http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Forum: Leisure - Recent Posts en Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:18:55 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385936 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:04:21 +0000 wingpig 385936@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Either an heron being mobbed by two crows and a seagull or an heron and a seagull being mobbed by two crows, all flying very low over Craigentinny Avenue. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385836 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:48:25 +0000 jdanielp 385836@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Wester Hailes Cygnets are starting to attempt short test flights. On Thursday morning last week I, and some pedestrians, witnessed one of their efforts between the lagoon and the totem pole. One of the pedestrians had a dog on a short lead, which, as the swans started to take flight, bolted away from the canal across the towpath and proceeded to swing up in an arc dictated by the length of the lead, before swinging back down onto the ground and immediately chilling back out again. Had I been slightly further ahead this may well have been even more dramatic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385739 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:29:43 +0000 chdot 385739@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2026/sep/04/week-in-wildlife-a-hitchhiking-crab-a-shy-wallaby-and-penguins-in-little-jackets" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2026/sep/04/week-in-wildlife-a-hitchhiking-crab-a-shy-wallaby-and-penguins-in-little-jackets</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385582 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 20:06:36 +0000 jdanielp 385582@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think I saw a weasel bouncing across the canal towpath and the bridge access ramp at Hermiston House Road Bridge this morning. It was quite long and too small to be a stoat/no black tail tip. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385565 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:02:42 +0000 chdot 385565@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/24/wild-beaver-kit-pair-born-norfolk" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/24/wild-beaver-kit-pair-born-norfolk</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385443 Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:00:14 +0000 wingpig 385443@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A weasel, flowing across the Roseburn on the slope up from the Balbirnie access point. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385439 Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:04:11 +0000 Frenchy 385439@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A week or two ago I spotted a pine marten, in my parents' front garden in north Aberdeenshire. It was much bigger than I thought pine martens are, and not particularly shy; they've seen it quite a lot recently, apparently. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385436 Sat, 15 Aug 2026 16:02:07 +0000 ejstubbs 385436@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hiking up Allermuir in pretty sweltering 25°C+ conditions on Wednesday evening in order to have a shuftie at the eclipse* from a decent vantage point, I couldn't help noticing that the north Pentland ridge seemed to be much more purple then I remember seeing it previously. Maybe something to do with the *cough* extreme *cough* weather this summer making the heather all excited?</p> <p>Oh, and if vegetation doesn't count as a wildlife highlight, there was also a very bonnie kestrel - I'd guess female since it was quite a big 'un - hunting all around the hill. I'd never consciously noticed before the way they can glide downwind and then do a a sharp 180° turn back in to the wind to attach to their invisible skyhook. Neat trick. Eat your heart out, Red Arrows.</p> <p>As a closing highlight, there were lots of swallows still whizzing in and out of the Swanston Farm horse accommodation as we passed it on our way home.</p> <p><em>* We did get to see some of it, though the 90 percentality which was the most we were ever going to get was largely obscured clouds. On the plus side, the clouds were quite pretty anyway, with the sun behind them.</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385433 Sat, 15 Aug 2026 10:38:21 +0000 jdanielp 385433@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Badger by St. Mark's Park as I was heading back into town from Leith last night. It took a while for it to notice that I was watching, had a good look at me, then ran off. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385426 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:43:25 +0000 gembo 385426@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Rat is risen. Praise be. You can still run over them but agree you are a bike further away from them than a pedestrqin. I was within a foot of one on Jacob’s Ladder the other spray but it Climbed up some ivy. The local vicar in Balerno once had a badger hitch a lift on his bicycle up Harlaw road one evening. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385423 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 20:53:15 +0000 jdanielp 385423@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Kingsknowe Rat was alive and well at Wester Hailes yesterday, scampering across the canal towpath between the water and the bushes as I approached it, startling a texting pedestrian in the process. It occurs to me that being on a bike reduces the risk of contact with a rat. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385376 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:05:46 +0000 gembo 385376@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The twitchers have ended themselves about a red footed falcon showing off at Aberlady </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385375 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 08:17:13 +0000 Frenchy 385375@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A kingfisher on Duddingston golf course this morning. Sat on the edge of one of the wee bridges over the burn, contemplating. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385304 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:49:02 +0000 Rosie 385304@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Kestrel sitting on the garden shed, eyeing the mice that run to and fro after the spilled bird food. They were too canny for him/her so after trying the ground, the wheelie bin (the toilet, evidently), the windowsill, the roof, s/he then flew off. Lovely close view of him/her. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385158 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:42:13 +0000 chdot 385158@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/24/rare-night-heron-somerset-holnicote-river-reset" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/24/rare-night-heron-somerset-holnicote-river-reset</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385112 Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:34:50 +0000 jdanielp 385112@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>SQUEAK? