After reporting that trips out were drying up, a break in the weather made a run out possible. I decided on a rather ambitious uphill bike ride from Lochmaben to Eskdalemuir, hoping perhaps to see one or two interesting things in the forests and moors. In the end I turned back just a mile or two after passing Castle O'er Forest.
In fact all was very quiet up on the moors apart from one red deer crossing the road, but I did spot one or two things on lower ground. While driving to Lochmaben, there was a fluffy looking young buzzard perched very low on a beech hedge, so that I wondered if it was in some distress.
Just past Sibbaldbie, there was a sheep with a magpie on its back and I was just thinking of attempting a photo when a cyclist came from the other direction and scared the magpie away. It turned out my camera battery was completely flat anyway!
On the way back beside the Dryfe Water, bullfinches were about on three occasions and I was pleased to identify the white rump of the first one, which was a rather undersize female.
Right at the end of the trip between Fishbeck and Millhousebridge, a flock of birds flew from the trees and made for the field and as suspected turned out to be the first fieldfares I have seen this winter, though they have been about for several weeks. I soured the field carefully for redwing but could not see any.
There were more just north of Lochmaben an hour before dusk plus one bird that must have been a redwing, though it had so much red and brown around the area of its upper body and head, it looked more like a snipe without the beak or even an out-of season nightjar - but I think we have to put it down to a trick of the light.
Saturday 20 December 2014
Friday 19 December 2014
Friday 19th December
Trips out are drying up in the run-up to Christmas, so not much to report this week.
One untypical visitor to the bird table was a rook, taking advantage of the remains of nan bread from an Indian takeaway. The trees on the way out of the estate produced a flurry of goldcrests on Tuesday - not unknown as I have seen them in the garden before.
I have been looking out for waxwings in St Michael's curchyard and surrounding area but still no sign. It's probably too mild.
One untypical visitor to the bird table was a rook, taking advantage of the remains of nan bread from an Indian takeaway. The trees on the way out of the estate produced a flurry of goldcrests on Tuesday - not unknown as I have seen them in the garden before.
I have been looking out for waxwings in St Michael's curchyard and surrounding area but still no sign. It's probably too mild.
Thursday 11 December 2014
Thursday 11th December
Bad weather has all but put a stop to trips out, gale force winds making cycling dangerous this week.
Did attempt a viewing of the Gretna starling roost yesterday after a matinee cinema visit, but only reached Rigg a half an hour after sunset, not having realised that "Mr Turner" was 150 minutes in length. Apparently Rigg is where they have been settling, although it does seem to vary from time to time.
This morning marked another sporadic appearance of a coal tit around the garden, but more interesting was a strangely marked sparrow I have seen once before. It has two white wing bars and the first time I saw it I thought for a moment it was a chaffinch. Perhaps it is slightly leucistic.
This afternoon, took a walk round the Threave Estate, where I was greeted by a wren that was so light brown that I thought it was a butterfly flying across the path in the cold. Then it sat in the hedge just in front of me like a huge chestnut.
On arriving at Blackpark Marsh lower hide, the whole area was flooded and a first look suggested no birds at all on the total expanse of water. A second look with binoculars confirmed this, but maybe the birds knew what would happen next. Contrary to mild weather forecast, a severe storm blew in from the west, turning to hail that was even accompanied by a couple of thunderclaps and sheet lightning. A flock of barnacles passed by overhead as if disorientated.
As soon as the storm subsided, birds started to appear but the poor light made it hard to distinguish any colours until I managed to pick out a few widgeon and a several lapwings . The next thing there were as many as 200 lapwings circling above the marsh, more than I have seen together since the early sixties, when lapwings commonly follwed the plough at harvest time.
Eventually fleeing the hide as it grew colder, I spotted a bullfinch playing in the undergrowth and four dark-coloured deer on the farm field but not much else beyond a few dunnocks, tits and a couple of geese and swans.
Did attempt a viewing of the Gretna starling roost yesterday after a matinee cinema visit, but only reached Rigg a half an hour after sunset, not having realised that "Mr Turner" was 150 minutes in length. Apparently Rigg is where they have been settling, although it does seem to vary from time to time.
This morning marked another sporadic appearance of a coal tit around the garden, but more interesting was a strangely marked sparrow I have seen once before. It has two white wing bars and the first time I saw it I thought for a moment it was a chaffinch. Perhaps it is slightly leucistic.
This afternoon, took a walk round the Threave Estate, where I was greeted by a wren that was so light brown that I thought it was a butterfly flying across the path in the cold. Then it sat in the hedge just in front of me like a huge chestnut.
On arriving at Blackpark Marsh lower hide, the whole area was flooded and a first look suggested no birds at all on the total expanse of water. A second look with binoculars confirmed this, but maybe the birds knew what would happen next. Contrary to mild weather forecast, a severe storm blew in from the west, turning to hail that was even accompanied by a couple of thunderclaps and sheet lightning. A flock of barnacles passed by overhead as if disorientated.
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| Spot the bullfinch |
As soon as the storm subsided, birds started to appear but the poor light made it hard to distinguish any colours until I managed to pick out a few widgeon and a several lapwings . The next thing there were as many as 200 lapwings circling above the marsh, more than I have seen together since the early sixties, when lapwings commonly follwed the plough at harvest time.
Eventually fleeing the hide as it grew colder, I spotted a bullfinch playing in the undergrowth and four dark-coloured deer on the farm field but not much else beyond a few dunnocks, tits and a couple of geese and swans.
Wednesday 3 December 2014
Wednesday 3rd December
Two week holiday based in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria where the temperatures (around 25 degrees) were well above average although overall weather untypically stormy at times.
Early appearances at the hotel pool were the Canary Islands chiffchaff and hoopoe, the latter in silhouette only as it landed occasionally on the railings at sunset. There were also several blackbirds, whose song patterns were different to the UK version.
