Pair of deer near Dalkeith campus today & they didn't run away.
Lots seen yesterday on a lovely ride through East Lothian, including deer, woodpecker, mating toads, curlews, lapwings, sky larks, gannets, loads of blosson ....
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Wildlife highlight of the day
(7209 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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Any greater spotted carpicknicers?
Posted 14 years ago # -
Quite a few yesterday on the coast. But, shock horror, I saw a unbroken bottle on the Innocent path today.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I witnessed a frog apocalypse yesterday at the bridge near the B7007/B709 junction on NCN1 near Heriot (I'm guessing that's the Heriot Water there?). There must have 20-odd ex-frogs scattered on the road there, which detracted from an otherwise beautiful calm and quiet spot. Inspired by Anth's recent efforts, I assisted 10 or so amphibians across the road (including 3 amorous couples) before heading home.
Lots of oyster catchers and curlews on the wing as well.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I missed all the wildlife today. I was pottering in with all good intentions near Dalkeith campus, when someone on a very nice race bike shot past. I woke up and my competitive instincts took over. Since the wasp-themed gentleman only left my route at the Innocent tunnel, this meant me struggling to hear the wildlife over the wind noise (and panting). Still it proves I haven't lost the teenager yet at the age of 43.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Did you arrive at work hot(ter) and sweat(ier)y?
Was the youthful adrenaline rush worth the (lack of) nature input?
Would you like to do it every day?
Posted 14 years ago # -
In all honesty the competitive streak does take hold most times - but there is usually no one on my route until I get to the Innocent. I normally arrive pretty hot and sweaty anyway - thank goodness there's a shower at work.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Man on radio just said (paraphrase) 'more squashed hedgehogs on roads is a good thing as it means there are more about'...
Posted 14 years ago # -
Sky larks are so summery, even with a strong breeze and light drizzle. Made me feel much better.
Also saw a duck today - in the middle of the path. At least it was on the correct side, unlike one of my co-commuters who insisted on passing on my left (going the other way).
Finally, I have worked out that the white flowered plant that pops up at this time of year along the river path and along the Innocent near Arthurs Seat is not wild garlic but three-cornered leek. Why three-cornered? - cos its stem has a triangular cross-section. Strange but true.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Ah, that will explain why I think I can smell wild garlic but can't see it. :-)
Umm, I saw a snail.. Oh actually I saw a moorhen displaying with his little tail all fanned out. Very cute.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Three-cornered leek is listed but is noted as a problem mainly in England. In many ways few-flowered leek could be considered the northern equivalent. Certainly large areas of the Tweed and Esk valleys are dominated by this species."
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/174833/0049121.pdf
Also
http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/lady’s-smock-three-cornered-leek-salad
Posted 14 years ago # -
Thanks chdot. Looks like I was (slightly) wrong but it has an equally wonderful name, though "disappointingly few flowered leek" would be even better.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Snails ... dozens of snails on Monday and Tuesday near QM Uni - why did the snail cross the cycle path?
Posted 14 years ago # -
I saw a couple of swallows on Friday, does this mean summer has arrived....the saying being one swallow does not make a summer!
Posted 14 years ago # -
[quote why did the snail cross the cycle path? /quote]
Because they refuse to use the segregated snailways that are
paid for with MY TAXES.*spontaneously combusts*
Posted 14 years ago # -
Saw a bullfinch this morning. We get them in the garden so not really that exciting but it is still nice to see such a pretty bird unexpectedly. It looked like its preferred place of repose was about 10 feet in front of me as it kept landing, looking round then flying a bit further away. Unless it was trying to tell me its owner was trapped down a well or something..
Posted 14 years ago # -
"Unless it was trying to tell me its owner was trapped down a well or something.. "
:-)
Posted 14 years ago # -
Must be summer.
Just seen 4 swallows.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Deer (not dear) at end of my road this am. Green woodpecker seen to Dalkeith Campus last Wednesday. Lots of flies in eyes most of time.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Water Vole (or a manx rat, it was moving rather fast and admittedly out of the direction of DALTON FOR CRAP) ran out in front of me last night and was in inches of having it's neck broken, just past the bridge at Polwarth heading east along the towpath.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I've seen many (ie up to a dozen at a time) 'traditional' rats around there, and nary a water vole. Doesn't mean you didn't see one, but....
Did think I might have seen a vole at Craiglockhart once, but took a picture, enlarged and decided it was just a common old ratty.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I couldn't put any money on it either way as it was moving so fast. Little blighter obviously didn't hear me ding my bell as I came around the bridge chicane.
I used to see little grebe on that stretch all the time but haven't done for at least a few years (not that I go that way nearly so much). Anyone know if they still hang around there?
Posted 14 years ago # -
Lotsa moorhens, coots, swans and even the occasional duck, but have never seen a grebe along there. Would be a bit surprised to see diving birds along there though, as it is pretty shallow.
Posted 14 years ago # -
There was a pair that were regulars on the stretch between Polwarth and Harrison Park 4 summers ago.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Haven't seen any in the 2 years we've been there, but will keep my eyes open. There was a Merganser and we've seen cormorants too.
Posted 14 years ago # -
There's a Little Grebe in the Figgate Park, and one up at Duddingston Loch as well. Not much help I know...
Posted 14 years ago # -
Kaputnik-I am sure I have seen two water voles in pretty much the same spot. Just coming towards the lifty bridge. I certainly do see a lot of rats along (and in) the canal too though. Haven't seen a little grebe for a couple of years.
I just remembered about a weasel I saw on the Innocent a couple of weeks ago. It rushed across the path into the undergrowth then rushed back again. Unless that was a second weasel being flushed by the first.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Unless that was a second weasel being flushed by the first.
Or a pair of rats, in weasel costumes, trying to confuse you?
I saw a weasel on the Lammermuirs on Monday, along with the largest number of squished pheasants I've ever seen.
Posted 14 years ago # -
I wanna see a weasel on the Innocent! (and have my camera ready and get a good photo for EdinburghWildife - I don't ask for much)
Posted 14 years ago # -
I have seen Water Voles in the canal before, so there are some about, or at least there used to be and probably still are.
Posted 14 years ago #
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