Local Patch
There isn't much to report from an hour in the bird hide at my local patch today, so I thought I'd post some pictures of the walk I took to get there as it's quite pretty.
This area is behind our house but the lane to access it has been closed off for tree felling for several months now. Today called for a two mile drive to get there!
To get to the hide I walked through Dundock Wood. The azaleas and rhododendrons have started to bloom. The scent is pretty amazing at the moment, and sometimes overwhelming. I'm not a huge fan of rhododendrons but they do look good in the right place. They seem to attract various Warblers - particularly Goldcrests.
This area is behind our house but the lane to access it has been closed off for tree felling for several months now. Today called for a two mile drive to get there!
To get to the hide I walked through Dundock Wood. The azaleas and rhododendrons have started to bloom. The scent is pretty amazing at the moment, and sometimes overwhelming. I'm not a huge fan of rhododendrons but they do look good in the right place. They seem to attract various Warblers - particularly Goldcrests.
Species which can be seen here (but not today!): Redstart, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers - and Marsh Tit and Hawfinch.
In addition to the masses of rhododendrons and azaleas, Dundock wood is mostly planted with oak, ash and pine trees. I have seen grey squirrels here, and also roe deer.
The short path which leads to the bird hide overlooking the Hirsel Lake.
The lake is completely man-made and is the third largest inland lowland water body in the Borders. There wasn't much to report today; a pair of Mute Swans, Mallard (with lots of ducklings), Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Pochard and a single pair of Goosander. Right in front of the hide, just beyond the reed bed, a pair of Little Grebes were constantly calling to one another. I was hoping for a Water Rail, as they are resident here, but they were a no-show today.
Towards the Hirsel House.
posted by The Bird Woman at 7:49 PM
3 Comments:
Lovely woodscape, but I can't see many birds. Is that the haze of the lesser spotted bluebell I can spy?
Great scenic shots, i only wish we had some decent vistas in my area instead of retail parks, slag heaps and the like.
Can`t wait to hit Cornwall in a few weeks time, this holiday should provide me with wall to wall landscapes, just hope i`ve got enough memory cards.
The birds weren't playing ball today, and even if they were my 200mm lens plus 2x tele convertor isn't usually much use, unfortunately. There were no bluebells, the blue haze you can see is field forget-me-not. Equally pretty, I think :o)
Dean, memory cards! We're heading out to the Farne Islands next Friday, and I'm thinking the exact same thing! Only got three batteries, too! Hoping to get some close up Puffin shots. I think we're too early for nestlings, though.
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