During July, there have been a couple of stories on this blog about the River Ock. Both were about fallen trees.

I went for a walk along the River Ock yesterday morning and saw a variety of wildlife. I disturbed a heron that was fishing in the weir, and it flew out with a small fish in its mouth.

Another bird I disturbed was a moorhen. It had been on the bank, and clambered down into the water and paddled off with some berries in his mouth.

Mallard ducks are common, being very adaptable, but this duck looks different from a standard Mallard. It could be a hybrid or something else.

There were lots of blue tits in one hawthorn, flitting about, after the haws.

I saw ripe blackberries along the riverbank. They are more accessible now the field next to the Ock Meadow has been cut back.

Cutting the field has not disturbed the invasive Himalayan Balsam that is so plentiful along that stretch. Each plant can produce hundreds of seeds. The ripe seedpods explode when touched and send the seeds a long way. They spread easily. A lot will float down the river and seed downstream. Bees do like them.

Bees also like the Teasel which grows by the river. The seeds will be a useful food for birds.