bathtime at Warriston

 

14-01-25 Another trip along to Warriston and from the photos it looks like the sun was out for a bit and then the clouds moved in. Nice to see a variety of birds, especially around the tunnel area where they often splash about in the tiny stream that goes under the tunnel and heads toward the Water of Leith sixty yards away. I encourage this by putting down bird-food near there. I have been video-ing them bathing in the stream and collected a few clips over a couple of visits. The result is posted at the bottom of this page.

lots of bullfinches in the cemetery at the moment

blue tit

bullfinch (f)

the grey wagtail turns up most days

great tit

chaffinch
fewer about than usual

I was thrilled when this songthrush appeared from nowhere and landed right beside me. 
Not many about and they are never this friendly!

I thought it might be a youngster
but have no proof or reason to believe this other than it wasn't shy,

...and that it looked in great condition

I have twice seen a treecreeper in the stream
and was gobsmacked both times - (mostly) only ever seen them on trees! 

bullfinch and blue skies - magic!

only an occasional dunnock and they are
usually rooting around the ground or down low

very small insects in the sunbeams

I enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture tiny bugs
and insects flying in the atypical warmth of the sun. 

the crows were about and happy to earn a crust by posing for photos

My first snowdrops of the season! I was reluctant to get down on the ground as it was soaking wet and filthy. However I wanted a shot from a low angle so held the camera just off the grass and mud and used the flip screen to frame the flowers and make sure they were in focus. I prefer the viewfinder but the screen works as well. But it was possibly the reason I didn't see what I think is the first hoverfly of the year on the right hand side petal. I hadn't been expecting to see any until nearer March just ahead of butterflies reappearing.

That said I wouldn't be surprised to see a hibernating butterfly come out on one of the sunny double digit temperature days we've had this month. Hasn't happened yet as far as I'm aware but I keep expecting a freak appearance to turn up on the facebook butterfly group page. (News just in, Abbie M recorded a speckled wood in Butterdean Woods, which seems extraordinary as they aren't commonly thought to hibernate, which suggests this one emerged from a chrysalis a month or 3 early.) 

redwings

There are some gangs of redwings around the cemetery but they are flighty and tend to fly high into the trees at the sight of a terrifying camera person. I caught some (maybe 15) turning over leaves near the East Gate but they saw me and escaped into the trees. 

great tit

I am a big fan of the stock doves. I know they are almost indistinguishable from pigeons, but I kinda like pigeons as well! Very swift fliers. I don't think it was on this occasion but I saw 6 at one time around the tunnel the other day. A couple of years back, there was just a pair occasionally turning up. Now there is nearly enough to call them a flock. Whoever is leaving bird seed where the cyclepath goes over the tunnel is probably encouraging them to hang here. Distinctive black eyes and black bars on their wings.

this wee wren also makes me think it is a youngster
because it is cute and fairly tame (for a wren)

As the light went down the pan, I called it a day. If I have to put the ISO above 10,000 it is time to go home for a late lunch. The blackbirds, of which there seems to be 3 or 4 of both genders, were still hopping about and unafraid. They seem to recognise I provide a free meal and don't do anything worse than point a lens at them. And so they will come past really close. A pleasure to spend a few hours in their company. 

Video clips from near the tunnel stream mostly.
full cast list under the first comment on youTube page