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a blue-sky, winter's day at Ballachurry Reserve
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It was a blue-sky day with a strong, icy wind on Tuesday. I walked round the Reserve for half an hour without seeing or hearing a single bird! I suspect they were all keeping warm deep in the vegetation or were away on garden bird feeders for an easy meal. The temperature rose slightly towards midday giving only a slight improvement in bird numbers. Nevertheless I enjoyed my morning. Here is my report:Birds:
SC208694 Robin heard not seen; Blackbird glimpsed; 20 x Woodpigeon flying over, possibly spooked by 2 Buzzards; Sparrowhawk; Goldfinch.
SC208695 Chaffinch heard not seen; Dunnock.
SC209694 ( hide) 2 pairs of Mallard bathing and preening; Moorhen; Wren heard but not seen; Magpie in churchyard trees; Water Rail heard not seen; 3 x Blue Tit; Female or juvenile Blackbird flying through;
SC209694 ( elsewhere) 2 x Blackbirds together; 2 x Rooks & 2 x Jackdaws in Old School House trees.
Other:
SC209694 Gnat species
SC208695 King Alfred Cakes fungi (Daldinia concentrica) on dead ash tree NEW RECORD (found once before but was detached and floating down stream after a storm)
SC208694 Several Woodlice hibernating under rotting wood.
SC209693 Hazels have small catkins.
SC209694 Alders have small catkins.
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Blue Tit
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| Goldfinch |
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Moorhen and Malllards
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| Moorhen |
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Mallard Drake
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The Mallards were bathing ..............
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then preening
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then it was time to snooze
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Hibernating Woodlice didn't wake up when photographed
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some species of Gnat
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King Arthur's Cakes fungus
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they do indeed look like burnt cakes!
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Hazel Catkins, still very small
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sunshine and shadow
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2023 will be remembered for completion of the Board Walk
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the gorse bush flowers on valiantly!
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no pond life visible today
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looking along the boundary path
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usual view of the hide
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just Alders and blue sky
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usual view of the meadow which has been too wet to cut
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usual view from the ramp
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reed bed from hide
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And finally.......
Wishing you all a very happy festive season.
please click on photos to enlarge them
