A BIRD has surprised a pub’s owners and locals by dropping in to visit its car park.
The Flowing Spring pub on Henley Road, Playhatch, lies close to Caversham Lakes.
It’s known for flooding, and the car park and garden are both currently under water.
The area evidently caught the attention of a passing black swan that recently stopped by to take a swim.
The feathered visitor was spotted by Nick Willson and his wife Hazel Lucas, who together own and run the pub.
“Hazel and I were preparing Sunday lunches at the time,” says Nick.
“We were half way through a busy lunchtime service, when Hazel suddenly spotted the bird swimming in the car park.
“She called to me to take a look, and grabbed her camera.”
The pub was full of diners who also began snapping pictures of the unsual visitor.
Sightings of black swans are not usual in the UK.
Unlike white mute swans, the birds are almost uniquely dark feathered with bright red beaks.
They originally come from Australia, but a few have made their home in the borough.
A comment on the pub’s Facebook page explains that the birds have been living on the Thames for some time, on the Marlow to Reading stretch.
“We were all delighted to see it,” says Nick.
“It’s been a main topic of conversation ever since.
“People are really excited, and we’re wondering whether it’s a rare sighting.”
The pub is no stranger to seasonal water events.
“We’re on the flood plain for the Thames,” explains Nick.
“Every three years or so, our garden and car park is under water, sometimes for a few months, so we’re used to it.”
The most dramatic flooding happened in 2013.
“It was really deep that year, and our land was under water for five months.
“It can be a bit of a nuisance, but it doesn’t really bother us, and it looks spectacular.
“We know what to do, and the water never comes into the pub.”
The pub was built in the 1780’s, and is an unusual design.
“They knew what they were doing,” Nick says.
“They built on a hillside – the front of the structure is at ground level beside the road, but it goes down a further story to the rear.
“So we stay well above the water level, safe and dry.”
The Flowing Spring enjoys visits from other wildlife too, when the area floods.
“We tend to get kingfishers at this time of year,” Nick says.
“They’re beautiful, and fun to watch.
“They sit in our trees and go fishing in our car park.
“We’re expecting to see them any day now.”
The garden and car park look very different in the summertime.
“It’s a lovely garden, with plenty of greenery and an expanse of trees,” says Nick.
“We hold outdoor concerts and events there, but at the moment it’s a bit of an ocean.
“We love it here.
“We’re a family run, independent free house – a quirky little traditional pub.
“And we’re just a little bit different.”
To find out more about The Flowing Spring, visit: www.theflowingspringpub.co.uk or call: 0118 9699878.
