The water churned after it came over the River Ock weir. It was the brown of tea and full of muddy particles. A stream of bubbles flowed down the other stream, caused by the turbulence from the other weir further up.
With fewer leaves on the trees, the birds are becoming easier to spot. A kingfisher flew upstream, and a diving bird torpedoed downstream, both moving too quickly for me to get a good look at. But I did manage to see a moorhen.
The paddling area (from yesterday’s raffle painting) is now too deep to paddle, and the rope swing is submerged. The river level was at its highest yesterday, but it’s still high today.
The footpath to Tesco has become a watery cul-de-sac, after the flooding.
The field between the River Ock and the A34 has been flooded.
Lots of gulls have come in to enjoy the new temporary flooded field.
The water has washed over many of the reeds, leaving the river looking more like its old self.
Category Archives: River ock
Ock Valley Walk: Weather and Tree Report for the Weekend
Saturday
Showery with winds gusting up to 50 mph.
Tree debris on the path, including one upended tree.
Sunday
Sunny spells and showers.
Winds are not as strong.
The path has been mostly cleared.
The cool weather contrasts with the heat wave in Southern Europe.
River Ock in Abingdon – June 2023
The Ock Valley Walk in Abingdon has become more crowded in June. There are more people walking, and the Kingfisher canoe club visited the weir this week. But I have not seen the Kingfisher during June, not even a blue flash.
A heron was seen earlier in the month, and people have been sharing pictures of it on social media. It is a good indicator of a healthy ecosystem, as it feeds on fish and other small animals.
Fish were visible earlier in the month, but are harder to see now.
The grey wagtail can also be seen near the water. It is a good swimmer and diver, and it feeds on insects and small fish.
The blossoms and fresh leaves of May have been followed by mature foliage. Horse chestnut leaves have already started showing signs of aging as the Horse chestnut leaf miner, the larvae of a small moth, tunnels through the leaves, turning them brown. Elderflowers were abundant earlier in June and many are starting to develop into berries.
The nettles have grown tall, and some were cut back near the paths. Small brown butterflies flutter about in the vicinity.
Ducks and moorhens are frequently seen, but I have not seen them with young on the Ock Valley Walk near town.
Yellow flags are visible along the walk, but further out from town, beyond the Ock Bridge, they look larger.
Extending from Tesco to Mill Lane, the River Ock is more overgrown and the channel looks reduced. There are probably lots of wildlife and their young hiding among the sedge and reeds, away from the crowds.
River Ock in Abingdon – April 2023
There was a misty start to Saturday morning along the Ock Valley Walk.
In April, leaves have sprung, and there is a carpet of stinging nettles. They look fresh and not too tall.
There are also the vase-like flowers of Lords and Ladies. Insects are attracted by their smell and trapped by hairs in the tube to allow pollination.
Muntjac deer are sometimes seen in the woodland areas between the two rivers, but they can also be seen in gardens beyond the river, some of which have fences to keep them out from the vegetables and seedlings.
The heron was also there and seemed to stroke the water with one foot as he watched.
There are large numbers of blackbirds. The leaves of horse chestnut trees have sprouted and unfolded, and look so fresh and green. The upright flower buds will soon become blossoms.
At first, I could not see the Song Thrush, but its song was so clear that I looked and saw him high near the top of the leaf canopy. I frequently see thrushes in the Abbey Meadows on the ground, but this was the first I had seen on the Ock Valley Walk this year.
I also saw a blackcap for the first time.
Further on, in the fields near Tesco, a tractor was ploughing the ground on the other side of the River Ock. Half a dozen Kites followed and swooped down for creatures disturbed by the plough.