Ballachurry Reserve, 16th November 2017.

A lovely afternoon at the Reserve.
But where is the wildlife? 

All week long my sights had been set on Thursday afternoon for my next recording visit to the Reserve as the weather promised to be bright and sunny, as indeed it was. It was also very cold with a strong wind and most of the wildlife was clearly hunkered down in the vegetation keeping warm. There were times when I felt like joining them! I did record a few birds but sadly did not take any successful photos - they were either obscured by branches or against the light.

Birds: 

SC208694 male & female Chaffinch together; male Pheasant; Robin; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Blackbird.
2 x Long Tailed Tit flying over; Song Thrush.
SC209694  2 x Great Tit together; Dunnock; 2 x Grey Heron flying over; 50+ Starling flying over. Song Thrush. Juvenile Moorhen seen from Hide.
SC209695 Blue Tit
SC210694 Dunnock

Steve, another birder visiting the Reserve that afternoon, also saw Fieldfares passing over.

Other:

There was still plenty of fungi coming up on a pile of compost under the willows.

Unidentified fungi

Juvenile Moorhen seems to have claimed
this pond as its very own  territory

Bird Hide basking in the sunshine
( and whipped by the chilly wind!)

As I left the Reserve I was treated to an excellent view of a Ringtail Hen Harrier hunting low over the Ballakilley land opposite. It headed off towards Moorhouse Farm. A Snipe also flew over the road and away over the houses.