After a couple of days I got a good sighting of a couple of serins on the way to Amadores beach, although not at all sure where the second one went in the photo I managed to take. This is a pity, as there is a serin called the atlantic canary and it would have been nice to check.
I didn't spent much time walking in the hills - all rock and rubble - but a brief stint above roque de l'este produced good views of bertholet's pipits anongst the cacti and a number of painted lady butterflies. However I did attempt an ambitious bike ride up the Barranco valley towards Soria and, before it got stupidly steep, fleetingly saw the one bird I was keenest to spot. A blue chaffinch that was singing in a low tree flew on to the next tree, providing an unmistakeable inflight profile. I didn't manage to see it after that.
Increasingly visible en route were more painted ladies, plus a couple of milkweed-type butterflies that are apparently known as the monarch, and a few blue dragonflies. There was also a bird that looked like a wood warbler but didn't sing like one, and up in the heights another small finch I couldn't identify.
A fishing trip out of Puerto Mogan was disappointing, as all I caught were a couple of small fish known as loreto though others did better and a few rays were taken. More interesting were the fish visible in the harbour at Mogan including many mullet, some of which looked over 4lb,, colourful wrasse, white sea bream, two lurking parrotfish and a wahoo-like effort that was probably a yellowmouth barracuda.
But the greatest mystery was the large, multicoloured bird of prey we saw from the transfer bus as we passed by Maspalomas on the way in, flapping and guiding like a harrier over the coastline. There was no time to observe closely, and another example never appeared.
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| Spot The Serin (hard) |
After a couple of days I got a good sighting of a couple of serins on the way to Amadores beach, although not at all sure where the second one went in the photo I managed to take. This is a pity, as there is a serin called the atlantic canary and it would have been nice to check.
I didn't spent much time walking in the hills - all rock and rubble - but a brief stint above roque de l'este produced good views of bertholet's pipits anongst the cacti and a number of painted lady butterflies. However I did attempt an ambitious bike ride up the Barranco valley towards Soria and, before it got stupidly steep, fleetingly saw the one bird I was keenest to spot. A blue chaffinch that was singing in a low tree flew on to the next tree, providing an unmistakeable inflight profile. I didn't manage to see it after that.
Increasingly visible en route were more painted ladies, plus a couple of milkweed-type butterflies that are apparently known as the monarch, and a few blue dragonflies. There was also a bird that looked like a wood warbler but didn't sing like one, and up in the heights another small finch I couldn't identify.
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| Spot the parrotfish (one - easy; two - less so) |
But the greatest mystery was the large, multicoloured bird of prey we saw from the transfer bus as we passed by Maspalomas on the way in, flapping and guiding like a harrier over the coastline. There was no time to observe closely, and another example never appeared.
Thursday 6 November 2014
Wednesday 5th November
Another fine day of low sunlight interspersed between days of rain for bike ride to Beeswing via Troston.
Butterflies seem to have finally disappeared and the talk in the cafe was that the first fieldfares have been sighted. I didn't see much beyond tits and chaffinches. Stopped to check some sliver birches for suspected goldcrests but I couldn't get a view before they dispersed. Apart from that, more wrens, a couple of thrushes and a dead red-legged partridge as well as a dead badger at the roadside.
Thought I also heard some long-tailed tits in town while waiting for a bus.
Butterflies seem to have finally disappeared and the talk in the cafe was that the first fieldfares have been sighted. I didn't see much beyond tits and chaffinches. Stopped to check some sliver birches for suspected goldcrests but I couldn't get a view before they dispersed. Apart from that, more wrens, a couple of thrushes and a dead red-legged partridge as well as a dead badger at the roadside.
Thought I also heard some long-tailed tits in town while waiting for a bus.
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| Where have all the birdies gone? |
Monday 3 November 2014
Sunday 2nd November
Bike ride over the Glenkiln route on Wednesday. Not much birdlife but relaxed views of the changing tree colours looking back to Glenkiln in the low sunlight as I thought of the black swans that would probably be somewhere near the reservoir.
A lone juvenile buzzard was not inclined to shift from the low telegraph post as I rode right past him past Terregles, and up on the moors two red kites circled each other constantly.
Today on a spiritual trip to the impressive Samye Ling Tibetan Centre, a flight of swans over the Annan and at the Centre a bird picking its way through the gardens that ressembled a red grouse but was probably an ornamental species of some kind. Wish I'd checked its legs out more carefully to allow better comparison with internet images.
A lone juvenile buzzard was not inclined to shift from the low telegraph post as I rode right past him past Terregles, and up on the moors two red kites circled each other constantly.
Today on a spiritual trip to the impressive Samye Ling Tibetan Centre, a flight of swans over the Annan and at the Centre a bird picking its way through the gardens that ressembled a red grouse but was probably an ornamental species of some kind. Wish I'd checked its legs out more carefully to allow better comparison with internet images.
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| Autumn Scenery towards Glenkiln |
Thursday 23 October 2014
Thursday 23rd October
A fairly quiet week on the nature front as the autumn thermocline sets it and makes everything seem less attractive.
Wednesday's bike ride revealed nothing new but what was interesting was the number of magpies seen quite far west while heading towards Dalbeattie from Crocketford. There was a legend thathooded crows replace magpies in Dumfries and Galloway, which was always nonesense as you would need to visit Wigtownshire to have much chance of seeing them. But the magpies do seem to be gaining a foothold in areas where they were previously scarce.
Several wrens flew in front of the bike, one for several seconds providing a good close-up view. Otherwise geese and buzzards were heard but not seen, the usual array of goldfinches and chaffinches and a couple of cormorants.
Collar doves have reappeared on the garden bird table, two of them as ever, and so did a particularly foolhardy kitten from next door but one, which clambered up to find the table was bare.
