I just went out for a walk at lunchtime and saw a Reed Bunting. Cool.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Wildlife highlight of the day
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Posted 9 years ago #
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It's now that time of year when you need to remember to keep your mouth shut when cycling. Unless you need the protein
Posted 9 years ago # -
Was this the recording scheme you mentioned the other day amir: Biological Records Centre? I downloaded the Mammal Society Tracker app and submitted a couple of sightings.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I don't think so, though my mum did used to do Bot Soc records. I was probably referring to http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/
Posted 9 years ago # -
And there's also http://www.scottishbadgers.org.uk/about-us.asp if you like badgers
Posted 9 years ago # -
thanks for link Amir. We saw a badger outside the bike shop in Peebles late on Tuesday night.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'm not local during the week at the mo....
All Photos-144 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
All Photos-143 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
All Photos-134 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Posted 9 years ago # -
A heron fishing from the towpath side of the canal this morning, which took exception to my approach, took off, and then flew a little ahead of me for a short while. It chose to fly over the canal bridge which I cycled under, before landing on the far bank in Hermiston House garden.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Counted 54 toads on the towpath between Harrison Park and Kingsknowe a few nights ago. Heron fishing on Water of Leith between Sainsbury and Asda. Also dead fox which had presumably died of death.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Saw a sheep out in the pentlands last Sunday that looked like it had very recently died of death.
Years ago on towpath in west lothian came across betweeded huntin n shootin types who were looking to shoot birdies to death but even if not banned doubt the fox hunters would follow a fox on to the canal?
Posted 9 years ago # -
Jay and hare (lying on a form?) on quick spin in Midlothian, a mallard on nest in tree in the Botanic Garden
Posted 9 years ago # -
Four Buzzards wheeling above the B&Q at Powderhall earlier on today. We then went batting this evening and although it is a bit chilly we found some Soprano Pipistrelles
Posted 9 years ago # -
Black Grouse on the road over to Innerliethen on Saturday in the snow. First I've seen.
Posted 9 years ago # -
A cormorant actually swimming in the WoL just upstream of the Sandport on Sunday afternoon. I usually only see them sitting on something stretching their wings.
Posted 9 years ago # -
There's a regular pair of teal in Lochend Loch. They're quite shy though and head for the centre whenever you approach them on the path.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'm stretching the thread to potential breaking point, but I did see Echinus esculentus spawning on Saturday.
I wasn't cycling at the time, but was breathing something collected by bicycle, much to the amusement of the dive shop...
Robert
Posted 9 years ago # -
What my ornithologically minded colleague informs me was a Ringed Ouzel on the Water Of Leith path upstream from the Dean Village this morning.
I thought someone had spilled paint on a Blackbird...
Posted 9 years ago # -
That's a seriously impressive spot (and something I've still to see). Have heard of them being seen very very occasionally on Arthur's Seat, but normally hole out in the hills (there are some in the Pentlands), completely eschewing the cities. Argh, if I was in Edinburgh just now I'd be camping out there!
Posted 9 years ago # -
Well, it may still turn out to have been a be-painted blackbird!
Posted 9 years ago # -
I've had a read up, and as March is noted as their migration month, and we're a bit further north than the usual RSPB estimates, I reckon it's probably en route somewhere uplandy. So my camping out wouldn't work as he's probably already moved on. Boo!
Red status bird, and something fab to see. You may be able to tell I'm more than a little jealous....
Posted 9 years ago # -
Feels a bit like a wasted opportunity now. I stopped the bike for all of ten seconds so I could have a closer look, and commit to memory the identifying features. Wish I had got the camera out at least!
Posted 9 years ago # -
Barn. Owl.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Ooh, where where?
I was watching some dolphins in the mouth of Aberdeen harbour this morning. Come 5pm tonight I'll be off on a little coastal meander to see the puffins again...
Posted 9 years ago # -
Hadn't considered a Dipper. IWRATS, it's a date (as soon as I can work out a date).
My last week of being near one of the few accessible mainland (small) puffin colonies, so took a ride yesterday...
All Photos-179 by blackpuddinonnabike, on Flickr
Posted 9 years ago # -
Dippers fairly easy to spot on WoL if you look long enough, and easy enough to confuse for a blackbird with a white scarf on.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Very hard working bird the dipper. Up and down about a mile long range in and out of the water. Smaller and more plump than a blackbird. I like 'em.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Female sparrowhawk sitting on the garden wall. You don't often see them sat still as they're very wary, but I'd expect to see one on the wing around town weekly.
But the males - only ever seen three in my whole life. They take murderous self-effacement to a whole new level.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@Wilmington's Cow
My favourite Ouzel site is, happily, on NR1, so will make a nice jaunt à vélo. (Italics to ensure that @gembo will come with us?)
If you're ever going north on the A9 in summer stop your car on the Slochd summit. There are a couple of pairs live on the scree slope behind the lay-by.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Happy to come ouzel spotting and espresso providing chez gembo
Posted 9 years ago #
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