Saturday, August 13, 2016
An afternoon walk around a busy Balloch produced the highlight of the weekend in the form of seven Mandarin Ducks hiding under overhanging Rhodedenrons near the slipway. It always amazes me how secretive the species can be, a conclusion I have reached after challenging searches in places such as Barden Bridge, The Strid, Kirkby Lonsdale, Loch Eck, Strathnairn, the Eye Water and Balloch itself. Birds can be very confiding for spells (the Balloch birds come to be fed with the local Mallards) but then disappear into deep cover for long periods.
Another good sighting was a Sparrowhawk being mobbed by a Swallow as it circled low over the beach area at Lomond Shores (the families below being oblivious to the action taking place just above their heads). Also present were House Martin, Bullfinch and Willow Warbler.
Interesting plant life consisted of naturalised garden plants such as Skunk Cabbacge, Montbretia and Monkey Flower.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home