Another rainy and very blustery day with strong winds and fallen leaves and the chilly temperature made it seem more like October than June!! The wonderful vagaries of a Scottish summer! On arrival in Musselburgh we parked up near the racecourse and went along the track next to the sea wall
where we saw a huge flock of eider ducks and swans at the mouth of the River Esk and also lots of other seabirds, most of whom were hunkered down on the shore waiting until the gale force winds subsided a bit.
The track was a bit of a nightmare as it was almost totally flooded and covered in huge pools of water which was indicative of the amount of rain that has fallen recently. eventually we made it to the lagoons after crossing through a wooded area with young trees which has been reclaimed from waste ground so that is very positive. A path up to the lagoons takes you to 3 brick built bird hides with no roof on them? but they do afford good views of the birds in the lagoons and today we spotted curlews, redshank, snipe, shelduck, goosander, various ducks and swans as well as various LBJs so it was a worthwhile exercise despite the poor weather. We have decided to return in the autumn (not tomorrow but a few months!) and hopefully see some other birds on a nicer day! As we made our way back along the coastal path the weather improved a bit and plenty of swifts and swallows were flying about.
As it was still early and we were in the area we decided to head for the NTS garden at Inveresk Lodge which is just along the road behind Musselburgh. On arrival at 930 we found that it did not open until 10.00 so we decided to park up nearby and enjoy our breakfast of rolls and porridge washed down with coffee! The warden informed us that a good bit of the meadow area was flooded and sodden with water so we were unable to visit the pond. However the rest of the garden was nice enough and it was interesting to read the history of the place which was fascinating. A Mr and Mrs Brunton, who were local businesspeople, bought the property in 1911 and began transforming the garden and the meadow up to the point where peacocks and golden pheasants roamed around. Today the mixture of mature gardens and meadow is a haven for wildlife including a wide variety of birds, bats, butterflies, foxes and frogs. A few corners of the garden are a bit shabby but overall it is a pleasant place for a stroll and some wildlife watching!
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Blackford Hill 22 June
We went for an evening walk to Blackford Hill on this wet soggy evening and thankfully it the torrential rain and thunderstorms from earlier had stopped although the ground was soaking wet and the braidburn was in spate!!! What a day for midsummer!
Did not spot too much as we alked through the Hermitage but as we got near Blackford glen there were a lot of swifts and swallows flying about but the highlight was seeing a young baby roe deer sheltering behind a bush in a nearby field - it looked about 2/3 months old and very cute. A buzzard also flew overhead as we climbed up the hill through the soaking wet grass. Great views as the clouds had cleared away but the midges were out in force so we beat a hasty retreat back down the hill and through the Hermitage and before we got back to the car saw a fox ambling along the path in front of us!
Did not spot too much as we alked through the Hermitage but as we got near Blackford glen there were a lot of swifts and swallows flying about but the highlight was seeing a young baby roe deer sheltering behind a bush in a nearby field - it looked about 2/3 months old and very cute. A buzzard also flew overhead as we climbed up the hill through the soaking wet grass. Great views as the clouds had cleared away but the midges were out in force so we beat a hasty retreat back down the hill and through the Hermitage and before we got back to the car saw a fox ambling along the path in front of us!
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Blackford Hill 20 June
A very early start today out before 6am to blackford hill on a nice summer morning with little wuind and nice sunshine! makes a change! We started off at blackford pond and saw geese, various ducks, lots of jackdaws magpies and various other birds flying about.......very lively place! We passed a pair of swans at the side of the pond and they hissed loudly as we passed as they had 4 young cygnets sitting on the ground sleeping. After the pond we took one of the circular paths which culminated in a steep climb up to the top of the hill. Blackford hill really is a great viewpoint and you can see all of the Lothians and Fife......and well beyond to even see Ben lomond on a clear day although it was a bit too hazy today. By 630 am the sun was shining over Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags and the swifts and swallows were zooming about overhead..........this is what summer should be all about we decided as we took in the glorious views!
After making our way downhill past lots of scarpering bunnies we returned to the pond for a walk past and got a fleeting glimpse of a Kingfisher flying across the pond! This was a real treat as we did not know that you got them here as we have never seen one here or in the nearby Hermitage of Braid so that was a nice way to finish a pleasant early morning walk.
