Keepers Cottage Wildlife Garden Diary

May 2012 in the garden

2012-07-06T15:21:00.001Z

A selection of photos taken during May in the garden.

Apple Blossom

Juvenile Chaffinch

Juvenile Siskin

Common Carder Bee

Bluebells in the woods behind our garden

Path to the seat

Bluetits from the nestbox on the garage being ringed

Smile!

Bugle

Bumblebee on bluebells

Cherry Blossom

Crab Spider Xysticus cristatus

Common Blue Damselfly

Large Common Frog in the pond

Great Diving Beetle Larvae…

…munching there way through all our tadpoles

Greenfinch

Distant shot of Greylags with goslings in the field opposite

Hoverfly Sericomyia silentis

Hoverfly over Ox-eye Daisy

Large Red Damseflies mating

Lrge Red Damselfly in the greenhouse

Linnet in the front garden

Two-banded Longhorn Beetle

Marsh Marigolds or King Cups

Newt in the pond

Nicrophorus-humator

Ox-eye Daisy

Palmate newt…

…look at those webbed feet!

Peacock Butterfly

Pheasant chick, we only saw one this year and it wasnt about for very long!

Pine Weevil Hylobius abietis

Red Campion

Scorpion Fly

Dead shrew

Snail

House Sparrow babies from the nestbox at the back of the shed..

…ready to be ringed

Metellina merianae

Spotted Flycatcher

Red Squirrel in feeder

Mirid Bug Stenodema-calcarata

Crane-fly Tipula-maxima

Water Boatmen

Weevil

Dunskey Glen 26th May 2012

2012-07-02T19:35:00.001Z

A hot sunny day (yes we have had a few!) so decided on a shady walk through Dunskey Glen.

We parked in the glen car park and set off towards the woods, although sunny it was also very windy picking up the dust on the track.

Bracket fungi…

…and more.

Roe Deer

She seemed reluctant to leave so think there may have been a fawn nearby

Hawthorn…

…or May blossom

Large Red Damselfly

English Bluebell

Wild Garlic or Ramsons

Minnow in the burn

Common Carpet (I think!)

The Glen

Spotted Flycatcher

Knapweed Bell Epiblema cirsiana

Sea Campion

Female Stonechat

Thrift

This pigeon landed right next to me it seemed desperate for a drink

Pete and Mike watching the pigeon from the bridge

Port Kale

Distant shot of a Linnet…

…and a Whitethroat

Smiths Pepperwort

Eider Duck

Cooked shrimp!

Rock pools

Spring Squill

Clear waters

Blue, blue sea

This Ringed Plover was making a fuss..

…we soon noticed why..

…there were three of these little fluff balls nearby

Sea Kale

Wall butterfly

Port Mora

Both Port Mora and Port Kale are close together at the end of Duskey Glen and both have there own character

Bloody Cranesbill (yes thats its name!)

Walking back through the Glen

There are some amazing old trees in the glen

Lesser Swallow Prominent

We nearly trod on it in the path

Not seen one of these before

Spotted a Great tit visiting its nest in a hole in a tree

Wren

A brief glimpse of Dunskey House through the trees

Hoverfly Eristalis sp

Another deer this time a male.

A great walk, have done this one many times and there are always surprises!

SOC Walk Stranraer Community Woodland 23rd May 2012

2012-06-29T19:34:00.001Z

A beautiful evening for an SOC evening walk at Stranraer Community Woodland.

The view from the car park towards Stranraer (click on photo to see larger image)

Ailsa Craig with Arran beyond

A Siskin up amongst the cones

A distant Yellowhammer

Towards Cairn Pat

Fields of buttercups

A strange looking caterpillar that I struggled to identify, however Roy Leverton on the Scottish Moths forum wrote:

“I've seen something like this before, though not quite so extreme. I suspect
it's a Garden Tiger that has lost nearly all its hairs, perhaps have spun theminto a cocoon. Maybe the cocoon was then torn open by a bird. The few hairs that remain, plus the very white spiracles, would fit Garden Tiger."

