawthorn. I like the industrial backdrop.

Less endearing are the shopping trolleys and occasional bike.

And here’s an incredible flying feat and a helicopter.

It’s time to get back. I’m starving. As I make the detour around the industrial estate I look through the security fence to see the Cowslip. It’s been mowed.