After making our way downhill past lots of scarpering bunnies we returned to the pond for a walk past and got a fleeting glimpse of a Kingfisher flying across the pond! This was a real treat as we did not know that you got them here as we have never seen one here or in the nearby Hermitage of Braid so that was a nice way to finish a pleasant early morning walk.
Craigmill Den 18 June
Weather a bit better today so we decided to take a walk to a local beauty spot just outside Carnoustie which is know locally as the 'Fairy Steps' - not sure why it is called that but if any local can tell me then thats great!
It was actually quite sunny on the walk and to begin with we saw plenty of swifts, swallows and other small birds flying and buzzing about overhead. There was a mature gentleman on the path doing some spotting with his binoculars and he greeted us with a friendly hello and introduced himself as Bob McCurley from the Dundee\Angus birding club. Bob proved to be a very engaging and informative individual with great knowledge of birds and told us he was just back from a birdwatching\wildlife trip in the Spanish Pyrenees so he was a real enthusiast and it was nice to meet him. He had been to this spot yesterday and spotted some 16 different species of bird and he was trying to spot some more today! He pointed out a lot of whitethroats flying about and there were also swallows, swifts, goldfinches and a few warblers all buzzing around this nice little den. Bob told us that a friend of his spotted a bee-eater bird here a few weeks ago, which is amazing as they tend only to be found in the south of England in the UK.
After a good chat with Bob we walked up and down the Den (which is not the longest) and saw a buzzard and a kestrel and on the way back we got a glimpse of a Fox slinking through the gorse bushes on the other side of the burn. This place is lovely and green and blooming with wildflowers so highly recommended although it is a fairly short walk.
It was actually quite sunny on the walk and to begin with we saw plenty of swifts, swallows and other small birds flying and buzzing about overhead. There was a mature gentleman on the path doing some spotting with his binoculars and he greeted us with a friendly hello and introduced himself as Bob McCurley from the Dundee\Angus birding club. Bob proved to be a very engaging and informative individual with great knowledge of birds and told us he was just back from a birdwatching\wildlife trip in the Spanish Pyrenees so he was a real enthusiast and it was nice to meet him. He had been to this spot yesterday and spotted some 16 different species of bird and he was trying to spot some more today! He pointed out a lot of whitethroats flying about and there were also swallows, swifts, goldfinches and a few warblers all buzzing around this nice little den. Bob told us that a friend of his spotted a bee-eater bird here a few weeks ago, which is amazing as they tend only to be found in the south of England in the UK.
After a good chat with Bob we walked up and down the Den (which is not the longest) and saw a buzzard and a kestrel and on the way back we got a glimpse of a Fox slinking through the gorse bushes on the other side of the burn. This place is lovely and green and blooming with wildflowers so highly recommended although it is a fairly short walk.
Carnoustie 17 June
A wet and breezy day today with a lot of steady rain - still, must look on the bright side as rain cleanses and makes things grow!! Everywhere is so green just now because of all the rain! We rose early and drove the short distance to Crombie country park which was looking lovely and green despite the wet weather. Last time we were here we saw a red squirrel but despite looking in the same area there were no signs this time of any squirrel activity! As we walked around the loch we were on the lookout for sandmartins as there is an artificial nest building with lots of nest holes for them. However despite seeing a few swallows and swifts flying about we did not spot any sandmartins flying in or out the nest holes or over the loch as we watched from the impressive bird hide at the side of Crombie loch.
Continuing on our walk around the loch we saw a buzzard and then a heron flew past and disappeared into the reeds at the lochside! after this we then came across a pair of swans with 5 cygnets just drifting along at the edge of the loch in search of food! That was basically it but the big question we were asking ourselves at the end of the walk was 'where are all the sandmartins'? Do they not come out in wet weather or is it just a poor year for them? anyone know the answer please let us know!
On return to Carnoustie we proceeded to settle down in Cas's mums conservatory and watched loads of goldfinches and greenfinches feeding and squabbling over the birdseed! Saw a young goldfinch which had not fully developed its plumage and looked baldy on top like AN Other! A nice day despite the rainy weather.
Continuing on our walk around the loch we saw a buzzard and then a heron flew past and disappeared into the reeds at the lochside! after this we then came across a pair of swans with 5 cygnets just drifting along at the edge of the loch in search of food! That was basically it but the big question we were asking ourselves at the end of the walk was 'where are all the sandmartins'? Do they not come out in wet weather or is it just a poor year for them? anyone know the answer please let us know!
