rats, bats and a dipper-do

This was 22nd January and I was feeling optimistic about the warmer temperatures maybe bringing out some local wildlife. It's almost like I can't get the running mojo fired up enough to just go for a run for the sake of fitness and strength. The prospect of having something to take photos of seems a greater pull these days. Lots of otter sightings on social media, plus the potential of a kingfisher, a dipper or maybe even a confused butterfly (several have been spotted in Scotland, most just popping down the shops for a snack before rushing back indoors till Spring arrives)(but if you don't venture out you really won't see them) is usually what gets the running shoes on.

an improvement on the previous art

venue 1 was the Dean Village, where on first of Jan. Mary and I saw an otter

No sign of the otter near the Dean Village. Nor the flighty kingfisher. Given the lack of light it was never going to be a brilliant photoshoot. But ever the optimist, I keep going past these same spots in hope. Sometimes it throws up a complete surprise. And on this occasion hoopla! A bat. Midday, and a bat was fluttering back and forth over the same spot near the bridge and steps to the Modern Art Gallery. I don't recall ever seeing one in the daylight. Presumably the warmth bringing out the gnats and flies which brought out the bat. I stood gaping up into the sky for (just checked the gps) 14minutes taking photos while it flew in circuits, never landing. 

I must have taken 150 photos. Without zooming in it just appears as a distant dot in the sky. Zoom in a lot and you are lucky to get a wingtip leaving the frame. Somewhere in between is about right then hit and hope. Takes loads and maybe 1 in 20 comes out. Don't blow it! How often do you get the chance? Even worse than trying to catch a butterfly on the wing. I was pleased to get some results that weren't awful but there was loads of room for improvement. 

After so much standing around I was cold and stiff and didn't stop for several miles - leaving the Water of Leith for the cyclepath where it crosses before Roseburn, then heading up Ardmillan Tarrace and into Harrison Park - otter spotter plotter. Can't have been any there as I didn't even take photos but ran less than a mile along the canal before heading over to Craiglockhart where I checked out the duck pond next to the sports centre. Not much going on there so climbed over the hill and down to the Hermitage. The shopping list featured wrens, dippers, robins, tree creepers and (I optimistically hoped) butterflies. But only the way an addict hopes he'll find a wrap in the park when he has no cash to buy one. Unlikely. 

ducks at Craiglockhart

The board of butterflies at the Hermitage walled garden was missing 3 slices. Both the Heaths and the DGF. Hope they are off being repaired and not that they have been chiselled off by some passer-by. Almost worth making replacements myself and sticking them back on just to imagine the puzzlement of the owner. I have a photo of the originals to copy. There's a project if the telly breaks.

No sign of the usual wren(s) around here.
(Nor butterflies! needless to say)

yo! dipper!

Now, there are a few dippers on the burn that runs through the Hermitage. There are a pair after the building but before the end of the trees. They have become habituated to dog-walkers and the likes of me standing close and pointing a camera at them. Which is great. But, it is under the trees and when the sun isn't shining there is limited light and photos can look kinda crappy. (Above.)

I usually cross the bridge heading east (downstream) and there are sometimes another pair or single dipper near Agassiz Rock but on the opposite bank. The path is a bit muddy but has the benefit of less traffic. No dogs jumping into the river and scaring the birds. It continues to the Howe Dean bridge. Parts are quite waterlogged currently. The downside of less traffic means the dippers there are far more cautious. So although the light is better it is MUCH harder to get close to the delightful little birds. They do a warning call to their pals then fly with super-fast wingbeats 100 yards upstream. Or downstream. Whichever is less convenient.

the first signs of japanese butterbur appearing

This one saw me coming and flew upstream. I saw it was perched on a stick and checking if the coast was clear. I ducked below the dead grass level and waited for ages, legs complaining and generally looking like a pervert in the long grass. It cautiously slipped into the water and drifted down on the current. I got a few shots, as it hopped out onto this midstream stone, poking the lens through the grass. It wasn't fooled for long and took flight calling to its mate and the 2 of them shot off to below the Howe Dean bridge. (Where had the mate been all that time?) I followed them for a bit but they were far too aware of me and pretending to be more interested in things a few corners downstream. I was getting the brush off.

pair of dippers, buggering off

I ran back upstream stopping for a quick chat to a robin before climbing up the other side of the hill and over to Blackford Pond. Where there are usually some birds to bribe with bread in exchange for modelling work. The light had gone for the day and the chances of butterflies now seemed as remote as eagles or badgers dancing round a camp fire.

When I got to the pond there was a photographer already there and I asked were those rodents there by the sign, were they actually rats? He said they were. They looked so cute and fat and furry that had he said they were water voles I'd have believed him. For the record, voles have less pointy faces and their ears are closer to their bodies. Rats: more prominent ears. But yes they can swim. One looked like it had just swum back from the island and popped out onto the side of the pond. There were at least 3, attracted to the bird seed, thrown for the birds, but left on the path. When a dog or pedestrian came past they disappeared into the riverbank rushes and grass beside the pond. But grew quite bold about my presence. I sat still on the nearby bench and took photos. They are said to be intelligent, and seemed to be: able to assess the surroundings and work out that I didn't present a danger to them. I was amused by them; they do not have the biggest fan club, but do have a huge capacity for adaptation and survival. And know a free lunch when they see one. 

playing the harmonica,
or maybe mouse organ

I sat for a while - more interested in the rats than the usual birds; mallards, tufted ducks, gulls and moorhens. Eventually I got up (after 20mins) and ran stiffly for a bit before loosening off. I called in at the Walkers to see about the following day's work then picked up the pace to run the 4 miles back through Holyrood. Without really trying to I had notched up over 15 miles. With quite a few treats along the way!

15 miles (anti-clockwise)