Grey Mare's Tail, Scottish Borders

Outside the local area, I went on a National Trust for Scotland Wild flower Walk at the Grey Mare's tail reserve near Moffat in the Scottish Borders.

Gosford Estate, Aberlady, East Lothain

Took advantage of the exceptionally warm, sunny weather today to visit Gosford Estate near the village of Aberlady in East Lothian. I walked though an area of mixed farmland and woodland, and though most birds seem to have gone silent by now, several Yellowhammers were still at it with their characteristic 'bread and no cheese' song.

Butterflies on the wing included several Small Tortoiseshells, many ringlets and Green Veined Whites, and the occasional Meadow Brown.

Linn Dean, Midlothian

I visited Linn Dean today, a reserve to the South of Edinburgh managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This visit was organised jointly through the Edinburgh Natural History Soc and the Butterfly Conservation Trust. The reserve lies just off the A68 road, in the shadow of, but not blighted by the large wind farm on Soutra Hill. It really is a hidden gem - a deep stream valley that becomes a gorge in sections before disappearing into a conifer forest.


It's a great area for butterflies - we saw quite a a few Northern Brown Argus, a good many Dark Green Fritillaries (photo), and numerous Small Heaths, Ringlets and others. Yellow Shell and Six Spot Burnet moths (photo) were recorded too.

Rock Rose, Common Spotted and Northern Marsh Orchid, Marsh Cinquefoil and Moonwort were among the plants seen on the day.

Gladhouse, Moorfoot HIlls, Midlothian

Took a short walk round part of Gladhouse reservoir in the Moorfoot Hills today. Almost literally stumbled on this nest of 4 very young pheasant chicks whose mother made off into the undergrowth, re-uniting with her brood after I'd passed.

A pleasant, warm afternoon, with dozens of Ringlets and a few Meadow Browns flyng.

RSPB Bird Cruise, Firth of Forth

Joined one of the annual summer bird cruises on the Firth of Forth this morning. Weather calm and peaceful as we set out from Queensferry but an hour later we were battling a gale force wind, and the boat had to turn back before we got to Inchkeith island.

Plenty of birds seen including good close-ups of Gannet, Puffin, Fulmar, Terns, Razorbill and Guillemot, plus a flock of common Scoter flying over.

Many grey and a few common seals hauled out on the rocks and buoys.

Mortonhall Estate, Edinburgh

This pleasant area of farmland, with its network of paths and country lanes, lies on the southern fringes of the city next to Fairmilehead. It's within the city bypass and the sound of traffic is always there, but today I came across three brown hares and lost count of the number of small tortoiseshell butterflies on the wing. Birds encountered included Yellowhammer, Blackcap and Whitethroat - all still singing quite clearly.

Kindrogan, Perthshire

Outside the Lothian area, I've recently been doing a couple of courses at the Kindrogan Field Studies Centre near Pitlochry. Last weekend I did a mammals identification course run by the Mammal Society, which included a lot of practical outdoor work on trapping and recording small mammals in and around Kindrogan House in the river Ardle valley. We caught a total of 28 mammals (mainly woodmice and bank voles, with one common shrew) in Longworth traps over the course of 3 days, releasing them all quickly once we'd had a chance to observe and handle them. We also went out hunting for tracks and 'scats' of Pine Marten and other animals, recording some good examples.

It was an extremely interesting experience and shed a lot of light on what goes on in the nocturnal world most of these creatures inhabit.

Here are some clips of the 'wee beasties' we had the pleasure of getting to know more about.

Penicuik Estate, Midlothian

Walked the North Esk river from Penicuik up to Penicuik House today - lovely walk in perfect summer weather. Several Bird Cherry trees completely covered in webs of the Cherry Ermine Moth caterpillar and many stripped to the bone.

Blackcap and Chiffchaff still singing. Small flock of Greylag on pond below the derelict house, which is currently being restored.

Pyrenean Valerian present in several places by the riverside - seems to be getting more common by riverbanks in the Lothian area. Apparently southern Scotland is the UK stronghold of this introduced species.

Himalayan Balsam control, Water of Leith, Edinburgh

I spent a pleasant couple of hours this morning uprooting stems of this invasive alien plant, just downstream from Gorgie road. A small team of volunteers form the river conservation trust tackled the plant and pulled up several hundred stems, none of which had started flowering.

The riverbank is thick with vegetation at present - Butterbur, Garlic Mustard, Leopards Bane and great colourful swathes of Dame's Violet.