On return to Carnoustie we proceeded to settle down in Cas's mums conservatory and watched loads of goldfinches and greenfinches feeding and squabbling over the birdseed! Saw a young goldfinch which had not fully developed its plumage and looked baldy on top like AN Other! A nice day despite the rainy weather.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Blairgowrie, Alyth 16 June
Got out early at 6am for a walk along the river Ericht which flows right through Blairgowrie. A bit of a wet morning but not cold so we parked up and set off on walk. Quite a few birds flying up and down the river but nothing unusual although we did see a couple of goosanders. Further on up the riverside saw a red squirrel crossing the river on a fallen tree and then scarpering off into a garden to feed! We waited for a bit and then saw it coming back again! That was the highlight of the walk as we did not see much more before returning to the car.
After a hearty breakfast back at the hotel we set off for Alyth to do the Den of Alyth walk just outside the village near Glen Isla. The walk here through mixed mature woodland and a steep-sided valley next to the Burn of Alyth is a very pleasant experience and very relaxing. On this occasion we were fortunate that the shady mature trees gave us good shelter from the steady rain that was falling. We did not spot too much in the way of wildlife apart from a grey wagtail and a dipper but this did not take away from what was a lovely walk in a lovely spot. We were under cover for virtually the whole walk so stayed nice and dry for the most part.
After a hearty breakfast back at the hotel we set off for Alyth to do the Den of Alyth walk just outside the village near Glen Isla. The walk here through mixed mature woodland and a steep-sided valley next to the Burn of Alyth is a very pleasant experience and very relaxing. On this occasion we were fortunate that the shady mature trees gave us good shelter from the steady rain that was falling. We did not spot too much in the way of wildlife apart from a grey wagtail and a dipper but this did not take away from what was a lovely walk in a lovely spot. We were under cover for virtually the whole walk so stayed nice and dry for the most part.
Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld 15 June
Friday morning
Weather not so good today, in fact it was awful, cold and rainy. It didn't matter though as we had planned to go to the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre which can be enjoyed in all weathers! When we got there, there was loads of actions going on at the bird feeders, including red squirrels (one was a kit as it didn't have any ear tufts yet), siskins and baby siskins, mallards and chicks, pheasants and blue tits and chaffinches. There is a special white-headed female chaffinch, called Blondie, but unfortunately we didn't see her. She and a brown woodpecker (it's brown where it should be black) the warden explained have been recorded on the anomalies register. We saw the male osprey fly into the nest, he didn't have a fish, he was only paying a flying visit. Apparently the male will stay close by the nest when he's not out hunting for fish to keep an eye on things. Crows and herons can also be a threat to the chick when it is really small. The female also got out for a fly about to stretch her wings. The chick is really doing well. The other eggs haven't hatched, so the parents can devote all their attention to this one chick. Popped into Dunkeld (saw a buzzard on the way) for a bite to eat and then came back to the centre (your ticket covers you for the whole day) as it was pretty miserable and there wasn't much else to do in that weather. Went back to the hides and saw some deer across the other side of the loch. Also saw the great crested grebes and some chicks. Spotted a jay from the hide and also saw one on the feeders later. The woodpeckers are great - the wardens put peanut butter into holes in the trees beside the feeders and the woodpeckers enjoy pecking it out - there is a young family who have been coming to the feeders for a bit. It really is a fantastic place and the ospreys are really the jewel in the crown and top marks to the SWT for investing in the facilities which are first class.
Weather not so good today, in fact it was awful, cold and rainy. It didn't matter though as we had planned to go to the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre which can be enjoyed in all weathers! When we got there, there was loads of actions going on at the bird feeders, including red squirrels (one was a kit as it didn't have any ear tufts yet), siskins and baby siskins, mallards and chicks, pheasants and blue tits and chaffinches. There is a special white-headed female chaffinch, called Blondie, but unfortunately we didn't see her. She and a brown woodpecker (it's brown where it should be black) the warden explained have been recorded on the anomalies register. We saw the male osprey fly into the nest, he didn't have a fish, he was only paying a flying visit. Apparently the male will stay close by the nest when he's not out hunting for fish to keep an eye on things. Crows and herons can also be a threat to the chick when it is really small. The female also got out for a fly about to stretch her wings. The chick is really doing well. The other eggs haven't hatched, so the parents can devote all their attention to this one chick. Popped into Dunkeld (saw a buzzard on the way) for a bite to eat and then came back to the centre (your ticket covers you for the whole day) as it was pretty miserable and there wasn't much else to do in that weather. Went back to the hides and saw some deer across the other side of the loch. Also saw the great crested grebes and some chicks. Spotted a jay from the hide and also saw one on the feeders later. The woodpeckers are great - the wardens put peanut butter into holes in the trees beside the feeders and the woodpeckers enjoy pecking it out - there is a young family who have been coming to the feeders for a bit. It really is a fantastic place and the ospreys are really the jewel in the crown and top marks to the SWT for investing in the facilities which are first class.