Wednesday's bike ride revealed nothing new but what was interesting was the number of magpies seen quite far west while heading towards Dalbeattie from Crocketford. There was a legend thathooded crows replace magpies in Dumfries and Galloway, which was always nonesense as you would need to visit Wigtownshire to have much chance of seeing them. But the magpies do seem to be gaining a foothold in areas where they were previously scarce.
Several wrens flew in front of the bike, one for several seconds providing a good close-up view. Otherwise geese and buzzards were heard but not seen, the usual array of goldfinches and chaffinches and a couple of cormorants.
Collar doves have reappeared on the garden bird table, two of them as ever, and so did a particularly foolhardy kitten from next door but one, which clambered up to find the table was bare.
Thursday 16 October 2014
Thursday 16th October
Longish walk on Tuesday from Cairnsmore of Fleet Visitor Centre to Loch Grannoch and back with Tony. Heavy going at first as we tried to go via the old Paddy Line from the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct, but the trackway has become considerably overgrown and we ended up going through boggy areas and rough deforested areas for the first mile or so.
Curiously, most of the birdlife was between the Centre and the viaduct area. Sighted hovering kestrel and red kite mobbed by crow on the way up and just before we parked a small brown bird of prey with white underparts flew over the moorland. Tony thought it was a merlin but somehow I wasn't convinced. There was no sign of any mottling and it appeared slender-bodied though the wing shape was about right. I don't know what else it could have been. Otherwise there were a couple of siskins near Loch Grannoch and a few stonechats near the viaduct on the way back, which was good to see after a long interval. Also saw roe deer and fox amongst the spruce plantations. Plus a solitary red admiral.
Apparently there was a pair of golden eagles nesting in the Scots Pine by the old lodge at Loch Grannoch some years ago, but they were constantly getting disturbed so the nest was removed. It may be that this was the pair now at Hawes Water. It also used to contain a good head of trout, but acid rain has decimated them and they now only appear where a couple of streams flow into the loch.
Also a bike ride from Ken Dee Marshes to Kirkudbright and back via Castle Douglas, but not much seen apart from some buzzards and goldfinches, a red kite mobbed by many crows and one on the way home that hovered over the car as if on a bombing mission. Heard another small flight of barnacles. On Monday, which was a misty day, a very large flock passed pretty much directly over the estate but could not be seen at all. Presumably flying above the cloud cover.
A coaltit visited the bird table this week, but there are no more blue tits since I pruned the silver birch where they were catching greenfly.
Curiously, most of the birdlife was between the Centre and the viaduct area. Sighted hovering kestrel and red kite mobbed by crow on the way up and just before we parked a small brown bird of prey with white underparts flew over the moorland. Tony thought it was a merlin but somehow I wasn't convinced. There was no sign of any mottling and it appeared slender-bodied though the wing shape was about right. I don't know what else it could have been. Otherwise there were a couple of siskins near Loch Grannoch and a few stonechats near the viaduct on the way back, which was good to see after a long interval. Also saw roe deer and fox amongst the spruce plantations. Plus a solitary red admiral.
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| Big Water of Fleet Viaduct |
Also a bike ride from Ken Dee Marshes to Kirkudbright and back via Castle Douglas, but not much seen apart from some buzzards and goldfinches, a red kite mobbed by many crows and one on the way home that hovered over the car as if on a bombing mission. Heard another small flight of barnacles. On Monday, which was a misty day, a very large flock passed pretty much directly over the estate but could not be seen at all. Presumably flying above the cloud cover.
A coaltit visited the bird table this week, but there are no more blue tits since I pruned the silver birch where they were catching greenfly.
Thursday 9 October 2014
Thursday 9th October
Visited friends in Alnwick last weekend. While investigating the paltry train service from Acklington Station, I heard a sound I recognised and eventually confirmed the presence of long-tailed tits in the trees. Have not seen a long-tailed tit all summer and, on reflection, it's mainly the winter when I see them. Why should this be?
Several beach walks but no spectacular sightings of migrants, although did manage to identify a redshank between two oystercatchers - not bad for me as don't really do sea birds. Also a kestrel perched on a telegraph wire on the coastal road, the first time I've seen this for years. It used to happen all the time.
We also had difficulty identifying a tree on the outskirts of Alnwick. Consulting the book of trees on my return home, the nearest guess I could come up with was a black poplar, but I've no idea how likely that is. Must get the book of trees out more often - haven't done any tree spotting for ages.
Only one butterfly though, confirming summer is at an end. Last red admiral on the buddleia was 13th September.
Yesterday a bike ride to Caerlaverock via Heathhall and Clarencefield. Many chaffinches, a nice view of a goldfinch in flight and a couple of skeins of returning barnacles, otherwise quiet and once again not a single bird of prey.
I've been reading an old book by Douglas Watson who suggests that the bean goose used to be common in Galloway. None of my modern bird books mention it as a local species. In any case, I suspect I'd have difficulty distinguishing it from the other grey geese except for the Greenland white-fronted.
Several beach walks but no spectacular sightings of migrants, although did manage to identify a redshank between two oystercatchers - not bad for me as don't really do sea birds. Also a kestrel perched on a telegraph wire on the coastal road, the first time I've seen this for years. It used to happen all the time.
We also had difficulty identifying a tree on the outskirts of Alnwick. Consulting the book of trees on my return home, the nearest guess I could come up with was a black poplar, but I've no idea how likely that is. Must get the book of trees out more often - haven't done any tree spotting for ages.
Only one butterfly though, confirming summer is at an end. Last red admiral on the buddleia was 13th September.
Yesterday a bike ride to Caerlaverock via Heathhall and Clarencefield. Many chaffinches, a nice view of a goldfinch in flight and a couple of skeins of returning barnacles, otherwise quiet and once again not a single bird of prey.
