River Ithon view North (downstream) near Shaky Bridge, Llandrindod Wells
The River Ithon snakes its way through the lowland countryside surrounding the town of Llandrindod Wells, here in Mid Wales. A century ago, Shaky Bridge was little more than a few planks strung together on a rope across the river, hence its name. The current bridge is a rather more substantial affair, though it remains a footbridge only. From the lane, an iron gate gives access to the bridge and path leading up to Cefnllys Church across the meadow.
The recordings here offer two slightly different perspectives on the river either side of the bridge.
In part 1, we are to the North of the bridge on the East bank, the river shallow and fast-flowing over its stony bed. In the tree canopy opposite, a Song Thrush is singing his characteristically repeated phrases as he cycles through his repertoire. There is a Blackcap close by, together with more distant birds: Robin and Wren, though they are difficult to distinguish above the tumbling river. Of course, this is Wales, so a few sheep can be heard in the open pasture behind us, too!
Download full length recording:
15 min, 37MB, .ogg format
In part 2, just 50m further upstream and over the bridge, the river channel is deeper, though still easy to wade through. The rush of the shallower section is now more distant, with a tiny stream providing close-up detail. Birdsong is less obvious at first, but includes Blue Tit & Blackcap, before a Song Thrush strikes up close by. At one point Blackcap and Thrush play a kind of duet. Later, the calls of Wren, Chiff Chaff & one or two other birds can be heard. At 7'23 a Dipper flies by with a series of loud, sharp "tchick" calls. There are actually a pair here, and they stop for a while to engage in a kind of mating ritual, bowing and spreading tail feathers. At one point, a Kingfisher flashes by too , but sadly leaves no audible evidence!
Download full length recording:
15 min, 39MB, .ogg format
The title of this entry references "The Housatonic at Stockbridge", a short movement from Charles Ives' orchestral composition "Three Places in New England". With that in mind, perhaps I should combine recordings from three places in Old Wales?
Recorded: 2024-06-20 @ 1915...2100 LT
Location: 52.242, -3.342
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