I found the tiny two spot ladybird (photo) clinging to a stem of garlic mustard in the undergrowth.

Woodmouse

Was out in the garden late this evening with dusk well on and saw what I thought was a robin flying onto a bird feeder hanging from an apple tree. Closer inspection showed it to be a Wood Mouse trying to extract a few of the remaining peanuts.

I was amazed at its agility as a climber - it did literally seem bird-like as it scampered from branch to branch and scaled the trunk like a tree creeper.

Quite a few large lemon yellow moths coming into the garden at dusk now - suspect these are Brimstones though not certain.

A few notes

Been quite busy lately so not been out much. Weather over past few days very summery - temps in high teens. Strange this year how early spring flowers are out alongside those of mid summer.

Green Woodpecker reported in Corstorphine hill - must be the only city location for this bird now.

Of the 3 pairs of swans on the union canal (Tollcross, Craiglockhart, Westerhailes areas), none now appear to have cygnets - no explanation of where they might have gone, though the Craiglockhart pair, as far as I know, didn't produce any.

Oddly enough the swans at Craiglockhart pond seem to be leaving the coot chicks undisturbed - was over there this morning and took a short video of the chicks being fed by a parent on the water.

Hedgehog evenings

The weather has got dramatically warmer over the past few days - temps in the high teens and quite mild evenings. In these conditions I sometimes see a hedgehog in my garden and I've even begun to wonder if it is living beneath my old greenhouse - something has been digging in underneath it anyway.

It's great to have a hedgehog visit - I believe they need a territory covering roughly 10 urban gardens so I'm lucky to see it when I do. It's especially good to know that hedgehogs have survived such a punishing winter.

I've been trying to naturalise the garden since moving here 2 years ago (an excuse for lazy gardening some would say), by for example leaving leaf litter and allowing a corner to grow wild. That should help create a habitat that encourages wildlife in general. I collected some wild flower seeds last autumn (Red Campion and Tufted Vetch) and left them in pots outdoors over the winter (the recommended way - they dessicate and die indoors). So far the Campion had sprung into leaf but is way behind its fellows in the countryside, which are in full flower now. No sign of the vetch at all yet, but plenty of time I hope.

Killer Swans at Craiglockhart Pond

The pair of swans at Craiglockhart pond have just hatched nine cygnets and are defending their territory ruthlessly. The male swan takes great exception to other birds (particularly mallards it seems), rearing young on his patch, and repeatedly chases and drowns every duckling he can catch. There were two left on Friday of last week, today none remain.

Natural History Society Outing, Roslin Glen

Roslin Glen
Cold again today - 7 degrees C max. The usual spring plants were around in Roslin Glen today but few have flowered yet. Unusual plant for me was Common Cow Wheat which I'd never seen before. Blackcaps were singing plus possibly a Garden Warbler.

Greater Stitchwort
Toothwort and Purple Toothwort were found along the riverbank.

Lammermuirs

Adder skin
A pleasantly warm if blustery day spent in the Lammermuir hills, E Lothian, with the local RSPB bird group. Among bird highlights were a flock of 40+ Golden Plover, mostly in summer plumage, 3 pairs of Ring Ouzel, several Wheatear, Dippers, Common Sandpiper and a single pair of Grey Wagtail. Willow Warblers and Sand Martins present in quite large numbers. Occasional Swallow and House Martin too. No sign of the White Tailed Eagle that has been reported here lately, though we spoke to a local keeper who had seen it more than once. One of our party found the pictured adder skin by a trackside, still showing the beautiful markings very clearly.

Botanical Gardens

Cuckoo flower seen in wild garden at the Botanics today - first I've seen this year. Female Blackbird and pair of Long Tailed Tits nest-building.

Earlier this morning a quick stroll in Craiglockhart dell revealed a few new flowers - nice patch of Goldilocks Buttercups, an occasional Ransoms finally blooming and Garlic Mustard beginning to show. Blackcap and Chiffchaff still singing.

River Tweed

A welcome change today in the cold weather pattern we've been locked in for the past week - warm sunshine, temp up to 17C. Walked the banks of the Tweed for a couple of miles from Innerleithen to Walkerburn. Pair of Common Sandpipers, not long back from west Africa, making nesting preparations along the bank side. Flock of 60+ Sand martins wheeling through the air and disappearing into riverbank nesting holes. Pair each of grey wagtails and goosanders seen.