I've been reading an old book by Douglas Watson who suggests that the bean goose used to be common in Galloway. None of my modern bird books mention it as a local species. In any case, I suspect I'd have difficulty distinguishing it from the other grey geese except for the Greenland white-fronted.
Thursday 25 September 2014
Wednesday 24th September
Sunny bike trip to Haugh of Urr. Not much around apart from isolated butterflies, a dead badger, one female bullfinch, a few pipits and notably only a couple of birds of prey - two buzzards that were flying over the Rover Nith on the way back into Dumfries. Swallows seem to have departed, though Tony saw some on the move while coming from Castle Douglas.
In the garden, a carrion crow was a rare appearance on the bird table - looking even more inelegant than the occasional wood pigeons that visit.
In the garden, a carrion crow was a rare appearance on the bird table - looking even more inelegant than the occasional wood pigeons that visit.
Friday 19 September 2014
16th September 2014
Last couple of bikerides this summer heave not produced any spectacular sightings. Lone peacocks and red admirals flying over the road, a single kestrel hovering north of Corsock. Most of the summer visitors are away now, though the swallows, absent from the estate, are still chattering about it on the telegraph wires above open farmland.
In the garden, the smallest buddleia is still flourishing and red admirals have been seen right up to this Monday.
In the garden, the smallest buddleia is still flourishing and red admirals have been seen right up to this Monday.
Wednesday 27 August 2014
Wednesday 27th August
Bike ride from Seaward round coast to Gatehouse and back in similar fine weather, but paradoxically no interesting sightings beyond a couple of kites and buzzards, swallows and finches and sundry butterflies.
Around the house coal tit has revisited, swifts definitely no longer present and a hope that the buddleia may just last into September this year, which is a bit of an ambition.
Around the house coal tit has revisited, swifts definitely no longer present and a hope that the buddleia may just last into September this year, which is a bit of an ambition.
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Tuesday 26th August
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| The path back from Loch Skerrow |
On the way back paid more attention to birds, which were quite shy (unused to visitors) but definitely identified whitethroats, blackcap and warblers I took to be willow warblers although strangely quiet. A surprising number of robins. Quick glimpses of fleeing larger birds, probably jays, though again none of the characteristic screeching. Suspected spotted flycatcher, which kept boldly flying back and forth out of the trackside trees to pick up grubs off the path, but could not get a convincing view through binoculars.
Apart from a cluster of kites around Clarebrand on driving back, no predators were sighted, but there is a rumour of ospreys being seen in the area.
Thursday 21 August 2014
Thursday 21st August
Following outburst of sporting activity last weekend and resulting knee problems have not been out this week.
In spite of nor painted ladies, buddleia has done tremendously attracting other species this year, Some of the specimens of red admiral and peacock have been oustanding, beautifully marked and strikingly large.
Coal tit and blue tit have visited along with many juvenile sparrows. Notably I have not heard any swifts for some time. Perhaps they have returned early this year as temperatures are below average since July heatwave.
In spite of nor painted ladies, buddleia has done tremendously attracting other species this year, Some of the specimens of red admiral and peacock have been oustanding, beautifully marked and strikingly large.
Coal tit and blue tit have visited along with many juvenile sparrows. Notably I have not heard any swifts for some time. Perhaps they have returned early this year as temperatures are below average since July heatwave.
Wednesday 13 August 2014
Wednesday 13th August
Bike ride to New Abbey. Another bullfinch and a suspected young red kite just West of Beeswing. Interesting if correct but couldn't really check properly as was hurtling down hill at considerable speed!
Thursday 31 July 2014
Wednesday 30th July
Not particularly nice weather for bike ride to Crocketford but did see a couple of bullfinches on the way to Lochfoot roundabout and the usual flurry of goldfinches just after it.
Peacock butterflies now more numerous in the garden but still no painted lady.
Peacock butterflies now more numerous in the garden but still no painted lady.
Tuesday 29 July 2014
Tuesday 29th July
Fishing session on Brooms peg 15. Strange day. Caught a small common first cast on legered prawn, then nothing. Went into margin on short pole from 4.30 but fewer fish moving through. Could not get proper bites on meat and had feeling they were sucking the bait to test it. Finally at 8.30 p.m. took another very good mirror on triple sweetcorn. Best fight so far and fairly confident it would have beaten 10 lb. Few carp taken today but the new bridge and cut between ponds produced a couple. No sign of barbel, perhaps due to cooler weather.
Saturday 26 July 2014
Saturday 26th July
Walk round Mill Loch to see some baby pied wagtails, very grey and fluffy and a female reed bunting. Stopped briefly near bowling green on Castle Loch and spotted a sedge warbler and briefly saw the silhouette of a bird that had the shape of a grasshopper warbler (couldn't confirm).
Wednesday 23 July 2014
Wednesday 23rd July
Bike ride from Crocketford to Palnackie via Kirkgunzeon. Lovely little burn at Kirkgunzeon full of small trout - the first I've seen this summer.
A lot of buzzards on the moors near the gliding club and a couple of birds of prey circling and creeching at each other along the road from Caulkerbush to Dalbeattie. John and Tony from cycling group reckon they might have been young peregrines and on hearing the calls on the internet, this may well have been so.
A lot of buzzards on the moors near the gliding club and a couple of birds of prey circling and creeching at each other along the road from Caulkerbush to Dalbeattie. John and Tony from cycling group reckon they might have been young peregrines and on hearing the calls on the internet, this may well have been so.
Thursday 17 July 2014
Thursday 17th July
We finished off Malcolm's visit with an energetic walk right round Kirkconnel Flow. Although not as sunny as forecast, managed to see a few large heaths in flight, ringlet, meadow brown, meadow pipit, reed bunting and probable whinchat, mainly identified by call. No dragonflies or crossbills.
