Trip reports

NTS LEITH HALL

Sunday, 11 May 2008

After a week's heat wave, it was no surprise to find that Sunday opened grey and chilly - too much to hope that the good weather would have continued for our benefit. But nevertheless an intrepid band of hopeful birders foregathered in the car park at Leith Hall, happily exchanging greetings and updates of events while getting ready for the off.

As we waited for our leader for the day -Trevor Donaldson - to give the signal, we spotted Chaffinches, Great Tits, a Wren and Robins, and a sharp-eared member heard a Willow Warbler. Soon the rest of us picked up the falling cadence and followed that with Blackcap. Things were looking up by now as we set off towards the loch and were rewarded with Jackdaws and Carrion Crows in the field alongside.
At the bridge, [where there was otter spraint on the bank], the party split in two; the first half proceeded directly lochwards while the others took the rather more circuitous route round the back, before swapping over. In the open woodland we heard, then saw, a Dunnock skulking in the undergrowth and watched Swallows swooping low over the field.

A Heron squawked as it flew over, and there was some excitement as we noted Blackbirds mobbing an unseen quarry, probably an owl we thought. At last we ticked a Blue Tit and when we reached the loch our first sighting was Mallards, two and two. A pair of Mute Swans appeared round the little island and then we saw the Heron [presumably the one that had flown over our heads earlier]. A Moorhen appeared, swimming close to the island, peering into the grasses, and then a shout went up "Roe deer". A lone female looked out briefly to where we stood, only to vanish again in the undergrowth. At this point someone claimed to have heard a Cuckoo but this went uncorroborated till later in the day when confirmation allowed the tick.

As we retraced our steps towards the meeting place with the other half of our group, we saw a Hooded Crow, then concentrated our attention on the wild garlic, primroses and blue wild hyacinths around. A Pheasant's harsh scrape reminded us to return to birdwatching, and we chalked up
Song Thrush, Siskin and Blackbird before Long-tailed Tit, Oystercatchers and Coal Tits. Young ears heard the Goldcrests high in the trees, as a Buzzard mewed for all of us.

Back to the car park for lunch, where the temperature had risen a little, and the Hall's conveniences proved - well, convenient. Thereafter we climbed the hill to the lovely walk through the gorse and were well pleased to clock up the promised Yellowhammers. The light was brighter now, and one could almost believe that summer was indeed in the offing. When we returned to the car park the excursion was officially over, but a few, reluctant to end a splendid outing, spent some time in the garden arguing amiably about the various shrubs and flowers we were enjoying before at last calling it a day and heading for home.

After an unpromising start our outing had proved very rewarding. A vote of thanks to Trevor!
Edith Beveridge