Juvenile Crows

I think this is a Cuckoo Flower, but an unusual double form

This is the usual form.

A lovely evening walk and plenty of wildlife seen, including over 30 species of birds!

Loch Trool to Loch Dee Walk–19th May 2012

2012-06-29T16:19:00.001Z

A dull showery day and not very warm but ideal for a long walk in the hills. We parrked at Glentrool near to Bruces Stone and set off down the hill to the Glentrool Oak Woods.

Managed by the Cree Valley Woodlands Trust with the forestry Commission, they do an excellant job in preserving this ancient woodland and it is full of life.

Old broken tree.

The path follows part of the Southern Upland Way..

…through the Galloway Hills…

…past both deciduous and coniferous woodland…

…and tumbling burns.

Hawthorn or May blossom

Lots of different birds seen by the burn including Grey Wagtails and a Dipper

The tumbling Gairland Burn

A chance to play about with shutter speeds…

Low light….

….and in the absence of a tripod a bridge is always good!

Nuthatch-only recently colonising Scotland

This is a great path, even in wet weather

Glenhead-This beautiful little cottage has been empty for several years and sadly the Forestry Commission are talking about demolishing, such a shame as it would make a great walkers bothy.

We could hear Cuckoos here

Glenhead Burn

The path now starts to rise through the hills, this is looking back toward Glenhead

Lichen or Moss?…not sure but it was very striking

Up through the hills

Quite bleak in places

Looking back towards The Merrick area

Our first glimpse of Loch Dee…

…with its islands

Meadow Pipit

The Giant Axehead….

…one of the Galloway Forest Park sculptures…

…with its ancient Runic script

Colourful moss

Loch Dee is quite a large loch…

…in a beautiful setting…

…and well worth the walk from either Loch Trool side or Craigencallie near Clatteringshaws

Theres always someone has to spoil such a beautiful place!

Looks like these have been here a long time, you would think the Forestry Commission would clear these up

Willow Warbler

One of Loch Dees islands

Mayfly

7 Stanes sign

We must explore Loch Dee further on another day, but now its time to turn back

The Loch even has sandy beaches

Large tadpole in a puddle

Back towards the bridge over the Glenhead Burn where we heard the Cuckoos and we actually saw two in the distance, a bit far away to get a decent photo but at least we saw them!

Stark conifers a contrast to the lush oak woods

Another Nuthatch

Spotted Flycatcher

Back to the Gairland Burn and the light is even lower so time to play with shutter speeds again!

An empty nest in brambles

Meadow Pipit

I think this is the Buchan Burn

Dor Beetle

Back at Bruces Stone…

…overlooking Loch Trool

A great walk!

Craigencallie and Black Loch 12th May 2012

2012-06-09T20:44:00.001Z

A visit to Craigencallie first to check out the route for the butterfly survey we have volunteered to do.

Lots of logging going on here

Lousewort

Mike having a rest by the 7 Stanes sign

Galloway hills

Theres been a lot of shooting going on here!

View towards the hills

Pipit

Robin

We stopped by a burn and watched this robin bathing…

…shortly followed by a Willow Warbler!

Bugle

Wee frog

We found a butterfly but this Orange Tip had expired!

We had a break by a small quarry and looked to see what was lurking in a small pool. You can just about make out this dragonfly larvae if you look closely

Plenty of tadpoles still about

Milkwort

A Newt, palmate I think

Weevil

Green-veined White Butterfly on Coltsfoot

A live Orange-tip on Cuckoo Flower.

Next we travelled back down The Queens Way to Black Loch

The weather is much brighter now!

The Black Loch

The Black Loch with The Eye in the distance

The Eye

The Eye and Black Loch

Pete looking through The Eye

Through The Eye

Lots of Bugle

Stonechat

SOC Walk Galloway House Gardens & Cruggleton Bay 5th May 2012 pm

2012-06-08T20:58:00.001Z

A lovely day, we met at the Galloway House Gardens Car park for a West Galloway Scottish Ornithological Club walk.

