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.