Wednesday 16 July 2014
Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th July
Two trips to Brooms with Malcolm, first on North side of Queensberry, second on SE corner of F1 pond.
Tuesday 15th: Malcolm v happy with three commons, bream, good perch of 2.5 lb plus 3 lb barbel (which was what I hoped he might catch). Most fish on ledgered prawn and barbel on bacon in the margin. I had a lot of small stuff in margin plus a couple of carp - can't remember exactly how many as proceedings were dominated by a long, large mirror which fought strongly for over five minutes and at first estimated at over 10 lb. The photo doesn't appear to justify this claim but is not taken from a good angle. My carp came to meat.
There was a lot of movement between pegs 15 and 16 and I clearly saw barbel passing beneath my feet. Bigger fish were taken in about 2' of water inches from the bankside weeds. This seems to be something of a big fish area. Malcolm lost a couple of good fish through heavy handed tactics.
Wednesday 16th: Wind was strong today and swim choice dubious as this once productive area has
been heavily cleared out. Malcolm could not get bites nearer to corner but I eventually contacted another big mirror, shorter but fatter, just off the remaining reed bed towards centre on meat. This one fought in a similar manner to the one yesterday - no real long runs but constant resistance under the pole tip and took ages to come up in the water. I reckoned it at about 8lb - 9lb. Then got another mirror of 5 - 6lb from the same spot. Changing to pellet, got a streaming run and a very angry fight but the result was a common of about 4lb that was foul hooked just below the dorsal fin.
I then let Malcolm try the swim and he caught a couple of nice commons on worm - the first time in the two days we managed to fish worm without attracting small perch - before losing a bigger fish.
There was a lot of movement between pegs 15 and 16 and I clearly saw barbel passing beneath my feet. Bigger fish were taken in about 2' of water inches from the bankside weeds. This seems to be something of a big fish area. Malcolm lost a couple of good fish through heavy handed tactics.
Wednesday 16th: Wind was strong today and swim choice dubious as this once productive area has
I then let Malcolm try the swim and he caught a couple of nice commons on worm - the first time in the two days we managed to fish worm without attracting small perch - before losing a bigger fish.
Thursday 10 July 2014
Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th July
Bike Ride to Caerlaverock via Brow Well and walk to Mabie Butterfly reserve.
Had alrady gone for a short walk in the fringes of Mabie last week and seen large numbers of ringlet as well as meadow brown, common blue and small pearl bordered fritillary.
On bike ride saw probable garden warbler and possible linnet in hedges at Brow Well. Meadow brown was much in evidence between there and Caerlaverock.
Not so the following day when again the ringlet was out in force and meadow brown was just now and again. Butterfly trail not overwhelmed in spite of sunny weather but did see small numbers of common blue, small heath. Fritillaries were around but not settling for long and the one I got a good look at was a dark green as I suspect were the others, so more evidence that this species is now fairly common.
Interestingly there were no sightings of red admiral, small tortoiseshell (although one dead on road) or peacock.
Also some siskins, a close view of a willow warbler as well as some glimpses of larger birds, probably woodpeckers. No sign of tree pipit.
Had alrady gone for a short walk in the fringes of Mabie last week and seen large numbers of ringlet as well as meadow brown, common blue and small pearl bordered fritillary.
On bike ride saw probable garden warbler and possible linnet in hedges at Brow Well. Meadow brown was much in evidence between there and Caerlaverock.
Not so the following day when again the ringlet was out in force and meadow brown was just now and again. Butterfly trail not overwhelmed in spite of sunny weather but did see small numbers of common blue, small heath. Fritillaries were around but not settling for long and the one I got a good look at was a dark green as I suspect were the others, so more evidence that this species is now fairly common.
Interestingly there were no sightings of red admiral, small tortoiseshell (although one dead on road) or peacock.
Also some siskins, a close view of a willow warbler as well as some glimpses of larger birds, probably woodpeckers. No sign of tree pipit.
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| Common blue |
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| Dark green fritillary |
Sunday 22 June 2014
Sunday 22nd June
Activities have been restricted by bad hay fever when attempting bike rides. Managed a run up the Cairn valley yesterday looking for redstarts and thought I saw a male fleetingly but it turned out to be a bullfinch. Otherwise a young jay and a probable dipper.
Similar trip last week even worse for hayfever, although did get a good view of a meadow pipit.
Similar trip last week even worse for hayfever, although did get a good view of a meadow pipit.
Thursday 12 June 2014
Thursday 12th June
Finally got out for another fishing trip at Broom's. Fished the Queensberry next to the bridge, which apparently attracts a lot of fish. Nothing doing further out on ledgered prawn, so switched early to short pole tactics near in, meaning to fish worm. A lot of attention from small perch and roach meant however that all but last two bigger fish were taken on glugged sweetcorn. Ended up with six common carp, though nothing much above the 2lb mark, one thin barbel of 3lb or so and five bream of varying sizes.
All fish taken close to the bridge, which produce better than the weeds to the right, made a strong lunge to get into the woodwork and as ever pulled well above their weight. Overall though I have the impression that smaller fish are starting to predominate at Brooms*.
All fish taken close to the bridge, which produce better than the weeds to the right, made a strong lunge to get into the woodwork and as ever pulled well above their weight. Overall though I have the impression that smaller fish are starting to predominate at Brooms*.
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| The thin barbel |
Wednesday 28 May 2014
Wednesday 28th May
Bike ride from Ken Dee to Gatehouse. Just past the edge of Laurieston Forest, heard a cuckoo calling and John who was following me five minutes later reported seeing it about 30 yeards from roadside.
On the top of the moor I could hear another. Stopping also got at last a close view (at last this year) of some pipits that seemed to be juveniles wanting fed and of skylarks, pretty much straight above. Made a change from just hearing them.