Avenue of trees leading to the house.

The rhododendrons are stunning at this time of year!

We soon started seeing our first birds,Robin, Blackcap and Song Thrush were spotted first and Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff heard

Wild Garlic alongside the old walled garden

Watching Wimbrels and Sandwich Terns in the bay

This lovely old trees branches have touched the ground and rooted

Shelduck on the shore

Juvenile Chaffinch waiting to be fed

Slime mould

This pond in the gardens was full of life including tadpoles, newts and water beetles

English bluebells

Not sure what this is but it was very pretty

Path lined with rhododendrons

Tree ferns

There are some beautiful old trees in this garden

Some with interesting bark

Galloway House

These delightful brown lambs were near the carpark.

Galloway House Gardens are well worth a visit, find out more on their website:

http://www.gallowayhousegardens.co.uk/

Garlieston to Eggerness Point 5th May 2012 am

2012-06-06T08:35:00.001Z

A short walk this morning as we have an SOC walk in the afternoon.

Decided to walk from Garlieston to Eggerness Point, have tried to do this before, but there has always been shooting going on!

Orange-tip Butterfly

Whitethroat

Sandwich Terns

View back towards Garlieston…

…and zoomed in. The white cottage on the far left was a holiday cottage, we stayed there in about 1980!

Honesty

Bluebell woods

I think someone has a chimney problem!

Rock Pipit with food

Whimbrels

Bluebells and Wild Garlic

Early Purple Orchid

Willow Warbler

Green-veined White Butterfly

Colourful Lichen

Bubbling sea

Primroses

Another orchid, lots of these about

Bugle

Remains of a Cockchafer Beetle

Spring Squill

Tormentil

Birds-foot Trefoil

7 Spot Ladybird

Willow Warbler with feather

I think they were nesting nearby

Woodland path

Green-veined White underside…

…and top

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Back to the car and our lunchtime entertainment, not something you see often…

…a Skylark….

….having a dust bath

Moths January–April 2012

2012-06-05T16:56:00.001Z

Early Thorn

Agonopterix-arenella

Angle Shades caterpillar

Brindled Pug

Chestnut

Clouded Drab

Clouded Drabs

Common-Quaker

Dark-Sword-Grass

Depressaria-daucella

Diurnea-fagella

Dotted-Border

Early tooth striped

Early Grey

Early Tooth Striped

Emperor Moth-female

Large haul of Hebrew Characters

Hebrew Character

Unidentified looper

March Moth

Mottled Grey

Pale Brindled Beauty

Red Chestnut

Red-letter-Flat-body-Agonopterix-ocellana

Satellite

Small Quaker

Engrailed

Twin-spotted-Quaker

Water Carpet

White-shouldered House Moth

Winter Moth

In the garden Jan-April 2012

2012-06-05T12:56:00.001Z

One of the many Red Squirrels we get in the garden

Buff-tailed Bumblebee with mites

Great Diving Beetle

Frog

Frogspawn

Gorse

Beetle Nicrophorus Humator

Peacock

Pond Skater

Pond Snail

Rainbow

Row Deer having trouble getting over the fence put up by Scottish Water for the Loch Ryan pipeline in the field next to us

He eventually panicked and jumped

Rove Beetle

This stupid sheep got tangled in brambles and Pete had to cut it free

Snowdrops

Spider

Wild Daffodils

Birds in the Garden January-April 2012

2012-06-05T08:15:00.001Z

Robin

Feeding up in the cold weather!

Bluetit

Coal Tit

Goldfinch

Chaffinch

Jay

Bullfinch

Bluetit

Female Pheasant

Male Siskin

Yellowhammers

Willow Warbler

Robins nesting in the shed

A few birds ringed in the garden

Blackbird

Robin

Long-tailed Tits

Male Siskin

Greenfinch

Son Mike holding Lesser Redpoll

Male Siskin

Lesser Redpoll

Robin

Male Siskin

Southern Upland Way Glenwhan Moor - 28th April 2012

2012-06-03T17:05:00.001Z

A walk along our favourite stretch of the Southern Upland Way. We knew it would be a good time to look for Green Hairstreak butterflies and Emperor Moths.

