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Mort's Riverwatch

An occasional look at the ebb and flow of the Thames

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Tag: birds

Nature

Spring – it’s such a joyous time for us Riverwatchers

03/04/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

Let’s bid a warm welcome to British Summer Time and hope that the signal for the clocks to go forward is also a signal for the warmer weather we enjoyed over the weekend to continue.

Nature

Anniversaries ahoy!

29/06/201201/01/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

It seems incredible to me but this is the 200th Riverwatch column I’ve penned since first starting it just under five years ago.

Flock of birds
Nature Recent developments

Seeing red at green energy plans

16/06/201203/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

So plans are afoot to install four ‘Archimedes’ Screw’ electricity generators at Sunbury Weir – and, not surprisingly, there is a good deal of opposition to the idea being expressed.

Micki Gooding
Local people

One woman’s love for her Thames-side home

27/04/201203/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

Muriel Gooding – Micki to her friends – has lived beside the Thames just off Chertsey Lane in Staines for 44 years and in that time, she’s experienced quite a lot.

Nature

Just where are the birds coming from?

03/12/201103/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

It seems that many readers have also observed the huge flocks of birds swooping and wheeling over the river each morning and evening that were mentioned by Nigel Brecknell in Riverwatch a couple of weeks ago.

Rooks
Nature Terra Nova

The signs of autumn

20/11/201103/12/2012Mort SmithComment(0)

There are some sights that really bring home to me that autumn has arrived and winter can’t be far behind it – and one of those is seeing the huge flocks of rooks that wheel in acrobatic formations over the Thames mornings and evenings.

Charities Nature

Derek’s treasure trove

17/01/201026/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Many readers will remember, with great affection, Herald and News columnist Derek Belsey who, for many years, provided us with words and pictures about his favourite obsession – birds.

Charities Nature

Dot’s message has wings

01/07/200927/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Two weeks ago, I wrote about Dot Beeson, the lovely lady who runs the Swan Sanctuary in Felix Lane, Shepperton and told the story of how she first became involved with helping injured birds and other wildlife.

Charities Nature

Dot’s a saviour for swans

08/06/200926/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

I’ve met a host of lovely people whilst writing this column but probably none as charming and dedicated to her cause as Dot Beeson, the woman behind the Swan Sanctuary based in Felix Lane, Shepperton.

History Nature

Idyllic gem’s hidden away

03/06/200926/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

There are many idyllic places from which to enjoy the beauties of the Thames but one of the best kept secrets around seems to be Truss’s Island – a tiny ait on the Surrey bank of the river quite close to Staines Bridge.

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Get in touch

To contact Mort, email him at mortsmith32@gmail.com or call him on 01787 226974. He’s always pleased to hear from old friends who provided such a wealth of information and great stories for Riverwatch.

These columns appeared in the Surrey Herald.

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