Today decided to count numbers of “interesting” birds, a project that was rather affected by passing Bellymack Farm at feeding time, so around 50 red kites topped the list. There were also over twenty swans just above the barrage at Glenlochar. The contest for third place was more interesting and the contenders were meadow pipit 4, swallow 4 and skylark 3.
Also saw a willow warbler returning from shops yesterday and coal tits are using bird table again on occasion.
On the top of the moor I could hear another. Stopping also got at last a close view (at last this year) of some pipits that seemed to be juveniles wanting fed and of skylarks, pretty much straight above. Made a change from just hearing them.
Today decided to count numbers of “interesting” birds, a project that was rather affected by passing Bellymack Farm at feeding time, so around 50 red kites topped the list. There were also over twenty swans just above the barrage at Glenlochar. The contest for third place was more interesting and the contenders were meadow pipit 4, swallow 4 and skylark 3.
Also saw a willow warbler returning from shops yesterday and coal tits are using bird table again on occasion.
Wednesday 21 May 2014
Wednesday 21st May
Bike ride to New Abbey via Beeswing. Large number of goldfinches approaching the Lochfoot roundabout on cycle track, but in spite of slow ride between New Abbey and Beeswing, nothing more of interest. Birds of prey notably absent.
Tuesday 20 May 2014
Tuesday 20th May
Getting out while the weather is fine, I took a walk round Earshaigs. The road up was in very poor condition. On arrival, greeted by a couple of grey wagtails, which then seemed to follow me around a bit. More orange tips etc plus a number of peacocks along the side of the plantation.
On the way back noticed a bird moving in a fallen conifer and waited for it to show. The result was a clear view of a lesser whitethroat - a rarity for these parts but I'm convinced it was one. Got a good view of the white underparts and did not have the same characteristic headshape of common whitethroat. This is the first time I've seen a lesser whitethroat in the UK.
On the way back noticed a bird moving in a fallen conifer and waited for it to show. The result was a clear view of a lesser whitethroat - a rarity for these parts but I'm convinced it was one. Got a good view of the white underparts and did not have the same characteristic headshape of common whitethroat. This is the first time I've seen a lesser whitethroat in the UK.
Sunday 18 May 2014
Sunday 18th May
Walk around Craigadam Woodland to see what was to be seen. Not too much apart from several orange tip and butterflies and various whites, a group of which were being disturbed by a large red-tailed bumble bee.
On the way back down one trail, noticed that a couple of little brown birds were picking up grit from the road. One was a chaffinch but the other wasn't, but only got side and rear views in binoculars so couldn't really identify. Could see mottled flanks, some black around the head and possibly some red on the crown. Obvious suspects would be linnet and redpoll, though I thought it looked a bit more like a twite - but it's completely the wrong time of year.
Quick view of red kite on way back to the car.
Also recent sighting of wall butterfly on the way to shops.
On the way back down one trail, noticed that a couple of little brown birds were picking up grit from the road. One was a chaffinch but the other wasn't, but only got side and rear views in binoculars so couldn't really identify. Could see mottled flanks, some black around the head and possibly some red on the crown. Obvious suspects would be linnet and redpoll, though I thought it looked a bit more like a twite - but it's completely the wrong time of year.
Quick view of red kite on way back to the car.
Also recent sighting of wall butterfly on the way to shops.
Friday 16 May 2014
Friday 16th May
Fishing at Brooms at last. A bit slow, fish just seem to be coming on. Two small commons and a decent ide (perhaps 1 ¾ lb) on prawn feeder.
Later went into the margins but missed fish for various reasons, probably due to weak hook straightening out as well as difficulty getting out of chair. But managed three skimmers, one of which was over 3lb, and another small common on pellet. Worm was starting to work late on but a lot of finicky bites.
Need to fish more often - feel I'm quite rusty.
Later went into the margins but missed fish for various reasons, probably due to weak hook straightening out as well as difficulty getting out of chair. But managed three skimmers, one of which was over 3lb, and another small common on pellet. Worm was starting to work late on but a lot of finicky bites.
Need to fish more often - feel I'm quite rusty.
Wednesday 14 May 2014
Wednesday 14th May
Rode out over the moors road to Corsock, an area I have often thought should produce bird sightings, but doesn't. Today however got a second cuckoo sighting. This bird was visibly calling from the top of an old tree in a deforested area and was being mobbed by a smaller bird. Moreover, saw a whinchat on two separate occasions, only my second and third sightings. Both were females. Added to a jay messing around in the scrubland, you could say the area has at last produced. Also two roe deer in Cairn Valley and numerous orange tip butterflies (first this year), but still no good pipit views. Did not hear skylark today.
At home swifts made their first appearance yesterday.
At home swifts made their first appearance yesterday.
Tuesday 6 May 2014
Saturday 6th May
On weeked break in Barcelona. Green parakeets much in evidence and even on Las Ramblas. Also flash of blue bird in Gruell Park, presumably a roller.
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| Green parakeets liked these trees above Las Ramblas |
Wednesday 30 April 2014
Wednesday 30th April
Cycling destination of Crocketford gave opportunity to revisit Glenkilns to check possible merlin. Did see a brown bird of prey fly to top of pine tree, where another bird attempted to mate with it! Could not get good view before it moved on but I did not think it was a merlin - too big and brown. Possibly a sparrowhawk. More exciting was however to hear and then see a cuckoo singing similarly atop a pine tree just east of Craigadam Woodlands - a first! Initially sighting was not clear but on moving to get better view it was not startled and some of the chest colouration could be seen. Also a couple of wheatear as well as usual fleeting pipits (presumably) and a stonechat or reed bunting in flight. Close up view of one wheatear on wall that appeared to have some yellow in its chest.
