Up the Hill (1 Viewer)

[delia todd]

Gosh it was windy today - I could hardly stand up! But bright and sunny whilst I was up there.

It's Heron season I think - there were 3 on the loch. I presume they're feeding on the frog/toad spawn - there's loads of it.

No Oycs today and only faintly heard a distant Curlew. Five Common Gulls, two seen mating, and two sleepy lack-headed Gulls. The Dabchicks were busy feeding, no sign of the Moorhens yet - strange thought they would have arrived by now.

The Pied Wagtail has been joined by a mate and there were at least 10 Meadow Pipits in.

The first picture shows where the gorse used to be - now been ploughed up. All that's left now is a thin strip lining the other side of the road. A shame for the small birds like Linnets and Reed Buntings which used to breed in this area. Other than that, there's just the odd bush here and there.

T'other picture is one of the Mipits, in case you can't see it

D

 

[delia todd]

Bit warm this weekend, isn't itB

I didn't have the excitements the Kinnordy lot got, but things are returning to the hill now.

First heard a single Willow Warbler, but couldn't find it. There used to be around 6 territories along the gorse-lined road - we'll have to see what happens now.

A Buzzard was patrolling and being chased around by assorted corvids. Later it joined up with another and did a bit of a display for me. At least seven Curlews were around. Meadow Pipits are now singing merrily, only heard one Skylark (briefly), even though I walked up onto the moor to where they usually nest in the long grass. A lovely pair of Wheatears were up there.

Four Oystercatchers now, rooting around about the loch, accompanied by a singleton Starling!

The two Dabchicks were busy feeding and calling, so I presume she's not on eggs as yet. Still no sign of Moorhens though.

D

 

[delia todd]

Recently I met the farmer's wife for this old patch of mine and she said that the Hen Harriers had returned (they disappeared after the windfarm was constructed on 'their' hill!)

So I spent a little while up there the other day. Very disappointing.... hardly a bird was seen or even heard.

The sum total was 1 Meadow Pipit and a couple of Barn Swallows.

No sign of Little Grebe or Moorhen on the lochan. No Skylarks, not a Curlew calling nor any Oystercatchers around and not even any gulls.

 

[burnie]

I'm hearing the waders on the coast Delia, I reckon breeding is over and birds are moving down to cooler places, thing is I hope they are not moving towards the bird flu that seems to be more coastal at the moment.

 

[delia todd]

It really should only be the failed breeders that go early to the coast. Those that have successfully bred should still be up here until their young are ready to make the journey.

I've never been up there with so little to see/hear, except in the depths of winter.

 

[burnie]

I'd agree, but recently we've been to Glens Doll, Clova, Prosen and Esk and they are all silent too, most odd.

 

[delia todd]

It's very sad, isn't it.

Another thing; around this time a telegraph wire up there was covered with a long line of fledged Swallows waiting to be fed. Yesterday there were two!!