An impromptu visit to the Reserve late afternoon today, following reports of several Snipe and Water Rails being seen at dusk earlier in the week. There were indeed 6, possibly 7, Snipe feeding in the weed close to the hide and bathing where the stream comes in. I also saw a couple of Water Rails near the reed bed. But before you all rush down there, cameras at the ready, let me say that light conditions were very poor by this time and my eyes were smarting with the effort to see them through binoculars. It was just very exciting though to know they are there on our Reserve and reports earlier in the week of a pair of Rails together sending off a third make me hopeful that perhaps we may have them breeding at Ballachurry in future. SC209694
Less good news is that we have people abusing the Reserve by smoking cannabis in the hide. This was confirmed by a Police visit, following the litter and the smell being reported to them recently. Regular Dog Unit Police patrols are now taking place. Unfortunately this is not the first time this has happened - the last offender caught spent time on remand at Jurby prison! Police dogs are, of course, excluded from the Reserve's No Dogs policy!
I remain hopeful of spotting a Water Rail in daylight and I certainly had excellent views of Snipe last Monday , as reported previously.
