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a February day at Ballachurry Reserve
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A sunny morning tempted me down to Ballachurry Reserve after an absence of 11 days. I was well wrapped up against the cold wind but there was ice on the puddles and the pond. I got called away after an hour / one circuit. Had I been seeing lots of wildlife this would have been disappointing but, despite the sunshine, there was hardly anything about so I wasn't too sorry to exchange a cold bird hide for somewhere warmer. Here is what I noted:
Birds:
SC210694 2 x Robins together; male Blackbird;
SC209694 2 x Goldcrests together; male Chaffinch.
SC208694 Blackbird heard not seen.
Other:
SC210694 garden escape Snowflake in bloom and Stinking Iris seed pods open. Ivy berries now ripe for the birds to take.
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SC210694 - Stinking Iris berries ready to drop
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these Ivy berries will be appreciated by the birds over the next few weeks
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garden escape Snowflake in flower
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Glad to see no water rushing along the ditch this time
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ice on the pond
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another icy shot
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Small children don't often forget their scooters
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signs of spring round the corner - daffs in bud
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gorse gives a bright splash
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Hawthorn in leaf in a sheltered spot
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Ah! a bird photo at last - male Chaffinch
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winter sunshine
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winter colours
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a clue to the task at our next work party!
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There was no one else at the reserve today although the coke bottle and discarded teabags in front of the hide told a different story. I also had to sweep up a number of home rolled fag ends inside the hide. It's hard to imagine a young child forgetting their scooter on leaving the Reserve, so I wondered if the one left by the hide had in fact been "joy ridden" and abandoned by someone much older. Hopefully the rightful owner will get it back again soon. I'll mention it to the Police Dog Handler who patrols the reserve.
The wood chip is ready to be spread along the muddiest sections of path as soon as ground conditions permit. Southern Group Committee would like to thank Chris Preston of Roots to Shoots for supplying this once more to help us out. Much appreciated!
