Mayflies out in force! An interesting species which spend only 24 hours or so as a live adult. There is one species (Dolania americana) which only manages 5 minutes as an adult; obviously being a grown up is very stressful. Huge clouds are currently flying about the river.
No cygnets. Eggs all present and correct, sun still shining on the swan!
Thanks to the dedication of five (from the Abingdon eight) or seven (depending on crews) the swan once again has an update for us. Looking very happy, cygnets arriving soon…..
Despite April supposedly being a wet month we have hardly got wet at all in the last few weeks. And if we did it was usually due to enthusiastic racing starts rather than rain. This evening was no exception – on arrival at the boat club in spite of a large amount of juniors the sun was shining. The moon evidently felt it was being outdone and was 
trying to make an appearance, which we duly noted at the lock.
Throughout the outing there were numerous announcements from various people about birds sitting on things, one presumes that they sit on nests, however as birds aren’t especially intelligent it may be they aren’t.
A few racing starts were practiced, we flew through the water on each occasion, moving well ahead of the four that was threatening to overtake.
The swan nesting on the landing stage seems to be attracting a large amount of attention, both on and off the water. We had by the time we reached the nesting site managed to stay ahead of a pair who claim some sort of international title (they sometimes got to a rating of 20) and so there was a brief pause for the crew to admire the swans.
It still seems to be keeping company with a duck. Let’s hope it isn’t too confused about these things, otherwise there may well be another ugly duckling incident.
Looking back to Temple Island the river was looking suitably stunning, calm as a millpond and hardly a cloud to be seen. The regatta tents and enclosures are springing up all over the place, fewer than eight weeks to go before we are undoubtedly called to grace the Regatta with our excellent presence.
Past the bridge we were surrounded by a bevy of swans who seemed immensely curious about the rowing theme. Some were obviously last year’s cygnets and probably feeling a bit rejected by parents who were more interested in producing the next generation than looking after irritating adolescents.
As cox had informed the crew of the possibility of coot nesting activity we tiptoed past the islands on our way back to the club. Instead of the loud bang of ‘fast hands’ we managed a very gentle, quiet and controlled row. Much to my annoyance however the coot was sat firmly on its nest and refused to allow us a look at its bald chicks. A different approach might be needed! The parent was studiously ignoring us.
After a few more ‘hold it ups’ for a few previously unnoticed nesting sites we made it back to the club where the crew had to practice their support for the HRC bar.
An energetic outing this morning – racing starts were practiced, the rating surprising everyone as it climbed higher and higher with each attempt. This was despite efforts to keep it to a reasonable level!
The highlight of the outing was of course the large amount of ducklings that have suddenly appeared. On the landing stages before we pushed off there was a family of seven ducklings and a fairly unruffled mother leading them across the river away from our blades to safety. This was followed by a second family of ten ducklings and parent, these looked even smaller, perhaps having hatched out during the night. They obviously needed a lesson in direction – despite the encouraging noises of the mother one seemed to find the opposite direction far more interesting. The feeble cheeping was accompanied by frantic paddling, ducklings evidently have to work a lot harder than the parents to make the same speed.
Outside Hobbs there were a pair of Egyptian geese with a single lonely gosling looking slightly bewildered at its surroundings. Perhaps it was confused as to whether it should be supporting the Dragon boats or the rowing club.
Coming back into town past Phyllis Court there was a swan happily nesting on a slipway. Needless to it had parked itself right in the middle of the slipway so that no one would be able to use it for the duration. As the swans are getting more and more impatient and irritated with these wretched people invading their river it seems likely this one will get to stay there for the next few weeks!
UPDATE: Thanks to seven for the photographic proof that swans are getting in everyone’s way.
UPDATE: It now has its own page. Follow the story of the swan here.
At 6:30 we assembled ourselves at the boat club; the juniors were all getting set for a weekend of racing, geese getting increasingly frustrated with the intrusion on their landing stages and a stunning blue sky which contained only the faintest wisp of cloud.
The bells of St Mary’s Church pealed across the river as we removed the boat from its rack, having already discussed a new seating plan (something any teacher will warn against) and cox thinking she could try out a new move, instructed the crew to assemble in the boat. Once the boat was ready (it took a while, this was outside the normal routine) cox energetically leapt into the boat at the same time as pushing off. This was greeted with much amusement from onlookers; evidently this was opportunity to really embarrass the cox if need be.
On leaving the club the crew seemed rather concerned by the large cruiser bearing down on us. As the cox was so delighted at being able to step into a moving boat she took no notice whatsoever, instead spinning the boat in front of the prow of an enormous cruiser and, after a good shout at the crew for insubordination and trying to think for themselves we set off into the glorious evening.
Henley town on a Spring evening is a lovely place to be. People are sitting around drinking wine on the Regatta Meadows, the Angel on the Bridge pub has a good number of patrons out by the river and the swallows are trying to keep the ever increasing fly population under control. Pottering down Henley reach we observed many other crews out training, taking a few pictures here and there (disturbed a little by newly placed seven).
Carrying on up to Hambledon lock (doing a sharp bit of square blading too) we observed a few swans, swallows, coots, ducks and various others making the most of the spring sunshine. 
Spinning elegantly at the lock we continued back, cox giving warning that she wanted some ‘serious’ work on the way back. Sadly for the crew that meant stopping for several more photos as the light was especially good.
Going up towards the island we had our first racing start of the season. Stroke was a little surprised at the speed in which the crew moved. However, we managed to keep the boat upright, the line was straight and people were out of breath by the end which must mean it went fairly well.
Another racing start past the island resulted in us speeding down the river back towards the town. No goslings were seen, no kingfishers observed, due to the speed at which we were going. When the command of ‘wind down’ came it was met with sighs of some relief. But the drama was not over yet. Powering back to the club we found all the landing stages taken up by other crews leaping out of boats who obviously were so worn out by their outings that they were far too tired to remove themselves quickly. So as we sat on the river admiring the sunset we cheered on a wedding party that were on the far bank (perhaps the source of the bells earlier), and tried to decide if a beer would be a good thing. The rowing club bar (which we so carefully decorated a few months earlier) was open and so the serious members of the crew piled in.
As we are so keen on wildlife – it is time to vote for Britain’s national bird. Sadly we don’t see some of them around Henley, and frankly the swans and I do not see eye to eye about many things, however there are a few which might be worthy of the title of BRITAIN’S NATIONAL BIRD!
Vote here.
MastersofHenley 