The Swan Upping has been cancelled in 2012 because the River Thames is flowing too fast for the swan uppers to row against.

Instead, and this may not please everybody, I have pictures and a video of pigeons up on the County Hall Roof …

The pigeon is probably the bird I see most in Abingdon. Up on high precipices or flying round above us all, pigeons thrive where we thrive. They are always up there watching for an opportunity to feed wherever and whenever we drop food.

But there is more to pigeons than food. They are intelligent, sociable animals, and they leave a lot of droppings. I have a short video of Two Pigeons Up on the County Hall Roof showing off.

Just over a week ago a young cat from a nearby village jumped into a neighbour’s car. The car stopped at the Crown and Thistle in Abingdon and the frightened cat took its chance, when the door was open, to leap out and escape over the wall.

Posters, with a picture like the one above, were to be seen round the area, between Abbey Close and Thames Street. The owners came back day after day to look, helped by people in the area.

On Wednesday came the first sighting of the cat near Coseners House. The cat was finally found and brought to the Old Abbey Buildings where the curator cared for it until the owners could come.

They were overjoyed to get their beloved and quite valuable cat back, and very generous in their thanks.

Somebody has put up a notice on a tree in the Albert Park.  Lost Grey Squirrel. Bushy Tail. Answers to the name Nutkin.

I have seen more squirrels in the Albert Park this winter than any I can remember  …

Grey squirrel A is doing well ….

Grey squirrel B could out run most dogs ….

Grey squirrel C is looking fine and dandy ….

But the luck of Grey Squirrel D has run out. Hopefully it is not Nutkin.