Category Archives: wildlife

Crayfish

Crayfish
One unwelcome invader to our rivers is the North American Signal Crayfish, a ferocious cannibal that will eat anything that comes its way, fish eggs, ducklings, young Moorhens and has all but finished off our indigenous species. Apart from doing harm to our wildlife they can collapse a river bank by their constant burrowing. The River Ock has its share of this monster and Steve has been doing his best to control them (over 100 in 3 days from a 10 meter stretch) You have to be licensed by the E.A to catch them and putting them back is forbidden, (failure to comply carries a hefty fine) but they do make for good eating!
Crayfish

Swan Upping 2014

Swan Upping
The Swan Uppers completed their five day annual census of swans in Abingdon-on-Thames this afternoon.
Swan Upping
They caught a swan and 5 cygnets off Wilsham Road in Abingdon.
Swan Upping
Swan Upping is partly ceremonial and partly scientific. Swans are rounded up, caught, marked, and then released.
Swan Upping
There were more swans on the Thames this year than last.
Swan Upping
The ceremonial part ended at Abingdon Bridge with a toast to ‘The Queen’.

Car Crash and Coots Nest

Thanks to Steve for some pictures.
Car Crash
He says “The first was taken at 7.30am yesterday. Not sure if you’ve seen the various rubber marks in the new road surface along Preston Road? But clearly the local nutcases are enjoying the quicker, smoother tarmac. And this car was buried in the hedge outside Thameside School!
Car Crash
Steve also send a picture of some of the new artwork on Preston Road.
Car Crash
And “a Coots nest along Wilsham Road, sited among the rubbish.”