Still very few flowering plants and no trout rising. Was due to go on a wild flowers walk in Craiglockhart dell today and a butterfly survey tomorrow but both put back a fortnight due to protracted cool weather.

Almondell

Ransoms/Sweet Cicely

A bright but cool day with a biting north east wind. Walked alongside river Almond in Almondell country park near East Calder south west of Edinburgh. First white butterfly spotted - a nervous Green Veined White that moved off before I could photograph. From the viaduct over the river a few swallows were moving - insects must still be in short supply though. Blackthorn blossom is very striking just now and has appeared quite suddenly, but much other vegetation seems in suspended development for mid-April.

First tadpoles

Wood Sorrel

Walked for an hour through the almost always deserted oak wood which skirts Dalmahoy hill, to the south west of Edinburgh. Fresh west wind, temp just into double figures. Skies unusually silent due to flight ban caused by Iceland volcano, but air perfectly clear. Saw first tadpoles of the year, in shallow pool fed by a trickle of spring water. Looked at least a week old and very lively. Also first Wood Sorrel - always a surprise to see how delicate they are. Pair of Mistle Thrushes in a tree top with male singing melodiously in short bursts.

Weather to turn cold again soon.

Corstorphine Hill

Cycled along Water of Leith walk way from Slateford Road to Murrayfield, then by the cycle path around Carricknowe golf course and up to Corsporphine Hill. Warm, bright day for mid April

Butterflies everywhere - at least ten Small Tortoiseshells along the riverside, then two Commas and a Peacock on the hill. Two further 7-Spot Ladybirds today - seems to be a good year for them so far.

Blackcap singing by the golf course and very noisy Jay on the hilltop.

Roslin Glen

Beautiful spring Sunday morning walk from Polton Mill to Roslin Castle. Heard Green Woodpecker 'yaffling', saw one jay and had an excellent view of a male sparrowhawk hunting among the trees by the riverside. Also heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming very loud and close, then had a brief view. Nuthatch heard but not seen. Four small tortoiseshell butterflies enjoying the sun.

Butterflies, Bees, Ladybirds

I've seen a few butterflies so far this spring - mostly of the Vanessid colourful red/orange group, and today had a very drab looking Peacock land in my garden for a short time. This species hibernates over the winter in crevices in trees, rocks or in garden sheds etc - seems hard to believe many have survived the 3 month freeze-up we've had since Christmas.

I've also seen a good number of bees in the garden, mostly buff-tailed bumble bees (bombus terrestis) I think, and by their size, quite a few queens looking for nest sites.

These two insects seem to be attracted by the Pieris Japonica and Camelia (picture) I have just outside my window, which burst into flower before anything else other than bulbs has really got going.

While cutting grass this morning I came across two 7-spot ladybirds, another insect that overwinters in a dormant state and emerges in early spring. I've just discovered the UK Ladybird Survey website which has some great information, and an online form to submit details of any ladybirds found in the UK so that threats to these delightful insects can be monitored.

Edinburgh Waterfront Storm

Walked along the waterfront from Silverknowes to Newhaven. Damage done to the seawall almost unreal and reminiscent of a futuristic disaster movie. Cause seems to have been the coincidence of very high tides and storm conditions at the end of last week. Not too much wildlife around - a few lesser black back gulls back from their short migration south plus the usual herring gulls and a small party of red breasted mergansers diving for fish quite close in.

Visited SWT reserve 'Pepper Wood' near Kirkliston on the way home and saw little greenery other than leaves of non-natives few-flowered leek and leopards bane carpeting the woodland floor. The former looking really entrenched and heavily matted. No native wild garlic (Ransoms)or wood anemone showing, which would normally be evident here by now.

Bawsinch Wildlife Reserve, Duddingston, Edinburgh

This SWT reserve fringes Duddingston Loch in the south east side of the city. It's a good area for water birds and there is a well known heronry on the south side(access to this area by permission only).

This week winter has returned, with temperatures in the low single figures and blizzards forecast for tomorrow. However, I managed to hear my first Chiffchaff, see my first batch of frogspawn and see White Butterbur in flower (last two pictured above). I also caught two herons in the act of a tree-top mating (a brief,noisy, and ill-tempered affair), and had view of a Kingfisher for a fleeting few seconds. Also present were several Teal, a few Goldeneye, and a Dabchick. So, worth the visit then, despite the cold.

