Had an early morning walk along the canal to the new Bell's Mill Fishery, which is viewable along the canal towpath.
It being Bank Holiday Monday the weather was predictable - heavy rain, in fact torrential! Nevertheless, I dressed for it with waterproofs - Barbour jacket and hat and waterproof over trousers. The one bonus going out early and in such weather conditions is that nobody is about - dog walkers, cyclists etc.
Having visited Bell's Mill Fishery in the winter, when they were still constructing it, I thought then that it would be a good idea to visit when the wader passage was on. But alas, the pools were surrounded by fishermen. So the only avian presence was three mallards, which were in eclipse plumage - oddly enough mirror imaging the camouflaged fishermen. I keep saying fishermen, there probably was some fisher women there too.
I did, though, have great views of a kingfisher along the canal, surely the greatest of fishers and a lot more ethereal.
There are still some autumn flowers in bloom like purple loosestrife and reedmace.
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| Purple Loosestrife |
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| Reedmace |
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| Reedmace |
