Ballachurry Reserve: Tuesday, 21st January, 2025.

a January morning at Ballachurry Reserve

   Entering the Reserve at 9.30 this morning, the first thing I noticed was the birdsong! I could hear a Song Thrush, Goldfinches, Blue Tits, and Chaffinches all at the same time which, despite the gloomy weather, made me think that spring was just round the corner. I even heard the distant drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, though from outside the Reserve, I think.   It didn't last. About an hour later I noticed how quiet the Reserve had become but it's lovely to hear the birds starting to sing again. Here is my report:

Birds:

SC210694 Blue Tit. Song Thrush, Goldfinches and Chaffinch heard but not seen.

SC 209693 male Blackbird flying low along wood chip path; Rook perched on broken branch;  Robin heard not seen; Jackdaws flying over; 2 x Blue Tit.

 SC209694 ( from hide) 3 x Blue Tit; 4 x Mallard ( 2 pairs) Moorhen; Blackbird; Grey Wagtail; Woodpigeon heard not seen.

SC209694  ( elsewhere) Great Tit; male & female Chaffinches seen separately ; 8 x Goldfinch flying over; 2 x House Sparrow; Robin; 4 Blackbirds flew across path in quick succession.

SC208694 Magpie flying over; Blue Tit; Robin; male Chaffinch & 2 females; 2 x Woodpigeon flying over; Wren heard not seen; Great Tit.

SC209695 Blackbird x 4 sitting in top of tree together.

SC208695 Blackbird; Song Thrush; Jackdaw x 8 sitting in trees.

(On or near feeders) 2 x Great Tit ( one ringed); 2 x Blue Tit; 5 x Goldfinch; 3 x Robin  ( 2 having fight while 3rd looked on) 

SC209694 ( adjacent field over gorse boundary) 6 female/ juvenile Blackbirds foraging on the ground.

Other:

Scarlet Elfcup  Sarcoscypha austriaca fungus NEW RECORD  (many thanks to Karen Griffiths for drawing it to my attention)

 SC208694 Lichen developing on bridge handrail.

SC209694  Some Hawthorns in full leaf already

Ringed Great Tit

Blue Tit jumping for joy!

it was ringed

as was this one foraging in the reeds

very acrobatic

two arrived together to work through the reeds

another Blue Tit across the pond

also a Blackbird across the pond

two pairs of Mallard on the water today

the Moorhen was feeding there the entire morning

close-up of the Moorhen

2 of 6 Blackbirds in the adjacent field

all females or juveniles

male Chaffinch

female Chaffinch

female House Sparrow

and her mate

Goldfinch approaching the feeders

a small flock was feasting on the sunflower seeds

 Goldfinches

Blue Tit

one of three Robins near the feeders

Scarlet Elfcup  Sarcoscypha austriaca spotted by Karen Griffiths recently

this Hawthorn is in full leaf already

usual view of the Boardwalk

usual view from the boardwalk

a good flow along the stream

the dam and the bridge across to the willows

lichen starting to form on the bridge handrail

a reminder of recent storms - more forecast this week-end

flattened reeds near the bridge

the dragonfly pond

I could spot no signs of life today

usual view of the bird hide

looking through the hide shutters

 I wasn't quick enough to photograph the Grey Wagtail on the mud

looking in the other direction

view from the ramp on arrival

view from the ramp just before leaving

the "beehive loop" with the bird feeder tree

looking back across the meadow

the meadow looking towards the boardwalk

back at the entrance, ready to go home

 

Today the Reserve seemed to have Blackbirds and Blue Tits wherever I strolled.

And finally............

déjà  vu?

 

This delivery can only mean one thing! Work Party imminent!

 

please click on photos to enlarge them

Ballachurry Reserve: Sunday morning, 12th January 2025.

view across reserve from boardwalk, early January.

   A cancelled flight from Scotland followed by a delayed flight 2 days later meant that I had to miss the work party at Ballachurry Reserve on Saturday. However, needing a break from post holiday chores and a breath of fresh air I went down on Sunday morning and immediately noticed that the overhanging ivy had been cut back from the pavement outside the reserve. That huge pile of wood chip just inside the gate had also gone, sure sign of hard work by the volunteers. Although the weather was grey and chilly I noted the following wildlife:

Birds:

SC209693 I put up a Snipe from beside the path; Robin; 2 x Chaffinch; 2 x Great Tit.

SC209694 I put up a Woodcock near the path junction; Moorhen and Wren seen from hide; Sparrowhawk flew across path; female Blackbird.

SC208694 Blackbird alarm call heard from willows; 2 x Great Tit;  2 x male Chaffinch, one singing; 2 x Blue Tit; Wren.

 SC208695 (on or near feeders)  7 x Goldfinch; 2 x Great Tit; 2 x Blue Tit; 2 x male Chaffinch and 1 female;  Dunnock.

Other: 

SC209694 Yellow Brain fungus on log pile.

SC208695 2 x Longtails beneath feeders.

SC208694 unidentified toadstool beneath willows; unidentified  fungus on fallen twig.

SC208694 first Hogweed flower of the year.

Blue Tit

hungry Chaffinches

Great Tit and Goldfinches

5 of 7 Goldfinches using the feeders

Great Tit

Longtail scavenging below feeders

there were two of them

all part of the food chain!

fungus on fallen twig

decomposing the dead wood

unidentified fungus below the willows

Yellow Brain fungus

early Hogweed in flower

usual view of hide

 Unfortunately not everyone appreciates or values the Reserve. The hide reeked of tobacco today.

ash tray corner

discarded orange peel near the dragonfly pond

usual view of boardwalk- no sunshine today

looking back along boardwalk

boardwalk from the opposite end

dragonfly pond

some wood chip has been added by the bench

meadow

near the entrance

view from ramp

reeds near the bridge

looking through the shutters

and in the opposite direction

brambles cut back

 In just one morning from this....

to this!

new chip along the gorse boundary

ivy cut back along the pavement

Three cheers for the hard working Volunteers!

please click on photos to enlarge them