Birds/more spraints - Riccarton campus walk

Walked round the grounds of the Riccarton campus of Heriot Watt University today - a lovely woodland walk where you rarely meet a soul. Big (50+) flock of Fieldfare seen foraging in pasture, and spotted the hooded crow (may be a hybrid) pictured with 2 carrion crows picking for food among a brassica crop. Found a couple of definite otter spraints in the Murray burn flowing through the grounds at Riccarton.

Otter Survey training day, The Hermitage, Edinburgh

I was lucky enough to be part of a group of around 15 attending this excellent training day organised by the Edinburgh Council Ranger Service on Sunday. The day involved a morning spent indoors getting some background info on otters and on the signs that show their presence, then a survey of roughly a 1km stretch of the local Braid burn in the afternoon. Otters are revealed mainly by their spraints (photo above). These droppings, used to mark territories, are usually black, tarry, full of fish bones and have a strong but not unpleasant smell. Other signs to look for are footprints - large, five toed and with claws, holts (large holes near water where otters lie up and rear young), and slides (in grass or mud, on steep banks and used to enter water).

Our afternoon survey produced no less than 30 spraints, most quite old (probably a week or more) but still very recognisable. I hope to do some regular surveying on Edinburgh watercourses now that I know what to look for, and would like to thank Ranger Stacey Schumacher and the volunteers for a really fascinating day.

Edinburgh Natural History Society Outing, Gartmorn Dam Sat 20th Mar

A beautifully warm, sunny day today, perfect for the Natural History Soc outing to Gartmorn Dam near Alloa. This large still water area had an interesting variety of birds, including Great Crested Grebe, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck and Dabchick. Courtship display was seen with many of these, most spectacularly in the Great Crested Grebes which seemed to be in the process of pairing off (probably at least a dozen were present). Though I didn't see them myself, a few Sandmartins were spotted.

The area surrounding the water is attractively wooded and has been additionally planted with mixed native tree species, including Hazel (catkins pictured), alder, ash and willow. Not much vegetation was showing though dogs mercury, a few coltsfoot, and the leaves of dock and celandine were beginning to make an appearance.

Very late spring

There are still no daffodils fully out in the garden, and celandines have only just begun to show this week. A blue tit was seen briefly inspecting the nest box under the eaves but has disappeared since. Last year its was early to mid April before they started taking up moss from the lawn to build there.

I have yet to see colts-foot, wood anemone or other early spring flowers, and while the daytime temperature (approx 7-10 degrees) is warmer now, there is a persistent cold wind that still makes it feel very chilly.

More snow

March has brought another heavy snowfall- up to 1 foot deep in the Pentland hills area, bringing small birds back to feeders in good numbers.

The Bavelaw Marsh reserve has an excellent hide with regularly stocked feeders, which is good for winter visiting Bramblings plus a variety of resident birds - Reed Bunting and Long-Tailed Tit seen briefly on video here with Bramblings at the start, feeding alongside chaffinch.

So many fresh water areas are still frozen, including most of Threipmuir reservoir, the Union Canal and many smaller ponds around the Edinburgh area.

Sheep,deer and rabbits have stripped bark from the base of many trees in and around local fields - must have been a hungry period for these animals.

Water of Leith

Walked the canal and river for an hour today. Weather bright but cold. Canal still frozen, with a pair of thin looking swans managing to forage in a patch of water under a bridge. Goat willow buds beginning to open showing brilliant white tips, and plenty of small birds in song, but few other signs of spring around.

There are some beautiful old poplars along the riverside here, downstream from Slateford to Gorgie road. The heavily fissured bark shows up really well when there is not much green vegetation around.


Poplar, Water of Leith

Pentland Hills Birds

A dry and quite bright day today. Headed for the foothills of the Pentlands just south of Edinburgh. Lots of work going on for the Water of Leith flood prevention scheme though some birds still on Threipmuir reservoir depite the noise. Harlaw res. mostly still frozen.

Saw several duck species - 10 widgeon, 4 or 5 goosanders, half a dozen goldeneye and the usual quota of mallard.

Swan rescue, Union Canal

Took a short walk along the Union Canal today - weather miserable with rain and mist all day.

Canal has refrozen in many places due to the return of cold weather lately. This young swan, just rescued from the waterside by an SSPCA officer was a victim of the long spell of icing up that has prevented water birds from reaching their food source of water plants. The swan - a female cygnet - was very thin and undernourished, and was being taken to an animal rescue centre for feeding up and recuperation.