Perth, Scone and Blairgowrie. 14 June
Away for a wee minibreak in Perthshire area. Left at 6am and arrived at Kinnoul Hill just outside Perth at 730. Drove up to the main car park form Kinfauns and the weather was nice enough but a bit breezy. The walk up to the point is a pleasant stroll through mixed woodland that is home to various birds, red squirrels, roe deer and various wildflower, although on this occasion we did not spot deer or squirrels! Spotted various birds including bullfinches, buzzards and a couple of nesting kestrels chasing a buzzard away from their nest!
The view form the top of Kinnoul hill up the River Tay is amazing and it is a great vantage point for looking over the Friarton bridge to Perth and beyond. We proceeded to admire the view whilst sitting on a bench having our breakfast and watching the various birds flying up and down the steep cliffs.
Can't believe I have never been up here before despite passing below on the Perth-Dundee road scores of times!
After the pleasant walk back to the car through these lovely woods we drove the short drive into Perth to the NTS Bracklin garden, another first for us! It is one of the smaller gardens the NTS have but oh what a garden! They have an amazing collection of mecanopsis (Himalayan blue poppies) and the garden is absolutely stuffed full of things. Had a great chat with the manager's wife, Annette - there are lots of benches that people have put there in memory of friends and relatives so it's a very special place to a lot of people - Annette said that some old guys put in a bench in memory of their friend and every year on the anniversary of the guy's birthday they would come and sit on the bench and drink a few G&Ts and have a toast to their friend! There were lots of wee birds, including robin, green finches.
Then went on to Scone Palace to see the fabled hawfinch (saw a programme about them on Landward) - thought they would be all over the place and easy to spot but alas that was not the case. Thought we saw one in the trees but not a 100% sure - they have a special cry "deek waree ree ree" according to the bird book which we thought we heard but again not totally sure. Even though we didn't get a definite sighting, we were rewarded with lots of other great things - saw goldfinches, robins, loads of chaffinches, pheasant and a red squirrel ran out right in front of us. The grounds were pretty spectacular and there were special trees in the pinetum. Nuthatches are also starting to be spotted in the palace grounds but we didn't see them David Douglas, plant hunter of the Douglas Fir fame, was a gardener at Scone Palace and he died very young, only 37, on a trip to Hawaii where he fell into a pit dug to catch wild boar.
After that had a very pleasant drive to our hotel in Blairgowrie (the Altamount - very nice!) - the hotel had peacocks, including a white one (he was apparently the bossy one!) and also three peacock chicks who were very cute - you wouldn't have guessed that they would grow into peacocks just by looking at them!
After a quick meal in the hotel, we then went out to see the Beavers at Bamff Estate (their website is brilliant - link to go in) - one of the main reasons for our trip. Paul Ramsay, the estate owner, showed us round and explained the background of why the beavers came to be there and all the work the beavers had been up to - they have been very busy beavers indeed, damming streams and felling trees. He also set up a camera trap on one of the areas the beavers had been working. We also spotted a couple of wild boar from the estate coming down the path. When we finally went to the big pond we were absolutely amazed, we couldn't believe it when we saw several beavers out. We were fairly close to them but we were very quiet and they didn't seem to mind us being there. They seemed to be eating grasses/sedges. They are wonderful animals, so peaceful and utterly captivating. Also saw jays, sandmartins and swallows flying about. Went to visit another smaller pond and saw another beaver there. Paul was so knowledgeable and told us all about the wildlife on the estate, including otters and pine martens - we also saw lots of chewed pine cones left by red squirrels. He is very wildlife friendly and it was great to meet a landowner with such an enlightened view. There is a holiday flat attached to the big house and we said we would definitely be back next year for a week-long visit - it would be a week in a wildlife paradise - what a holiday that would be!
