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.