http://urbantails.blog.com/2012/04/02/water-of-leith-revisited
Mentions birds.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Wildlife highlight of the day
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Posted 12 years ago #
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A while ago (~October last year), L and I saw a Mandarin duck at the North end of Loch Awe (it was following a pair of mallards). I didn't realise Mandarin ducks went this far out. Is this one just a random individual, or is their range expanding?
It wasn't on a cycling trip (and it wasn't today) so a bit off topic...!
Posted 12 years ago # -
A flock of around 25 waxwings flew overhead while walking the dog at Gorgie Dalry Park. They landed in the poplars by the Shell Garage rather than the usual ones by the subway.
Nipped home and got the camera and thankfully they were still around.
No the best photos but got a few on FB
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=186263364826967&l=ed0f6067ae
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=186260721493898&l=25a8eef733Second flock this week while taking the dog there. Only up for 5 minutes most of the time so they must be around a lot or I am just very lucky.
Posted 12 years ago # -
A shot video of them.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Posted 12 years ago # -
Rat (alive, for once) on the towpath today, in broad daylight. It was really surprisingly large, and definitely a rat.
"So what?" you say. Well it scampered across the towpath in front of me and then jumped into the water with a loud plop.
So the (relatively) interesting thing is that past discussions here about distinguishing rats from voles (particularly in the dark), have ended up saying "it jumped into the water so it must have been a vole". Not so, apparently.
I saw some rabbits at the Scott Russell Aqueduct too.
Therefore the wildlife highlights of my day were that I saw some rodents that most people would call vermin...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Female Snow Bunting on Arthur's Seat on Sunday. First time for me in Edinburgh.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Four roe deer. I was under the impression that the dog, when out for walks, was hunting or at least a puppy version of it. But we were within fifty metres of four deer and he didn't even notice. Come across a discarded pot-noodle and he'll go wild, usually getting his head stuck in it. So all that sniffing may not be in search of wild game just discarded junk food containers.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Greenroofer - yep. We saw a rat jump/fall into the water along the canal a few months ago. It didn't seem to mind the water too much. I visited Cotswold Birdland where I learnt Rats can tread water for up to two days (not sure how Birdland found this out...)
Yesterday we saw a song thrush by the bridge in stockbridge singing incredibly loudly (right by the road!).
Posted 12 years ago # -
Apparently a couple of Ring Ouzel seen below Salisbury Crags two days ago. I'll be diverting my commute by there tomorrow morning with the big lens I think. Never seen one and would really like to...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've a short video somewhere on my Flickr stream of me being mobbed by a ring ouzel descending Cairn Gorm
Posted 12 years ago # -
Mobbed by a Ring Ouzel? Awwwwww. :-) Did it win?
Posted 12 years ago # -
House Martin. I heard it and went running outside and sure enough. Is this early for them?
Posted 12 years ago # -
There have been a few, and Swallows, getting spotted around Edinburgh (yes, I do check the Lothian Bird News Yahoo group every day...)
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
David Miller (@BBCDavidMiller)4/24/12 8:20 AM
Cameras capture new wildcat sites
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-17820001
"
Posted 12 years ago # -
Cool!
Speaking of Swallows (above) the first of the summer have arrived at the Figgy. Half a dozen dotting about the pond yesterday evening.
This time last year there were ducklings and moorhen chicks on the pond as well - I presume it's too cold for them just now.
On Saturday at the Esk Mouth in Musselburgh I got my first Linnets (as well as Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and a Kestrel).
Posted 12 years ago # -
I thought I heard a Chiffchaff the other week and when I heard one in the same place I waited for it and there it was. Cute. Also saw a Buzzard chasing a Woodpigeon through the woods.
Posted 12 years ago # -
First Goslings of the year on Duddingston Lich as I rode past this morning... (apologies for quality of the photo, once again a photo of the screen on the back of the camera).
First Goslings of the Year by blackpuddinonnabike, on FlickrStill seeing foxes regularly at my local spot. Sunbathing generally. Really hoping in the next week or two to see some cubs...
Posted 12 years ago # -
@chdot... wild cats, saw what i thought was a dead one near perth , was a bit dubious, but it looked very like one, ive been into cats for ages, wildcat group got back and explained that it was prob too far south, but they would let me know. Heard nothing more so i suspect not !
Spending a lot of time on the canal, walking with mrs splitshift, shes doeing the moon walk,and needs some training ! A heron now seems in residence, union canal, near polmont .Only saw one, are they fairly solitary birds ?
ScottPosted 12 years ago # -
"are they fairly solitary birds"
Yep, and magnificent -
Posted 12 years ago # -
supose it must also mean that fish numbers in the cut are quite boyant(no pun intended ! )
Posted 12 years ago # -
March flies are out. In May!
Posted 12 years ago # -
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Skye and Frisa (@skyeandfrisa)
04/05/2012 16:47
Absolutely delighted to confirm twins for Iona and Fingal at Mull Eagle Watch - lots of feeds today by both mum and dad - visitors delighted
"
Posted 12 years ago # -
Do you mean that rather large black flies with hind legs hanging down...if so they are St Mark's flies and come out at around the St Mark's day which is 25th April.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Heard and then saw a woodpecker today on middle meadow walk :D Absolutely magical. First time I've seen a real one.
Posted 12 years ago # -
We had St Marks flies all over the garden last year. Saw some on Wednesday, much much later.
Zenfrozt, woodpeckers are fab. I've got pics of a Great Spotted pair from the local park here, love seeing them.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Anth, any luck on the osprey photo hunt?
Posted 12 years ago # -
"
Debbie Grant (@DebsFGrant)
05/05/2012 13:07
Fantastic day at Figgy Park and Porty beach. Goslings, Shoveler, Woodpecker, Swallows, Pied wags and a Common tern all photographed."
Posted 12 years ago # -
It may be a bit late, but if you want to see herons being non-solitary, head up to Heriot Water round about Easter/Paris-Roubaix weekend - there's a heron every 20 yards or so as they tuck into the toad spawnning frenzy.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Not quite wildlife, more livestock. Unusual to see alpacas though! Bathgate
AlpsAndes, on the Spokes ride return leg.
This was shortly before a huge downpour of rain, sleet and hail, where I came off my bike after front wheel went into a gully hidden by a huge amount of water. Just a wee graze to the leg and some bruises, luckily.
Also saw a fox crossing the Ferry Road path on the way back home.
Posted 12 years ago #
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