Also spotted some more wild boar (including little boar-lets!) on the drive out and as if that wasn't enough, a hare ran out in front of us and ran along beside the car for a few seconds before jumping into a field. Also saw some deer too on the way back to the hotel. What an evening!
The view form the top of Kinnoul hill up the River Tay is amazing and it is a great vantage point for looking over the Friarton bridge to Perth and beyond. We proceeded to admire the view whilst sitting on a bench having our breakfast and watching the various birds flying up and down the steep cliffs.
Can't believe I have never been up here before despite passing below on the Perth-Dundee road scores of times!
After the pleasant walk back to the car through these lovely woods we drove the short drive into Perth to the NTS Bracklin garden, another first for us! It is one of the smaller gardens the NTS have but oh what a garden! They have an amazing collection of mecanopsis (Himalayan blue poppies) and the garden is absolutely stuffed full of things. Had a great chat with the manager's wife, Annette - there are lots of benches that people have put there in memory of friends and relatives so it's a very special place to a lot of people - Annette said that some old guys put in a bench in memory of their friend and every year on the anniversary of the guy's birthday they would come and sit on the bench and drink a few G&Ts and have a toast to their friend! There were lots of wee birds, including robin, green finches.
Then went on to Scone Palace to see the fabled hawfinch (saw a programme about them on Landward) - thought they would be all over the place and easy to spot but alas that was not the case. Thought we saw one in the trees but not a 100% sure - they have a special cry "deek waree ree ree" according to the bird book which we thought we heard but again not totally sure. Even though we didn't get a definite sighting, we were rewarded with lots of other great things - saw goldfinches, robins, loads of chaffinches, pheasant and a red squirrel ran out right in front of us. The grounds were pretty spectacular and there were special trees in the pinetum. Nuthatches are also starting to be spotted in the palace grounds but we didn't see them David Douglas, plant hunter of the Douglas Fir fame, was a gardener at Scone Palace and he died very young, only 37, on a trip to Hawaii where he fell into a pit dug to catch wild boar.
After that had a very pleasant drive to our hotel in Blairgowrie (the Altamount - very nice!) - the hotel had peacocks, including a white one (he was apparently the bossy one!) and also three peacock chicks who were very cute - you wouldn't have guessed that they would grow into peacocks just by looking at them!
After a quick meal in the hotel, we then went out to see the Beavers at Bamff Estate (their website is brilliant - link to go in) - one of the main reasons for our trip. Paul Ramsay, the estate owner, showed us round and explained the background of why the beavers came to be there and all the work the beavers had been up to - they have been very busy beavers indeed, damming streams and felling trees. He also set up a camera trap on one of the areas the beavers had been working. We also spotted a couple of wild boar from the estate coming down the path. When we finally went to the big pond we were absolutely amazed, we couldn't believe it when we saw several beavers out. We were fairly close to them but we were very quiet and they didn't seem to mind us being there. They seemed to be eating grasses/sedges. They are wonderful animals, so peaceful and utterly captivating. Also saw jays, sandmartins and swallows flying about. Went to visit another smaller pond and saw another beaver there. Paul was so knowledgeable and told us all about the wildlife on the estate, including otters and pine martens - we also saw lots of chewed pine cones left by red squirrels. He is very wildlife friendly and it was great to meet a landowner with such an enlightened view. There is a holiday flat attached to the big house and we said we would definitely be back next year for a week-long visit - it would be a week in a wildlife paradise - what a holiday that would be!
Also spotted some more wild boar (including little boar-lets!) on the drive out and as if that wasn't enough, a hare ran out in front of us and ran along beside the car for a few seconds before jumping into a field. Also saw some deer too on the way back to the hotel. What an evening!
Blackford Hill Mon 11 June
Up early today for a 6am walk to the Blackord hill. Not such a great morning as it was a bit grey and drizzly but not too chilly. Did not see too much wildlife on this walk apart from loads of rabbits and a couple of squirrels and a few of the regular birds like jackdaws, crows, magpies etc. Only walking for an hour or so so not too much to report but a nice start to the day in any case.
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Saturday 9 June Helensburgh area
Took a trip through to the west early this morning on a mission to combine some walking with visiting relatives in Helensburgh. It was a nice enough morning and we were away at 6am with the objective of arriving at Ardmore Point for about 730 for a pleasant early morning stroll around this lovely bird and wildlife sanctuary.
