Out and About in February & March

Flock of dunlin birds resting on rocks in the water, seen during an outing.

In this post I share some of the more interesting sightings I have had in Scotland during February and the first half of March. In early February I took my thermal scope out for a spin looking for snipe. I was pleased to find a couple of Common Snipe but also two of the rarerContinueContinue reading “Out and About in February & March”

Out and About in January

Ring-necked duck swimming in rippled water, black head, yellow eye, gray sides.

Finally I feel I am back to traditional birding in Scotland after the wonderful big year in Latin America. Whilst I ended 2024 with 1445 birds, I start 2025 with zero the same as everybody else. My first bird of this year was a Robin I heard singing outside and tracked down through the curtainsContinueContinue reading “Out and About in January”

Christmas birding and the year of the Snow Goose

Flock of shorebirds wading in shallow water, some taking flight.

Nothing like a couple of weeks off to plan to get out and see some wildlife after a busy few months with work. And I thought I would just share what I have been seeing over the Christmas and New Year break. Taking a walk from my house in Menstrie and I see the KestrelContinueContinue reading “Christmas birding and the year of the Snow Goose”

Sheriffmuir in May

My favourite habitat at this time of year is the moorland in and around the Ochils. What seems mostly dead in winter suddenly comes alive with long-distant migrants arriving along with more local birds which expand their territories into all that available nesting ground. You can actually see a huge amount of wildlife just byContinueContinue reading “Sheriffmuir in May”

The River Devon in February

Dipper on a rock in the River Devon. The bird has a white chest and brown head.

So my “habitat-focus” for this month is the River Devon. At just over 30 miles in length this is a fairly short river starting in the Ochils above Menstrie and Alva and entering the Forth about 5 miles away as the crow flies at Cambus. River’s are a rich habitat that attract a different rangeContinueContinue reading “The River Devon in February”

January in Menstrie Woods

Long-tailed tit perched on a branch in Menstrie Woods.

Over the new year I thought it would be good to have a bit of a series on the blog and I am going to follow a habitat or two during the year. So we start with Menstrie Woods. Everything featured in this post was taken or recorded in January 2022. Come back next monthContinueContinue reading “January in Menstrie Woods”

A walk around Gartmorn Dam

Canada geese take flight from Gartmorn Dam.

So my wife and I started the new year with a walk around Gartmorn Dam, a retired gravel pit nearby in Clackmannanshire. We walked clockwise from the carpark and, in between wishing all the anti-clockwise walkers a “Happy New Year”, we managed to get the birding year list off to a flying start. Of courseContinueContinue reading “A walk around Gartmorn Dam”

A drive up Sheriffmuir

Curlew bird with long beak in Sheriffmuir habitat.

May and June are great months to take a drive up Sheriffmuir as you are straight into moorland/upland habitat where you see a different range of wildlife to the lowlands. As a bonus the car acts as a great portable wildlife hide. In spring and summer, lots of birds come here to breed. Local migrantsContinueContinue reading “A drive up Sheriffmuir”

A walk in Menstrie Woods

Path through Menstrie Woods, a carpet of bluebells under the trees.

Menstrie Woods at the foot of Dumyat has a lovely mix of wildlife living within it. I have taken a walk here most weeks over the last year. I particularly enjoy the high path that goes from the woodland play park up into higher woodland. May is a great time to visit as all theContinueContinue reading “A walk in Menstrie Woods”

A walk behind Broomhall Castle

A grassy field with grazing sheep, bordered by houses and trees, sits at the base of rolling green hills under a clear blue sky.

I like to take a walk before work and see what Scottish Wildlife I can see. It is often the usual suspects but still a great way to start any day. In this series of posts I will share a walk (or perhaps a cycle) from my house and share what I see. All photosContinueContinue reading “A walk behind Broomhall Castle”