R and I went into Stratford this afternoon, and were pleased to find that the Avon had dropped enough for the south bank path to be passable – though below the two weirs Lucy’s Mill Sluice was still open, to allow faster drainage of the excess water that the river is currently carrying. There seem to have been weirs and sluices at this site since at least the C17th, but the existing structures largely date from the C19th century, and were extensively repaired and upgraded about thirty years ago.
When I noticed the Grey Heron sitting on top of the sluice my first reaction was surprise, because although I frequently see a heron on one or other of the weirs, or on the small island between the sluice and the lower weir which for some unknown reason is called The Stew, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen one at this precise spot. Then I became concerned, because it seemed a pretty dangerous place from which to fish, in turbulent, debris-filled water. It was only when I’d secured a few shots and enlarged them in camera to check the focus that I realised the bird was actually asleep, presumably lulled by the combination of afternoon sunshine and roaring water. It wouldn’t have been my choice of nap site, even standing on two legs, but Grey Herons have superb balance in all situations, whereas I… don’t.
R: L2, C1, D11.