We weren’t disappointed, we soon came across the first of many Green Hairstreaks!

Dark Tussock Moth caterpillar

Common Heath Moth…

…and a darker form

Mail Stonechat

another Common Heath

Male Stonechat, there was also a female and I think there was a nest nearby

Roe Deer

Lily pads

Green Hairstreak on willow

Hoverfly-Sericomyia-lappona

Lousewort

Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)

Gritty British Soldiers Cladonia floerkeana

Female Stonechat

Spider Larinioides cornutus

Milkwort

Water Carpet moth

Tachina ursina

Mining bee-Andrena species

Primrose

Kist

Some brand new shiny Waymerks!

View towards New Luce

Andrena sp

Northern Eggar moth caterpillar

Beetle probably Poecilus versicolor

Neat little nest

Another Northern Eggar, lots of these about

Green Tiger beetle

This is what they do to foxes in these parts!

Along the path

Drinker Moth caterpillar

Male Stonechat in flight

Male Stonechat

Roe Deer

Hares-tail-cotton-grass

Dark Tussock moth caterpillar

Well we eventually found a beautiful male Emperor moth but it was being devoured by this Stonechat. Now we know where it gets its colours from Next is a sequence of shots I took, it took some getting down!

Wheatear

Loch Ryan nr Soleburn 21st April 2012

2012-06-03T11:50:00.001Z

A short walk on our local patch to do BTO BBS survey.

Oystercatcher on straw bale.

Linnets

Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis)

Bluebell

Red Campion

Dunnock

Vinca Major

Grrr!!!

Oystercatchers

Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba)

Possibly Myxilla incrustans

View towards the mouth of Loch Ryan

White horse

Chaffinch collecting bling for its nest

Horse

Tracks in the mud, any ideas?

Bluebells

Pink bells

Green-veined white butterfly

Rusty boat

Dead Whooper swan, checked for rings but none

Wood of Cree to Loch Middle–14th April 2012

2012-05-18T14:20:00.001Z

We have often walked in the RSPBs Wood of Cree, but decided to walk a bit further to Loch Middle.

Wood Anemone

Long-tailed Tit with food

Treecreeper building nest

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We watched this Treecreeper for some time building its nest in a gap near the base of a tree

Ancient woodland

Waterfalls

Dor Beetle, there is always dozens here on the paths

Tree information board

Dog Violets

Celandines

Plenty of logging been going on here

Tree Pipit taking off from its vantage point

Pond Skaters

Bee mimic

Loch Middle

Plenty of tadpoles still in the puddles

Cottage ruins

Lichen covered tree

Pussy willows

From the viewpoint overlooking the Cree

Bracket Fungi

I know there is an abundance of nesting material here but this is a bit of overkill!

If you stand still in this woods long enough, moss grows up your legs!

A male Blackcap was singing back near the car park

Auchie Glen & Mull of Galloway 7th April 2012

2012-05-13T20:14:00.001Z

A walk down Auchie Glen to see what wildlife was about.

Chiffchaff

Blossom & blue sky

Primroses

Bluetit

Linnet

Lamb

Blackthorn

Ramsons or Wild Garlic

7 Spot Ladybird

Opposite–leaved Golden Saxifrage

Greater Stitchwort

Very Early Mining Bee

Peacock Butterfly

Wren

Mull of Galloway

Auchie Glen

Footpath sign at top of Auchie Glen.

Next stop the Mull of Galloway.

Lighthouse lamp

Distant Wheatear

Rock Pipit down at the fog horn

Guillimots trying to get on camera!

Common Scurvygrass

Sea Campion

Mull of Galloway Lighthouse

South Ayrshire Coast Path from Glenapp - 31st March 2012

2012-05-04T11:40:00.001Z

A lovely sunny day so decided on a walk along the South Ayrshire Coast Path from Glenapp.

