birdland

 

4th, 6th & 7th March. Three days wandering locally - Botanics and Warriston. Poor health and average weather discouraging anything more ambitious. Taking pleasure in the small things, a wren in the cemetery, a dunnock in the Botanics. A decent time of year for the birds who are gathering nesting materials.

a pair of tits

Unfortunately one of the better places in Warriston is by the stream under the tunnel. The light is bad and even if the sun is shining it won't be lighting up the stream and surrounding shrubs. As a result the photos look a bit drab.

great tit

stock dove

blackbird

stock dove - sitting high enough to catch the sun

stock dove photobombs the squirrel

robin

periwinkle

hazel

water rail

cherry plum

So on the 6th I went to the Botanics. Dan had mentioned dippers nesting up the WoL towards Stockbridge but I couldn't see any sign of them and wasn't absolutely positive I was standing at the right spot. So I headed to the Botanics where just inside the West Gate I came across this woodpecker high in the tall trees there. I shot some disappointingly shoogly video. 

female great spotted woodpecker

LTTs collecting lichen for nests

I have been photographing this Viburnum latana
as it opens up - something about the aesthetic appeals

I was disappointed there were no butterflies. As compensation when checking the rock garden out as the sun was just about to go down I came across this dunnock, sitting high up and singing a pretty song. I started out on the wrong side of it and had to quietly sneak underneath it to get the sun behind me. I was surprised it stayed sat there and singing, and I got some great video (at bottom of page) and shots. Highlight of the day.

glory-of-the-snow

robin

Wall screw-moss

On the way home the sun was catching the moss on the wall at Powderhall. I was so busy taking photos of it a woman approched and asked had I seen something she hadn't that I was taking photos of. I think the locals know there are kingfishers and otters regularly seen on that stretch of river, but on this occasion I had to confess it was just the moss catching the light and looking like a miniature forest.

The 7th. And that cat, I found out some time later, is Mittens and lives near the Botanics. I think it knows it shouldn't really be in there and slinks guiltily through the gardens probably looking for birds.

blue tit

insta-posing

We went to the cafe and had a pot of tea for two. (I was with Mary.) The cafe is good if pricey and we mainly avoid it, although recently I've been on three occasions, so maybe I don't avoid it as much. On the left was a rhubard scone that came with a jar of jam and a jar of clotted cream. We hope the profits go towards the upkeep of the gardens rather than to an outside business.

Coming back out the cafe the insta girls were still busy pantomiming a lifestyle. I asked Mary to pose so I could take a photo past her shoulder of the other poseurs but to be honest they weren't all that bad. Fake, yes, but it's not a crime to do dress-up-and-pretend. Mary is mastering the trout pout in the foreground. 

camellia

Being a Saturday the Queen Mother's garden and alpines area were open. No flowers at all in the first bit but loads in the alpine greenhouses near the palm houses, all freshly refurbed and looking spectacular. Lots of lovely delicate tiny blossoms. I couldn't believe there were no butterflies. And did my best to enjoy the experience anyway. 

view over to the Pentlands with a dusting of snow

female bullfinch

primula

I can't rightly remember but I suspect Mary went directly home while I went to Warriston. Driven by the lack of butterflies on what I felt should be a day with butterflies. 

wren

ladybird

Again the tunnel stream was good for birds but bad for light. The bullfinches were bathing and the pigeons and stock doves were moving in on the piles of seeds and nuts I put out.

stock doves

six stock doves and 2 wood pigeons

When I first started coming to Warriston in lockdown, stock doves were a rare visitor. Great to see 6 here - a sign they have become regular residents, although much of the time they like to sit high up in trees.

wren

LTT

When I saw the Glory-of-the-Snow flowering I checked out the post hole in this gravestone just above the crypts. A single purple flower sprouts there every year. I nearly missed it or maybe it had been trampled this year and looked a bit dog-eared. Glad to continue the annual tradition though.

winter gnats (I think)
Obsidentify failed to recognise these insects

a few video clips
soundtrack: Yellowed Leaves Drift Down
by Hior Chronik, Natalia Tsupryk, Asia Dojnikowska