Ballachurry Reserve, 5th November, 2017.

Hogweed & a lowering sky

My challenge today was to walk round the Reserve before the next heavy shower arrived! The  sunny morning had given way to rain at lunch time and I had almost abandoned my plan to visit the reserve at all. Some blue sky appeared about half past two so I decided to chance it. I only got as far as the bird hide before a few drops began to fall but was delighted to see a Moorhen.  Moorhens have been more elusive than Water Rails this year, so this was a very welcome sight. There was also a female Mallard on the water. The rain didn't last long, but I was still glad of my waterproof over trousers and wellies! Here is the full report:

Birds:

SC209693 Water Rail heard but not seen; Magpie flying over.
SC209694  ( path junction) Song Thrush; Snipe.
SC209694 ( from Bird Hide) female Mallard; female Moorhen; Robin; Great Tit. Blackbird; Pheasant heard but not seen.
SC208694 ( near compost) Robin
SC208694 ( boardwalk) female/juvenile Blackbird
SC209695 male Blackbird
SC209694 ( gorse boundary) Song Thrush
SC209694  Robin sitting on back of Ginnie's bench
SC209692 ( where stream goes under road) Snipe.

after the rain

alder catkins and cones together

rose hips contrasting nicely with a late flowering Hogweed

female or possibly juvenile Blackbird

male Blackbird seen from the hide

Robin near the HIde

female Mallard in the Brooklime

she later took to the water

female moorhen

stormy light on the reeds

sun going down behind the boundary trees
as I left the Reserve, about 4 o'clock