Summer 2010 and I can't help but notice how a certain plant seems to have taken over the banks of the River Sow between Queensway bridge and Asda (including where in previous years swans have tended to make a nest).
It stands pretty high and has light pinky mauve flowers on top.
I thinks it's one of those invasive, dominant plants (Himalayan balsam?) that spread like wildfire and colonise and don't allow other plants to grow or co-exist.
I have also noticed similar things happening along the river Penk near the Meadows estate and near Radford.
One Saturday night a few years ago at a quiet and calm time, I did see an otter under Queensway bridge (the only time I've seen one in the wild).
It was swimming in the river which was flowing well at the time. It was rolling about in the current just like in those films about otters like The Ring of Bright Water.
GJ Sellman Braunton Avenue Stafford
