March Blog

I started last month admiring the Goldfinches on the tree in the garden, I’ve decided to call it The Finch Tree because I’ve seen all different types of finches there. I’ve seen Greenfinch, Goldfinch & Chaffinch, sadly no Bullfinch has appeared but I have seen a Siskin there which has been good to see.

After what feels like weeks of rain we finally had a nice dry day so I decided to have a return visit to Aberlady Nature Reserve. I fell in love with the place when I first went last year so a return trip was always on the cards. On arrival on the bridge I was greeted with lots of Waders including Redshank, Lapwing, Teal, Black Headed Gull & Graylag Geese. After that I carried on my walk stopping at Marl Loch, there was a Moorhen & Mallard swimming. I then continued my walk to Aberlady Bay and made my way back but saw on my walk Woodpigeon, Magpie, Crow, & Pheasant. I didn’t stop off at Waterston House because it was closed but it was a good day out.

February is a special month for me because it’s the month when I started my Birding adventure. This year marks 24 years of Birding for me and every anniversary I go to the place where it started for me The Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Birdlife in the ponds have changed over the years especially at the Chinese pond which was my favourite spot when I started, it used to be full of birds sadly not now but I did see a Mallard there & a Moorhen. On the other ponds I saw Woodpigeon, Gooseander (which I don’t think I’ve seen at the Botanics before), another Moorhen & Mallards. Other birds I saw were Herring Gull, Greenfinch & Nuthatch. It was a good day when I came home I just thought of all the memories I’ve had over the years. Next year it’s going to be the big one 25 years which I’ll be celebrating not just on the 16th February (which is my anniversary) but throughout the year.

I was at Beecraigs Country Park and spotted three Buzzards at close range though I only managed to get a picture of one but on my YouTube channel you can see two of them. Which brings me to this month, the days are starting to feel spring like so hopefully these constant rainy days are behind us so I’m looking forward getting out more.