Let's hope it returns to the canal side soon.

Glencorse Reservoir, Pentlands

Unexpected fresh snow cover today. Short walk into the Pentlands, Edinburgh's closest range of hills. Glencorse reservoir looking lovely with a flock of black headed gulls, half a dozen greylag and a cormorant present.

Meanwhile first snowdrops showing through in the garden.

Roslin Glen

Walked a stretch of the river North Esk in Roslin Glen today, an area of mixed woodland with a very natural feel. Clear and cold with rock hard ground underfoot. Pair of jays calling very loudly and close by for several minutes and had a good glimpse of one. Three gooseanders on the river above a weir. Blue and great tits calling frequently. Large party of long tailed tits feeding in a gorse thicket.

Only vegetation of note was large clumps of great woodrush leaves carpeting the ground thickly in places.

Bavelaw Wildlife Reserve, Edinburgh

First chance to visit Bavelaw, above Balerno in the south west of the city, since the recent thaw. Plenty of activity at the bird feeders in front of the hide - mainly finches and tits, including a single brambling I managed to get a brief glipmse of on the camcorder. Bird colouring looked fantastically vivid today. At least 50 teal on the water, quite noisy and agitated with what look like signs of early courtship display. Sadly no sign of the great spotted woodpecker which is seen regularly here.

Birds at Bavelaw, Edinburgh

Birds in song

Heard first dunnock singing early this morning in my front garden. Later this afternoon with darkness coming on, heard song thrush piping loudly in Regent Rd near Edinburgh city centre.

East Lothian Birds

Went on a trip along the E. Lothian coast today with the local RSPB group, visiting several hotspots from Prestongrange to Longniddry. Birds seen on sea included some very striking long tailed ducks, several slavonian grebes, and a good many velvet and common scoter. Waders included grey plover and bar tailed godwit. A short woodland trip around Prestongrange offered lesser redpoll, siskin, bullfinch and a variety of tits and thrushes. It was very heartening to see these small songbirds around in such healthy numbers after the past months harsh weather.

Water birds at Duddingston, Edinburgh

Went round to Duddingston, one of Edinburgh's prettiest villages today. The loch is mostly still frozen over but with a patch of open water big enough for a collection of coots, moorhens, mallards, tufted ducks, dabchick and goldeneye. Video'd a few of these and caught some of the goldeneye showing signs of their acrobatic 'head throwing' courtship display. Another sign of spring to come can be heard from a greenfinch beginning to sing off camera - a bit faltering but quite distinctive.

Goldeneye courtship display and dabchick, Duddinston loch

Birds at Cramond

Managed down to Cramond village on the city outskirts today after a general thaw set in. Tide pretty high and several wading birds viewable at quite close range, including single greenshank, small party of dunlin and a scattering of bar tailed godwits. One male red breasted merganser fishing the river Almond opposite the boat club. Further out on the mud saw a couple of lesser black back gulls amongst a throng of black headed gulls(one with more or less complete summer plummage of black/brown head).



Dunlin feeding at Cramond harbour

Canal freeze-up

The Union canal has been completely frozen for at least a week now. All the water birds - swans, ducks, moorhens and coots, have gone - where exactly I don't know. Some may have gone to the Water of Leith, though even it has started to freeze round the edges, others to larger expanses of freshwater (many of these are frozen too) or perhaps to the seashore. Small birds are so much more visible at present against the white backdrop. Wrens in particular I've seen so many of along the river and canal. No doubt this makes them more vulnerable to predators, in additon to the danger they face from the intense cold. Woke briefly in the middle of last night to hear snow granules blowing hard against the window, then the unexpected and eerie sound of a tawny owl calling through the snowstorm.

Walking on ice-covered Union Canal, Edinburgh

Roof-top heron

Had an early morning walk along the Union Canal and Water of Leith to greet the new year. Lovely crisp, clear day with fresh snow underfoot. Photo'd this heron perched on the roof of the local Booker Store above the river, having a break from fishing duties.

Also saw two female goosanders diving throughout a stretch of the water further down, which set me thinking about a chat I had with an ecologist from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency last year. He told me they'd surveyed a city stretch of the river recently and found literally hundreds of the non-native bullhead, against only a few brown trout. Bullheads seem to be generally bad news for at least some native species but no doubt they provide food for fish eating birds and mammals.