Haven't been out much recently, due to family commitments, but made the effort to get out and about this weekend just past. Starting on Friday evening, made it to CAthkin Marsh SWT reserve for about 8pm. The light was beginning to fail, despite being the longest day, but the twilight actually brought out the best n the reserve. In a place that well known for its solitude (well known solitude. Hmmm) the evening brought an almost tranquil atmosphere. As I walked around, I realised what it is that makes the place special. Mostly, you can have quiet solitude broken up by the noise or actions of birds. At CAthkin Marsh, however, the noise of the birds feels as thought its being intruded upon by the quiet stillness. It all adds to the specialness of the place. As for the birds, no lifers, no year ticks (a possible linnet, but not sure enough to tick) but did get reed buntings, water rail, mallard, coot, sedge warblers, crows, skylark and meadow pipit. Nothing too extraordinary, but still, it had a certain quality to it.
Fast forward to Sunday, leaving aside a long lie on saturday and an almost bird-less trip to the Trossachs for a family day. I decided, in this year of new experiences, to try a new reserve, with the idea of connecting with a spotted flycatcher. Using the sat nav thingy on my new car, I actually managed to find the Upper Nethan Gorge SWT reserve. Having awoken early, I was on site for 7am (6am GMT) and began exploring. No map with me, no route memorised, it was pure virgin territory for me. No SpotFlys that I could see, but I was taken aback by the olume of warblers, often showing very well and confidingly. Wrens abounded, blackbirds and tits scattered as I waled along the trail. 6 collard doves flew up at the entrance. Again, no lifers, no year ticks, but a very impressive new site to return to, a stunning wall of warbler noise, and a sense of achievement that I managed to get out of my bed in time!!
As an added bonus, I drove from deepest Lanarkshrie to Hogganfield Loch in Glasgow to exercise the photography itch that had been building for a couple of weeks- nothing new, but again, I simply had fun. (I posted a couple of pictures on the gallery)
Surely, without fun, whats the point?
Fast forward to Sunday, leaving aside a long lie on saturday and an almost bird-less trip to the Trossachs for a family day. I decided, in this year of new experiences, to try a new reserve, with the idea of connecting with a spotted flycatcher. Using the sat nav thingy on my new car, I actually managed to find the Upper Nethan Gorge SWT reserve. Having awoken early, I was on site for 7am (6am GMT) and began exploring. No map with me, no route memorised, it was pure virgin territory for me. No SpotFlys that I could see, but I was taken aback by the olume of warblers, often showing very well and confidingly. Wrens abounded, blackbirds and tits scattered as I waled along the trail. 6 collard doves flew up at the entrance. Again, no lifers, no year ticks, but a very impressive new site to return to, a stunning wall of warbler noise, and a sense of achievement that I managed to get out of my bed in time!!
As an added bonus, I drove from deepest Lanarkshrie to Hogganfield Loch in Glasgow to exercise the photography itch that had been building for a couple of weeks- nothing new, but again, I simply had fun. (I posted a couple of pictures on the gallery)
Surely, without fun, whats the point?