I tried to think if I ever saw a cuckoo when I was a kid in Nottinghamshire. I certainly heard them but I don't think I ever saw one.
Tuesday 29 April 2014
Tuesday 29th April
Fishing trip to Brooms but unfortunately Alex elected to fish the square which seems to have become a small fish haven and some of the bait was not up to standard. Soon gave up with prawn but stuck on large baits through a series of pathetic bites to capture one skimmer and one small roach. Not much movement in margins but Alex did see a couple of 'ghosts' (white koi).
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Wednesday 23rd April
Ride to Palnackie via Glenkilns, hurrying near the end as late. Typical example of the way that a number of bird sightings can occur in a short period of time, in this case going over the moor after the remaining sculpture. Two wheatear were quickly followed by a hovering kestrel when another bird of prey flew purposefully past it straight into a tree. Wondered about merlin but did not get a good view but was a bit dark for a sparrowhawk. Then there were a series of two or three grey wagtails. A lot of goldfinch around today but no red kite west of Bogle Bridge, just another pair of wheatear.
Sunday 20 April 2014
Sunday 20th April
We did a hilly walk from Stainforth near Settle. I was mainly looking out for ring ouzel on the off chance but on pausing in a village called her over to see a goldfinch on a garden feeder she happened to spot a redpoll on it too. Only my second sighting and one I've been looking forward to.
Saturday 19 April 2014
Saturday 19th April
Away for the weekend at Kirkby Lonsdale with a girlfriend - trip to Leighton Moss where I have wanted to go for some while. She saw a male marsh harrier before we even reached the car park. I was somewhat sceptical but it proved to be correct as we saw it several times and once it flew more or less straight over us. Also had an excellent view of a reed warbler singing in a bush right next to us and saw a male blackcap as well as numerous ducks including gadwall (a first I believe) and tufted ducks. Listened for bearded tit but no sign and no avocets. Did not see bittern.
Wednesday 16 April 2014
Wednesday 16th April
Today's bike ride was to Loch Arthur via Terregles and Milton. A stoat surried across the road just before Terregles. Again saw numerous birds on the way out but nothing much on the way back. Again no bird of prey. Pleasing to see a few pipits on the military road and some yellowhammers on the way down from Milton. Then saw a bird I could not identify on the edge of a field near Kirkgunzeon. Thought at first it had a white rump and was expecting to see a wheatear but it was apparent that the white was a tailflash. Also had long legs, insecteating type beak, lightish brown upper colouring with buff/white underparts. I did not get a front on view but there was no mottling beneath the wingline. It looked more like a pipit than a wader and the nearest apparent match on trawling the bird book was richard's pipit - but that is a complete longshot and I did not get a good enough view to claim a sighting. Water pipit? Has to go down as another mystery.
Wednesday 9 April 2014
Wednesday 9th April
After seeing not much last week, decided that 12 - 16 birds would be a good quota today and, perversely had already seen that number before reaching Carelaverock. More notables included lapwing, woodpecker, greenfinch, curlew, reed bunting but no bird of prey apart from a passing heron. Made a detour to check out mystery birds of last week, which of course were not present. Again heard but did not see skylarks.
Thursday 3 April 2014
Thursday 3rd April
Took bike to Gretna and rode back. Probable tree sparrow at farm near Dorncock. Did not stay long but spots on neck visible. Curlew and a mystery on the back road to Bankend. Birds observed feeding on ploughed land just past Midlocharwoods. I though they might be plovers but did not really fit the description. Grey head with some red around the eye, buff underparts with some brown mottling on chest. Didn't look like fieldfares and I can find no waders that match up - so unidentified.
Meanwhile willow warbler (or chiffchaff) appeared briefly in next door's garden and blue tits in mine.
Meanwhile willow warbler (or chiffchaff) appeared briefly in next door's garden and blue tits in mine.
Wednesday 26 March 2014
Wednesday 26th March
Bike ride to Haugh of Urr. Not so many birds showing, especially on the way back along military road, where I always feel that the farmland is heavily treated with chemicals. Several chiffchaffs heard on cycle track on the way out. A couple of lapwings playing past Shawhead and another song thrush in trees before down run to Cricketford, but not singing. Possible sparrowhawk between Crocketford and military road but too far away to be sure.
Wednesday 19 March 2014
Wednesday 19th March
Another bike ride to Auldgirth via Nether Keir. Only sixteen species identified today, partly because ended up in a peleton on the way back. Interesting inclusions were yellowhammer (three in total) and a lone magpie towards Keir, uncommon this far West. Did not see coal tit again and managed not to see sparrow, dunnock or wren, but did see first red squirrel of the spring and another lone butterfly. One cyclist says he heard chiffchaff in Glenmidge.
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Wednesday 12th March
Plenty of birdlife on the run to Corsock, so decided on a count and reached 20 different species, notably not including red kite and coal tit, which were not seen. Best sightings were treecreeper and a pair of nuthatches, one of which exhibited a baleful call note that must be typical. Last two species - goldfinch and long-tailed tit - were both on the Caledonian cycle track and sort of emblematic for the times. Also saw a single butterfly and mating attempts by buzzards and hares, though not on each other. Hares were running down the road ahead of me for a time.
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Tuesday 11th March
Better weather at last. Skived off decorating to take a look round Rusko north of Gatehouse to check for green woodpeckers. Bumped into the local gamekeeper who told me exactly where to look - but no sign! Only notable sightings were several coal tits, a nuthatch but more interestingly three peacock and one small tortoiseshell butterflies. This is nearly two weeks earlier than the early butterflies I saw in 2012.
Gamekeeper also told me he has seen increasing numbers of ravens, a golden eagle at top of Laurieston Road, peregrine falcons, red deer, two otters playing in floodwater, a sparrow hawk flying zigzags in front of his truck and a buzzard killing a baby pheasant.
