5th - 12th September

Holiday in Corfu, where there were still plenty of swallows and, if I am not mistaken, some of the red-rumped variety.  Also a number of very large birds of prey gliding at high altitude that I could not identify.  They weren't buzzards.

A couple of light-hearted attempts to catch fish off the rocks on sweetcorn (!), the second of which was looking promising as I could see the fish scouring around the bottom and taking the free offerings - until a huge wave from an ocean liner introduced storm conditions into the microcosm. Once they had subsided and the bottom cleared again, the fish had moved on.

Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to fish for the large numbers of mullet hanging around an outlet from the nature reserve next to St Spyridon Beach, as a sign in Greek and Italian said no fishing.  No rule against feeding them though and I could conclusively prove that mullet will eat sweetcorn, making it to my mind a better potential bait than bread, which they just knock to pieces most of the time.  On Rhodes, I saw the Greeks catching them on houmos paste, float fished at distance, and was duly impressed.

Previously had been watching out at home to see if my theory that swifts will not be sighted or heard after the end of August is true. I think I did hear a couple yesterday, so perhaps sighting a swift in September is just about possible. Swallows are also suddenly scarce around the estate, although tonight I was out with some people who live in farming areas and tell me there are still plenty around.

23rd July

Went a bit astray on a walk at the RSPB reserve at north end of Loch Ken, mistaking the boundary for a footpath.  Ended up in deep reeds and with major hay fever outburst.

The big compensation occurred on the approach path, when I got good close up views of two or three sedge warblers - not uncommon but a first for me.

It also rained and got wet feet as on the two previous trips this week.  Decided this will be the last of my walks in this frankly awful summer.

21st July

Bike ride and walk round Kirkconnel Flow. Fairly quiet overall. Saw two ringlets, one meadow brown and one small heath, a first sighting although not uncommon. Apparently Large Heath is also present. Large number of meadow pipits on central bog, so might be a place to look for merlin. Also roe deer in binocs whilst watching pipits. Heard several but only saw one bird of prey, too far away to identify. Also heard possible redpoll. Walk round the bog is hard work as mostly rough underfoot.

17th July

Walk at Moffat Community Wildlife Reserve.  Willow warblers, redstarts.  Plenty of butterflies in spite of mixed weather -  ringlets, meadow browns (several although apparently in decline elsewhere) and two small tortoiseshells.  Pleasant mixed habitat.

Also did Earshaig Walk.  Lots of siskins, spotted woodpecker and excellent view of male redstart on way marker  Lots more ringlets and two large(?) skippers.

13th July

Brief walk at Knowetop Lochs where saw several jays. Bike ride from New Galloway down Loch Ken and back via Bellymack/Laurieston. Swift flew out of an eve and almost crashed into me on New Galloway High Street! Siskin by Black Water of Dee and many red kites on way back. Goldfinches, ringlet butterflies. Stopped at Ken Dee Marshes to look out for wood warbler, but no sign.

24th June

Day before yesterday bike ride to Penpont via Morrinton.  Bullfinch by station, first sighting for a long time.  Also whitethroat on minor road west of Cairn.  Return journey ruined by heavy rain.

Today RSPB Geltsdale, Stagsike/Woodland Walk.  Nice mixture of habitats.  Surprised to see linnet on farmland.  Black swan and canada geese on lake, then osprey being mobbed, seen from distance on way into woods.  Several meadow pipits and two kestrel.  Female stonechat and, saving best for last, female whinchats near Howgill Farm - another first sighting.

17th June

By today the weather was really closing in so the result was a short morning walk in Dunwich Forest before heading home.  I might have heard a green woodpecker, but once again, the woodland birds were simply not coming out to play, apart from the several magpies that are everywhere.  A brief dartford warbler suspect moved on too quickly to be verified through binoculars.  But I did see three male red deer cross my path, already showing impressive antlers.  On a last circuit looking for a mystery bird hide shown on the displayed map, a volley of tits passed my way including at least one marsh/willow tit - the habitat would suggest marsh tit but I can't tell the difference with any confidence.

So the woodland exotics - green woodpecker, tree pipit and nightingale will need to be left for another day and only the first two will be possible locally.  In a way it's good to know there's still something to aim for near where I live, which is why not seeing sedge warbler or egret didn't concern me much. But I really wanted that woodpecker...