Green Tiger Beetle

Dog Violet

Opposite leaved Golden Saxifrage

Peacock Butterfly

Our first Chiffchaff of the year

Common Lizard

Large Bee Fly Bombylius-major

View towards Loch Ryan and the North Rhins where we live

Carline Thistle

Meadow Pipit

Ailsa Craig with Arran behind

This is a great stretch of the path with excellent views

Towards the mouth of Loch Ryan and Corsewall Lighthouse

Towards Arran

Mountain Hare!

I think we woke him up!

Lapwings displaying, we watched them for quite a while and Mike recorded their sounds

Pied Wagtail

Tak yer litter hame!

Cost path sign

Marsh Marigolds

Coltsfoot

Row of Beech Trees

Goat

Pied Wagtail

Brown coo!

Unidentified fly I think of the cranefly family

Sheep

Meadow Pipit

Nuthatch, there were two, not seen them here before

Grey Wagtail, there were a pair here

Glenapp Church

Coast Path board

A great walk and a beautiul day!

Glenkitten Fell–24th March 2012

2012-05-01T20:54:00.001Z

A forest walk not far from New Luce.

Common Lizard

Dog lichen

Deer print

Cladonia diversa

stereocaulon sp

Woolly Fringe-moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum)

Early Tooth-striped moth

Hare's-tail Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum)

Stag's-horn Clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum)

Fox print

Drone fly Eristalis-pertinax

Not something you expect to see in a Scottish forest!

stereocaulon sp

Beautiful Ballantrae –17th March 2012

2012-04-18T21:35:00.001Z

Our original plans were thwarted by a blocked road and diversion so we settled on a bit of photography at Ballantrae.

We were glad we did as it was a lovely sunny day and Ballantrae looked stunning in the sunshine.

Looking South

We thought this crab was dead but it started to move so son Mike rescued it and took it down to the shoreline where it would have a beer chance

Greylags

Greylags and assorted Gulls

Ballantrae and Knockdolian

Boot trap-so cruel!

Views back towards Ballantrae

Son Mike trying to get a better shot than me!

Remains of a Sun Star

24 Spot Ladybird

Ailsa Craig

Ballantrae

Interesting pottery

Not a cool look!

We found this great stone with a hole in it and had fun taking some photos of it

Warship on the horizon

Red bricks

Ballantrae

Ardstinchar Castle ruins

Eyesore!

Ringed Plover

I hate balloons!

Reflections

Jackdaws

What have they seen?

..and what’s down there?

Curlew

Shanny in rock pool

Ailsa Craig

Merganser

Foam

Silhouetted man on bike

Kelp on stone

Shelduck

Pied wagtail

Ailsa

Into the sun

Now what’s he found?

Bull!

Barloch Wood–10th March 2012

2012-04-17T14:01:00.001Z

A cold grey day so not very photographic!

Parked near Loch Maberry for a walk in Barloch Wood.

View across Loch Dornal

Forest track

Loch Maberry

River Bladnoch

Yet another silhouetted Crossbill, one day perhaps I will get a decent photo!

Hairy moss covered tree

A slight detour to the other side of the loch, not really worth it!

Toads in the path!

I think Loch Maberry is the source of the Bladnoch

Reflected reeds

Dog lichen Peltigera membranacea

Polbae

Plenty of frogspawn about

3 Roe Deer disappearing over the hill

Coltsfoot

Nearly back to the car and a view towards the Galloway Hills

I think we are parked in “no mans land” one way says Dumfries and Galloway….

…and the other Ayrshire!

Birdsong-Book Review

2012-04-16T20:47:00.001Z

I was recently sent this beautiful book to review.

Birdsong is a book with a difference as you can learn your birdsong from the comfort of your armchair.

Simple to use this book is not just beautifully illustrated but also has a simple to operate panel so you can select the page number to hear the call or song of the bird you are looking at.

I would thoroughly recommend-this is a great coffee table book and makes a lovely gift!