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385107 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:17:07 +0000 MediumDave 385107@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Or it is the Death of Rats waiting for an instance of the Kingsknowe Rat to have another "mishap". Possibly at jdanielp's hands. Or wheels</p> <p>SNK SNK SNK </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385105 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:19:43 +0000 gembo 385105@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@jdanielp I think it is trying to get you to adopt it? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385103 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:34:33 +0000 jdanielp 385103@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Spotted the rat on my way home today. It was mooching around and scuttled into the undergrowth as I passed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385085 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:51:20 +0000 jdanielp 385085@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Three days in a row now, but the rat was more cautious today after the close call yesterday. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385075 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:12:56 +0000 jdanielp 385075@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And again this morning, although it waited slightly later before running out in front of me today. If it continues with this pattern it will be flat by the end of the week. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385071 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:30:51 +0000 jdanielp 385071@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This morning the Kingsknowe Rat crossed the towpath in front of me at Kingsknowe. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=246#post-385070 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:29:58 +0000 jdanielp 385070@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was buzzed by a kingfisher as I cycled into town from Heriot-Watt early this evening by the playing fields at Wester Hailes. I initially spotted it take flight from undergrowth overhanging the far side of the canal and then appear to fly surprisingly high up and away from the canal, only for it to reappear moments later from above to my rear left, effortlessly overtake me, dip down over the surface of the canal before flying up high again, then disappear behind the trees. It is not impossible that 'it' was actually two kingfishers having a territorial stand-off... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21974#post-384920 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:52:16 +0000 bill 384920@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo gravel bike yes. My regular commuting bike is currently out of service and the Audax bike is a bit too ... audaxy for rides like this. Plus the road surfaces on the list lanes are variable so the gravel bike is a good choice :) </p> <p>I got three croissant parties (with falafel inside) for the price of one in Kelso because the bakery was closing for Sunday and that was all they had left. And the gelato in Kelso was very tasty (grapefruit+ basil and espresso flavours). And I got a large cup of tea from Gregg's. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21974#post-384912 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:58:01 +0000 gembo 384912@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Gravel bike I assume. Well I know as I saw your film. Quite a lot of interesting sandwiches and enormous ice cream too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21974#post-384908 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:00:00 +0000 bill 384908@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Got a train to Tweedbank to ride route #27 from the new book by Jack Thurston Lost Lanes Scotland.<br /> It's a 77k route through Melrose, Scott's view, Smailholm tower, Floors castle in Kelso, Ancurm and back to Tweedbank. The lanes were absolutely lovely and I never knew those things were there. </p> <p>6 bikes on the train back in a single bike carriage. It wasn't busy so we were allowed but the conductor wasn't too happy. </p> <p>You can get a copy of the book here:<br /> <a href="https://lostlanes.co.uk/product/lost-lanes-scotland/">Buy online</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=245#post-384608 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:54:16 +0000 ejstubbs 384608@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Went for a stroll yesterday through Green Cleuch to see if the sand martins have come back to nest there again this year. Pleased to say that they have, and they seem to be making a decent job of it. At one point we seemed to be surrounded by a veritable cloud of them, which was really rather nice.</p> <p>Also spotted two wrens in the vicinity, looking like either a pair preparing to breed, or an adult and youngster (one bird did appear to be feeding the other, but that might have been a pair bonding thing - if wrens do that sort of thing. I may have to look that up.) Also two cuckoos heard cuckooing but not seen.</p> <p>Heard something that sounded very like a snipe drumming as we made our way back to Bavelaw, but didn't actually see anything snipe-like. Then again, I'm not aware of anything that is known to make a noise very like a drumming snipe without actually being one (not counting recordings of drumming snipe). Not confident enough to add it to the day's list, though.</p> <p>Swallows were skimming within mm of the tips of the sheep-browsed grass as we approached Bavelaw Castle. And there was an adult mute swan with six ridiculously cute, recently-fledged-looking cygnets in tow on Bavelaw "Marsh" (the bit of Threipmuir to the west of Redford Bridge).</p> <p>As we wended our way along the woodland path back to the car park, we had the pleasure of a prolonged sighting of two treecreepers (again, one seemed to be feeding the other) then to top it all off, more cuckoo calling - frustratingly close by but no clear sighting amongst the tree foliage.</p> <p>All in all, a grand day out. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=245#post-384539 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:54:35 +0000 Frenchy 384539@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A dozen or so swifts having a full on screaming fest on Portobello High Street. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=245#post-384413 Sat, 23 May 2026 10:08:29 +0000 Frenchy 384413@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A swift over Meadowfield Park. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=643&page=245#post-384325 Sun, 17 May 2026 20:27:26 +0000 Frenchy 384325@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A pair of parakeets in Duddingston this morning. First time I've been completely sure there's more than one. </p>