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| a frosty scene at Ballachurry Reserve |
It was a cold and frosty morning on Wednesday when I arrived at the Reserve. There were several small birds flitting about though, and a Blackbird flew past me as I entered the gate. I headed first for the hide but there was nothing on the water at that time and only later did the Moorhen appear. It actually felt colder inside the hide than outside so I didn't linger and started my usual walk round in the winter sunshine. Here is my report:
Birds:
SC210694 Blackbird.
SC209693 Robin x 2 ( one each side of the path); Wren; Water Rail heard from reeds but not seen (at same time as another from SC209694); Sparrowhawk; female Chaffinch.
SC209694 ( from hide) Blackbird; Moorhen; Water Rail Heard; Blue Tit; Dunnock.
SC209694 female Blackbird; Raven flying over croaking; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Long-tailed Tit x 3; Robin; Sparrowhawk; Chaffinch x 2; Jackdaw; Pied Wagtail.
SC208694 Wren x 2; female/juvenile Blackbird; Buzzard seen twice, mobbed by corvids both times; male Chaffinch; Goldcrest; Goldfinch x 2; Blue Tit.
SC208695 Robin; female/juvenile Blackbird; Redwing flying over; male and female Chaffinch.
SC209695 Long Tailed Tit x 2; Goldcrest; Blue Tit x 2; Great Tit.
Other:
SC209695 Pipe Club Fungus growing on fallen twig.
SC209694 Candlesnuff Fungus growing on fallen twigs.
SC209694 Stinking Iris hanging on to its berries
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| composite picture of Sparrowhawk |
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| female or juvenile Blackbird |
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| Buzzard, it was soon intercepted by corvids |
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| male Chaffinch |
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| female Chaffinch |
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| Goldfinch |
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| Great Tit |
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| rather blurry photo of Long Tailed Tit |
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| Moorhen |
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| admiring own reflection? |
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| no, looking for food beneath the surface |
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| Pheasant next door |
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| one of several Robins on the Reserve |
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| this one was paddling in the icy water, searching for food |
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| Jackdaw at Old School House next door |
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| and a Pied Wagtail also on the roof |
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| Candlesnuff Fungus |
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| growing on twigs in the leaf litter |
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| also growing on twigs....... |
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| this is Pipe Club fungus |
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| Stinking Iris berries still not dropping |
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| this is "the old beehive loop" |
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| a sunny day but frosty in the shade |
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| usual view from the boardwalk |
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| frost on the boardwalk doesn't show up in the photo! |
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| the dragonfly pond, surprisingly no ice |
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| but winter reflections |
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| frosted leaves |
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| brambles |
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| nettles |
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| but the gorse flowers on |
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| stream flowing well into the pond |
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| the meadow |
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| Water Rail heard calling from this direction |
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| and another from the reeds |
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| usual view of the hide |
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| winter colours |
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| and a final view of the reserve as I left |
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| Coat of Arms of the Ballachurry Bashers Volunteers! |
