Riverman George on embracing the sound of silence and wondrous wildlife
wildlife like it. Birds coming in from every angle, birds I have never seen before, new ducks on the river, the bees are all back really early and the butterflies – just wonderful.
Lots of mink are scampering about, six more swans arrived yesterday and I’ve seen a couple of otters. We’ve always had seals but they are having an absolute ball in the quiet river. It’s beautiful.
You don’t appreciate the silence until you have it. Watching the garden change from the winter flowering cherry tree to the spring flowers. Buds everywhere ready to suddenly open.
But it is not just here that the lockdown is having an effect on the environment and wildlife. In India, people are posting pictures of the Himalayas, which they can now see as the smog has cleared. In Wales, the goats have come down from the mountains and in Venice no motor boats in the canals means clear blue water and more wildlife.
It’s lovely to see nature reclaim itself. I’m lucky to have lived my whole life on the Clyde and be surrounded by nature but to see it ramped up is fantastic.
In this chaotic world it’s good to stop to smell the flowers and listen to the birdsong. It’s time the world took a look at itself but will it change – who knows?
I still help out on the river when I can. At the moment, we try to keep off it as much as we can but there is usually someone out every day just checking it is safe.
It’s good to appreciate the calm but we must also stay isolated. We must look after each other.
It’s like when some drunk tries to swim in the river, I can usually make them cry when I point out that a young police woman or a youngster might have jumped in to try to save them and lost their lives. We are in the same situation just now – disobeying the rules could cost someone else their life.
I wish I knew what the happy medium would be, as this cannot go on, but for now I will have my breakfast at the window and enjoy the beauty of silence. Keep safe.