After a full day stuck in the house last Saturday, I managed to get out for a teatime walk on the river by Threave Castle. The most striking thing on the way to the ferry landing was the number of red kites following the farm vehicles working on the land. There was actually a sign towards the end of the walk noting that they do this to catch insects and worms that get churned up, plus any small animals that might get killed. It was certainly a spectacle!
Ospreys were then duly spotted in the distance in and flying over the nest. I then spent a longish time confirming a view of a peregrine falcon that is now nesting on the castle itself. At first the sun was a nuisance, then I ended up taking pictures from upstream, which meant it was mostly a rear view. But the poor pictures I got confirmed the slate grey back and a hint of white at the neck. Curiously a crow landed very near it as if looking for a chance to steal some eggs and the peregrine did nothing to chase it off.
Up by the weir there were numerous green-veined whites playing amongst the bluebells. Also sighted were willow warbler, blackcap a couple of lapwing, some orange tips and (as on previous visits) a cheeky robin begging for food. Oh, and another in the series of (for me) hard to identify pink flowers.
But the best photograph I got was of this swallow peering over the roof of one of the farm buildings. I don't think s/he meant to look as angry.
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| Swallow |
As I left a couple of people arrived who were looking for otters.
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