#sssi

We have just published a new article entitled “Mask Wearing as an Emotional Practice: Collective Emotional Work in the COVID-Conscious Digital Counterpublic” by Maja Sawicka on Early View of Symbolic Interaction. Members of SSSI can access the article HERE and by clicking the image below. To join SSSI and subscribe to Symbolic Interaction from $35 (£30), please click HERE.

#365daysofbiking In the meadow:

May 14th - Spring generally comes late to Jockey Meadow, the site of special scientific interest between Walsall Wood and Shelfield.

This year however, it’s looking very green and lush in the water meadows and farmed fields either side of Green Lane.

You wouldn’t think you were surrounded by heavy industry and urban development here, just peace, quiet and birdsong.

A lovely, under-appreciated bit of local greenery.

Wonder if the coos will be here this year?

SSSIs: What are they, and do they mean for conservation and development?

A SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) can be defined as an area which is of particular interest because of its fauna, flora or geological or physiological features. In other words these areas are extremely valuable towards conservation.

In total, there are 4,100 SSSI’s in England and many of which are privately owned. They contain grasslands, parkland, and woodland with some containing ancient woodland and ancient trees.

Dungeness.

#365daysofbiking Coo, gosh: September 6th - I don’t know where they’ve been hiding, and they weren’t telling, but I was greeted at the gate to the water meadow in Green Lane by a nearly full compliment of coos, which numbered 9 I think (one remained stubbornly eating a bush some way off).

These lads, here to maintain Jockey Meadows by eating everything they can and churning up the damp soil will be here a week or two and are even tempered, healthy looking bullocks.

Nosey in the way only cattle can be, they came to investigate me but didn’t come too close.

May 22nd - A long time since I featured Jockey Meadows here - the Site of Special Scientific Interest lying on wetland between Walsall Wood and Shelfield.

Usually the last bit of local landscape to green up, it’s looking splendidly fresh and verdant in the sun, possibly because the annual occupancy by a heard of meadow-maintaining cows haven’t appeared yet.

I notice someone’s come in here with a tractor recently though, which is interesting.