While Scotland now has snow, and Cumbria is struggling to dry out, the South West has endured the mildest autumn ever. Some of the night temperatures would have been acceptable for July. Along the hedge bottoms and grass verges the new growth of grasses and weeds is reminiscent of April. And all through the past couple of months it has rained, and rained, and rained. We have forgotten what the sun looks like, and are in danger of succumbing to S. A. D. Grayling fishing remains a distant dream, as millions of gallons of dirty water roll down the rivers, and river maintenance work is restricted to the upper levels of the bank. Most telling of all the signs of Nature, for the past two mornings a cock blackbird has been singing his heart out in the hotel garden, and getting a response from his rival in the next garden.
Campions add colour to the winter riverbank
The tiny, dainty Cranesbill is out of place for late Decmber
The hazel catkins look ready to burst.
Click the arrow on the video below, to see a hen salmon (mid-screen) completely immobile, lying hard on her redd in a strong clear flow on the upper Lyd. The cock fish, who was hovering nearby drifts past, showing a spot of fungus on his nose. Their eggs will be the grilse of 2019, or the salmon of 2020, and we wish them well.
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