BIRDSONG - Quadrille Publishing

Jonathan Elphick, Lars Svensson & Jan Pedersen

UK Publication date: 29th March 2012

ISBN 978 184949 134 1

Hardback with sound module

RRP Price £30.00

Over 300 colour illustrations

Buy from Amazon

Greenock Trip 29/2–3/3/2012

2012-04-12T14:57:00.001Z

A few days away at Monkton then Greenock.

Stopped off on the way at Doonfoot near Ayr as there had been reports of Snow Buntings, sadly we didn’t see them so just took a few shots of the castle.

Dodgy position, I wonder how long it will remain perched on the edge!

Our view out of the window at the Monkton Premier Inn.

Next morning we set off early to Lochwinnoch, parking at Castle Semple and walking round to RSPB Lochwinnoch.

Goldeneye

Black-headed Gull with full black head…

..this ones not quite there yet…

…and this ones just a juvenile.

This is the resident Whooper Swan that stays all year round as it has a damaged wing.

Goosanders

A little bit of colour, my first Celandine of the year.

Calder Bridge

RSPB Lochwinnoch

Drake Smew!

Robin outside the visitor centre

Back at Castle Semple this Greylag was waiting to be fed..

..and this lot!

After lunch we headed towards the Clyde Muirshell visitor Centre, this was not to be as the road was blocked by a diversion so we headed for Locherwood instead.

We started off well with this sighting of a Kestrel

But the signposting got very dodgy!

Shame about the pylons!

The sun came out briefly, but then it started to pour. We followed signs for a hide and ended up in a bog and had to turn back. We never found the hide, the paths were awful and signposting needs some work!

Soaking wet and fed up we headed for our next Premier Inn at Greenock.

Now thats what I call a room with a view, boats just outside our window!

Next morning started quite bright so we were hopeful of a better day!

It started sunny and calm with good visibility so we headed around the coast to Gourock, where we had caught the ferry to Oban many, many years ago. The views were great so we headed for the Greenock Cut. Again our plans were thwarted by yet another blocked road and diversion, so we headed back to Greenock and the other way to the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre.

Up by Loch Thom the weather had started to turn in

Grey and pouring with rain

This is a great walk and should have stunning views but not today!

At the end of the Overton Track we reached the cut which used to supply water for Greenock. My new camera stayed in its dry bag underneath my waterproofs for the rest of the cut unfortunately.

This is at the end of the cut when the rain finally stopped so I had a chance to play about with exposures!

Ducks in a row

The Greenock Cut Visitor Centre

View back down towards the path along the cut

Still some day left so we headed to Clydeport

The sun across the water

Back at the Premier Inn we had another walk before our meal, this is the Inn with the Table Table restaurant next door

Just outside our room

Old tyres

Crane and apartments

Fishing boat coming in

Juv Gull

When the seagulls follow the fishing boat..or whatever Cantana said!

Hideous tower blocks

Old harbour

The next day we were heading back home but stopped on the way at Portencross.

Our first view of Portencross Castle

Looking towards Arran

Castle and Wee Cumbrae

Castle door

Wee Cumbrae

Rocks and jetty

this old jetty is a bit neglected

Seen better days

Its got a big hole in it!

Great Black-backed Gull

Castle and hamlet of Portencross

This spot is a haven for birds but sadly just around this corner is the Hunterston Power Station and they want to build another coal fired power station here!

SAY NO TO HUNTERSTON!

Footpath…

…to Hunterston

Millport on Great Cumbrae

Painted rock

Caslte sign

Learn more about Portencross Castle at http://www.portencrosscastle.org.uk/index.htm

Looks like the weather has brightened up again just as we are leaving!

..and finally we saw this funky chicken trying to get through the gates!

Penninghame Forest 25th February 2012

2012-04-08T21:19:00.001Z

A trip to Penninghame Pond and a walk in the forest.

Through the trees

Penninghame pond from the bridge

Large bolders in the trees

Reflections

Bat boxes in a large beech tree

Information board about Lamphreys

Bridge over the burn

Tumbling water

Path through the trees

Common Tamarisk-moss (Thuidium tamariscinum)

Great footpath sign

Castle Stewart

Old wall

Path blocked!