Gamekeeper also told me he has seen increasing numbers of ravens, a golden eagle at top of Laurieston Road, peregrine falcons, red deer, two otters playing in floodwater, a sparrow hawk flying zigzags in front of his truck and a buzzard killing a baby pheasant.
Wednesday 5 March 2014
Wednesday 5th March
On way to Moniaive by bike, saw a hare and a dead roe deer. When I stopped for a rest at the bridge past Skinford, there was a song thrush singing constantly in a tree just above and it stayed there the whole time I was eating my snack. Grey wagtail on Cairn tributary.
By the Cairn, four woodpeckers had been drumming very close to each other. Spring is definitely on the way!
By the Cairn, four woodpeckers had been drumming very close to each other. Spring is definitely on the way!
Sunday 2 March 2014
Monday 3rd February
Trip to Mersehead with a lady friend who wanted to see the barnacle geese and also enjoyed yellowhammers, greenfinch and for me the best sighting ever of a goldcrest which persistently dotted around in the hedgerow while we looked on from only five yards away.
Saturday 1 March 2014
Saturday 1st March
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| Spot the bullfinch! |
Saturday 22 February 2014
Saturday 22nd February
While in Durham saw a number of juvenile cormorants and long-tailed tit.
Last weekend I was on a "cultural" trip to Brussels, made a chance first bird spot. A green parakeet through over the Magritte house in Jette just as we were being shown round the garden. What was not a good view (basically a silhouette against the sky) was considerably improved upon the day after when several species were spotted flying around the fringes of a park near the Foret de Seignes. Also
heard but did not see them in the area of the Parc Royal. A sign of the mild weather was a red admiral in flight at the Botanique this morning.
On the way to Foret de Seignes got a nice view of a posing cormorant (see picture).
Before this constant rain had put a halt to all nature activities for 10 days, but there was another greenfinch in the trees around the corner a day or two before I left for Brussels.
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| What a poser! |
On the way to Foret de Seignes got a nice view of a posing cormorant (see picture).
Before this constant rain had put a halt to all nature activities for 10 days, but there was another greenfinch in the trees around the corner a day or two before I left for Brussels.
Monday 3 February 2014
Monday 3rd February
Trip to Mersehead with a friend who wanted to see barnacle geese and also enjoyed yellowhammers, greenfinch and for me the best sighting ever of a goldcrest which persistently dotted around in the hedgerow while we looked on five yards away.
Partly thanks to others also saw pintails, teal (first time for me), wigeon, shellduck and shoveler as well as numerous curlew. She also thought she saw snipe but I could not confirm. Did not see tree sparrows or reed buntings on this occasion.
Partly thanks to others also saw pintails, teal (first time for me), wigeon, shellduck and shoveler as well as numerous curlew. She also thought she saw snipe but I could not confirm. Did not see tree sparrows or reed buntings on this occasion.
Wednesday 29 January 2014
Wednesday 29th January
Bike ride from Crocketford - Palnackie. Large number of buzzards on the moor running towards Kirkpatrick Durham and a single red kite. Again thought I heard redpolls in Scots Pine on the way to Old Bridge Of Urr but too high up to get a sighting. One lone kestrel on the way back.
Wednesday 22 January 2014
Wednesday 22nd January
Bike ride to Loch Arthur. Again suspected linnets on the way out to Mavis Drive but can prove nothing. Definite song thrush in same area, singing from tree. A few redwing showing in trees near Kinharvie and one tufted duck with chicks on Loch Arthur itself.
No observations on return as went with the peleton.
Monday 13 January 2014
Monday 13th January
Back from a series of walks resulting from a weekend away at Malcolm's in Sheffield. Did Amber Valley, Derwent Reservoir and the yellow trail at Mabie on returning here, though managed to get lost and make a massive detour.
Good to see that there are still a few kestrels patrolling the A1(M) along with many magpies. Malcolm saw his first siskin at Derwent, which was followed by a host of them (perhaps 40 - 50) feeding on the ground at Mabie.
We also complimeted each other's poor knowledge of trees to identify alders, larches and ashes.
Good to see that there are still a few kestrels patrolling the A1(M) along with many magpies. Malcolm saw his first siskin at Derwent, which was followed by a host of them (perhaps 40 - 50) feeding on the ground at Mabie.
We also complimeted each other's poor knowledge of trees to identify alders, larches and ashes.
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| Keeping Derwent Reservoir Clean |
Wednesday 8 January 2014
Wednesday 8th January 2014
Bike ride to Castle Douglas. Lone whooper swan sitting in field just past Crocketford. One strong flying bird of prey not identified - looked a bit dark to be a buzzard but low light was tricky.
Just one redwing in distance coming back over Glenkilns and none of the flocks of three weeks ago. Perhaps they are already going back to Scandinavia in the mild conditions. Also no waxwings around as far as I can tell from checking sites and occasional run past the churchyard.
Just one redwing in distance coming back over Glenkilns and none of the flocks of three weeks ago. Perhaps they are already going back to Scandinavia in the mild conditions. Also no waxwings around as far as I can tell from checking sites and occasional run past the churchyard.
Thursday 2 January 2014
Thursday 2nd January 2014
Break in some terribly wet weather enabling bike trip to and through Ae Forest.
Started well with bullfinch and goldfinches before weather closed in. Suspected crossbill flying off in forest and may have heard some calling.
At home there has been a wren in the garden and a blackbird that has learned to 'walk on water' by clinging to the pond net to eat the fishfood from the surface.
Started well with bullfinch and goldfinches before weather closed in. Suspected crossbill flying off in forest and may have heard some calling.
At home there has been a wren in the garden and a blackbird that has learned to 'walk on water' by clinging to the pond net to eat the fishfood from the surface.
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