bawsinch

 

13-05-23

Another sunny day and Mary and I headed up Holyrood Pk. We were around the Innocent Railway taking photos of shieldbugs, birds and butterflies, when we bumped in to Andrew and Unda. They were going along to Bawsinch Nature Reserve and invited us along as their guests. (It is fenced and locked so you need someone with a key to let you in.) I hadn't been in ages and was interested to see how it was doing. It was doing very well!

hairy shieldbug

holly blue (male)

orange tip

gvw

I had forgotten the joys of the place - I have been in before, as a guest of Richard and on another occasion a guest of Ken, and another yet, when the fence was being repaired! But I had forgotten how quiet and peaceful it is. No dogs or dog walkers. Now while I don't mind most dogs, it is one of the best aspects of this wildlife reserve that you can't take dogs in. I'm sure the birds appreciate it too as there are no wild scampering mutts chasing anything that moves in the undergrowth. You don't realise how many dogs there are in the city until you create a space without dogs. It means young birds and foxcubs and the like can wander about with one hazard fewer. And NO DOG SHIT! Wow, that is something to enjoy.

And there seemed to be loads of commas. Mary and Unda kept spotting them on trees sunbathing. They seemed to be in pretty good condition too. Although not always prepared to open wings and pose. There are various ponds and watery bits. Didn't seem to be much yet in the way of damselflies and dragonflies. There were a couple of pheasants strolling about, keeping an eye on us.

Unda spotted this scorpion fly

kestrel overhead

orange tip egg

I was delighted to see the first Red Admiral of the year. Technically not the first - we'd seen a couple but this was the first photo of the year. Unfortunately it had business elsewhere and didn't hang about for long. Same with the foxcub below which peeped out the foxhole for a second and then disappeared. We waited for a while but probably the sight of 4 of us hanging around did not encourage them out. I know U&A went back several times to get photos, as did Richard. And they seemed okay about performing if you kept low and a distance from the den.

mrs. P with bread bribe

While we waited on the foxes reappearing I went over and had interactions with a pair of pheasants who were mooching about in the long grass. I coaxed them over with seeds and bread and they were happy to pose for pics.

not a pretty song / shout

rich colours

There was also a black (or Melanistic?) pheasant hanging about, 

but it quickly wandered off into the underground when I went over for a chat

glorious colours

Canadian goslings

We thanked Andrew and Unda for taking us into Bawsinch and headed back across Holyrood with them. Mary took the flattest road option back homeward while I headed up over the hill initially to look for birds and then on the other side came across another pheasant. It was interested in food but also kept its distance. A gang of crows descended and I had some fun with them in between taking photos of the pheasant - it was a younger one than the earlier one (shorter tail) but possibly just as daft. I think all their strengths have gone into display and foliage rather than brains and cunning. Their feathers are amazing when seen close up.

crows are quick to recognise a handout

how many birds can Evel Crow-nievel jump?

Nearly a month on from this day out, I (we) have joined The Scottish Wildlife Trust and applied to get a key for Bawsinch (£15 above the annual membership for Mary and I.) It is in the post and arriving soon. We are looking forward to the option of dog-free wildlife days.

I realised taking the direct line across the hills I might not be far behind Mary who would be walking home fairly slowly round the road, protecting her sore knee. I had a bit of a jog and caught up with her a few streets from home. The streets were awash with Leith's finest who, at the smallest sign of sunshine take to pub tables and fling beer down their necks for hours then shout into the small hours of morning. Nothing if not classy.