On arrival at 725 we were greeted by some pleasant sunshine and hardly a breath of wind so we sett off with breakfast packed into our rucksacks on the circular around the point. There were plenty of seabirds buzzing around the shore including shelduck, merganser, oystercatcher and mallard. other notable sightings included flocks of starlings and a couple of buzzards. At a point on the shore facing Greenock we stopped for breakfast and were lucky enough to spot 3 seals swimming about not too far offshore, a great sight! Two of them pulled up on rocks just below the water and just did a bit of impromptu sunbathing as it was a lovely morning!!
After breakfast we continued our walk and to our great delight found a small bluetit fledgling trying to fly on the path right in front of us! We thought it might be good to catch it and remove it from the path incase someone stood on it or it was caught by a dog or even a marauding cat.
On arrival at 725 we were greeted by some pleasant sunshine and hardly a breath of wind so we sett off with breakfast packed into our rucksacks on the circular around the point. There were plenty of seabirds buzzing around the shore including shelduck, merganser, oystercatcher and mallard. other notable sightings included flocks of starlings and a couple of buzzards. At a point on the shore facing Greenock we stopped for breakfast and were lucky enough to spot 3 seals swimming about not too far offshore, a great sight! Two of them pulled up on rocks just below the water and just did a bit of impromptu sunbathing as it was a lovely morning!!
After breakfast we continued our walk and to our great delight found a small bluetit fledgling trying to fly on the path right in front of us! We thought it might be good to catch it and remove it from the path incase someone stood on it or it was caught by a dog or even a marauding cat.
Tuesday 5 June REH grounds.
A wet and soggy morning today and everything was damp and wet. Took an early morning walk through the grounds of the REH which has lovely wooded grounds with lots of mixed mature trees and an abundance of wildlife! Plenty of birds singing this morning and lots of rabbits and squirrels out and about but the highlight was a fleeting glimpse of a badger which disappeared into some bushes and then went through a hole in the boundary wall next to the adjacent rail line! A very unexpected bonus as we did not expect to see one of them this morning although we had heard that you get them here. This is such an oasis of peace and tranquility that its sometimes hard to believe that you are surrounded by housing, roads and traffic nearby.
Monday 4 June - Hermitage of Braid
An early morning (6am) start today on a nice sunny summer morning to the Hermitage. A lovely place for a walk with lots of mature mixed woodland, streams and plants, animals and wildflowers - an amateur naturalists delight! It was also very, very quiet and we only saw 1 man and his dog!
Spotted a few birds this morning including dippers, thrushes and heron. Plenty of bunnies out and about and also a couple of squirrels too. A nice way to start the day but weather clouded over later on so got the best of the day with being out early.
Spotted a few birds this morning including dippers, thrushes and heron. Plenty of bunnies out and about and also a couple of squirrels too. A nice way to start the day but weather clouded over later on so got the best of the day with being out early.
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Sunday 3 june
A nicer day weather wise today as there were some nice sunny spells but the odd spot of rain. Today we took a walk along the water of leith which was idyllic and so peaceful. All the wildflower was blooming and there was lots of birdsong so it was lovely to be out on a nature walk today and enjoy all the sights, smells and sounds of this time of year. Ended up going into the grounds of the Scottish gallery of Modern Art and saw a few swifts and swallows flying about over the grassy banks.
Back on the river sawa couple of dippers and a few squirrels in the leafy branches. Also spotted a couple of bullfinches and a possible outlier badger sett so definitely a worthwhile exercise and always a pleasure to walk along the riverside here as it is a haven for animals, plants and flowers.
Back on the river sawa couple of dippers and a few squirrels in the leafy branches. Also spotted a couple of bullfinches and a possible outlier badger sett so definitely a worthwhile exercise and always a pleasure to walk along the riverside here as it is a haven for animals, plants and flowers.
Saturday 2 June
Went on a badger survey in west edinburgh area with officials from the local badger group. A bit of a breezy day today and some spots of rain too so mixed weather. Found lots of badger setts in the area we were looking at but no badgers as it was the middle of the day! However saw plenty of other wildlife including bunnies, squirrels, and plenty of birds including treecreepers, oystercatchers, mallard, eider and shelduck. Also spotted the now customary buzzards and a kestrel. An interesting day out.
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