Today had to return some bat detectors to our friends at Threave after our Wood of Cree Bat Walk which went very well actually saw my first Daubenton catch some insect of the surface of the water. Anyway as I pulled up I noted the hirundines massing, they were mainly Sand Martins with a few swallows. A spectacle at any time but against a rare almost blue sky it struck me how much like a piece of sheet music they looked and wondered if they could be turned into crotchets and quavers and notes and make a ballad or song of the terrible summer we have had in D&G.
If you see a picture of autumn please do post it.
Paul
On the 28th August we have a joint event with Council Ranger Elizabeth Tindall a 'Mud walk' out on the estuary. Elizabeth has you might expect is very knowledgeable about the mud's of the LNR and has lots of interesting facts and information about the wildlife that inhabit this seemingly desolate part of the bay. Wellies are needed and over trousers if you have them.
And on the 30th August we have a bat walk and moths at the Wood of Cree 8 till 10 Come along for an evening walk and go batty for a couple of hours. Learn all about our night time flying mammals in Scotlands most southerly Ancient Oak Woodland. (Please bring a bat box if you have one. Meet at Woodland Trails Carpark)
Both events need booking ring 01988 402130 for booking and further information
Been out cutting the rush in field 2 today it is a slow job doing a double pass but once done it is looking well for the next three weeks till the rush grows again. we till treat the regrowth in october if the weather allows reduce the rush.
a lot of meadow pipits feeding on the fly attracted by the cattle that are aftermath grazing. Two buzzards following today they have not learnt that I am not cutting so low as the silage cutters so no carrion but did spy one with a frog or toad today.
Not a vast number of birds but a few of note 2 blacktailed godwits a ruff and half a dozen ring plovers on the first salt marsh scrap as you go north well after high tide.
Today Alexa and I have spent a very wet and windy day at the Wigtown Agricultural Show,
Love Nature is our motto and we got close to raw nature today
We were in two minds about doing the show considering the very poor forecast for the Tuesday night and Wednesday. Having looked at our site with the Trade Steward on Tuesday night and the Organisers allowing us to move to a cancellation site in a more sheltered position, we turned up this morning to a sea of mud and vehicles being towed in left, right and centre. After what seemed a long wait we were allowed to get to our site and set up. Setting up went well and we opened on time and were surprised by the number of visitors that had managed to attend, Both Alexa and I had plenty of people to talk to with only a few quiet moments. Lots of the Society's Members popped in for a chat and we did well with the Raffle we are running at the moment for funds at the Crook.
My main reason for writing this Post is to thank the Agricultural Society Show organisers for their help in making it possible to attend the show which with our original site would not have been possible due to the exposed position and weather conditions and to thank the great British public who show true grit in attending and enjoying events in this wash out summer.
It may be of interest to note the area had 19mm of rain between 4pm Tuesday and 4.30pm Wednesday.