View towards the Galloway Hills

Crossbill

We had trouble finding this trig point as its hidden in the woods but thanks to Mikes GPS we found it eventually!

Flush bracket no S8288

Lichen

Lichen tree

Mossy trig

Evidence of Holly Leaf Gall Fly

A Dog Lichen Peltigera membranacea

More Crossbills

Angle Shades moth caterpillar

Day Trip to Belfast 23rd February 2012

2012-04-08T16:03:00.001Z

Armed with cheap, non landing tickets to Belfast and back, we headed for the new Stena port at Cairnryan, our first trip on the Superfast VIII having only been on the HSS from Stranraer before.

At least on the new ferry you can go out on deck properly as the old ferry only had a small area mainly for smokers.

Not many ventured outside but I don’t see the point in a boat trip without getting a breath of sea air!

Sun shining on the water

Although the dark skies were looming!

Looking back towards home on the N Rhins

Looking back towards Cainryan…

…and the new ferry port

Towards Knockdolian

Milleur Poit

S for Stena!

Flag

My first Bumblebee of the year, a Queen Buff Tail struggling to get a footing on the deck!

Ailsa Craig

Strange funnel, looks like we are fully armed!

Fishing boat in Belfast Lough

Colourful cottages N.I.

The old HSS looking a bit sad in Belfast Port

Harland and Wolff Shipyard.

I think we were the only passengers that didn’t disembark at Belfast, apart from the staff we had the ship to ourselves! This is the newsroom, with papers and magazines to read.

Free internet access, checked our websites looked ok! Son Mikes looked fine!

Raft of Eiders

Much rather be on a boat!

As we left Belfast the weather really started to turn in

guillimot

Dark skies

Looking back

The other ferry on its way to Belfast

Cargo ship

Looking out to sea-its in his veins

Heading into a storm

Gannet

Nearly home, getting dark now as we head past Corsewall lighthouse

Waiting in the bright lounge ready to go home.

A great day out, good food on board and a little bit of escapism, thanks Stena!

The Wig 5th February 2012

2012-03-25T08:31:00.003Z

A bit of a dull day so just a local walk

Pale-bellied Brent Geese

Grey Plover and Dunlins

Turnstone

Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor

Snowdrops

Water of Minnoch 28th January 2012

2012-03-23T21:34:00.001Z

A cold and icy day so a nice circular walk along the banks of the Water of Minnoch.

Snowy logs

Icicle

Ice patterns

Ice

Snow lined path

Icicles over the water

Frozen water droplets

Snowy Galloway Hills

Crossbills

More ice

Reflected rushes

Sparkling trees

Ancient woodland

Moss

Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum)

Mist

Metallic ice

Looking for merks in the kist

Moss covered wall

Stone stile

Sticta sylvatica

Icicles

Usnea subfloridana

New Cree Valley sign

Snow scene

Ice and snow

Walking the embankment

Dipper..

..and a bit closer

Don’t look round but I think we are being followed!

…by a whole flock!

Bird of prey kill

Sphaerophorus globosus

Tumbling water

Water of Minnoch

Moss covered tree

The swinging pool

The Roman Bridge

Swirling bubbles

Then on our way back home just as it was getting dark an amazing starling murmuration over Stranraer Harbour….

Auchinleck 21st January 2012

2012-03-07T20:37:00.001Z

The weather wasn’t great , a bit showery and very wet underfoot so decided on a walk on a decent forest track. We drove down the Risk Road from Minnigaff to Auchinleck Bridge to park.

As we started our walk the sun came out and lit up the Galloway Hills.

A clump of damp moss clinging to a tree.

Interesting lichen

Abandoned cottage

Scots Pines and sun drenched hills

Lichen

…and more

Plenty of water tumbling down the hills

The winding path ahead

Another waterfall

more lichen

A bit disconcerting!

Shells often used as hardcore here a waste product of the shellfish industry.