Expedition Ardnamurchan

Currently I'm away on expedition on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, four of us BA(hons) Wildlife and Media students will be experiencing the true wonders of the wild for the next two weeks. We're aiming to update this blog everyday for at least this week, whilst we are staying in Glenmore Cottage, we hope you enjoy it :)

East Pool

Went along to the pond for a break from writing up a documentary proposal this afternoon, started off at the members hide. On the pond there was 12 Tufted Duck, a pair of Pochard, 5 male and 3 female Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese (one on nest), 1 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swans (one on nest), 5 Mallard, 8 Coot, 2 Moorhen, and a fly by of a single Redshank. A couple of Chiff Chaff could be heard singing in the North Wood, along with a few Finches and Reed Bunting in the feeding station.

At the minute the East Pool has a substantial amount of water in it, attracting quite a bit of bird life, today there was 1 Little Grebe, 2 Coot, 4 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Mute Swan, Lapwing and a single Drake Shoveler, who was getting some stick from the Coot pair.

A further wander down to the Obelisk produced 2 pair of Grey Partridge and the same of Red-legged , as well as 2 Swallows.

Guided Birdwatch at Holywell Pond

Saturday 7th May, 0930:00- 12:00
Visit Holywell Pond for a guided bird watching session. Find out more about the Pond and its feathered inhabitants.
If you would like to attend please contact Northumberland Wildlife Trust on (0191) 2846884 or via email at mail@nwt.org.uk


From the Holywell Wardens

This evening...

I'm pleased to find the Blue Tits have taken up residents in the camera box again, with the male voicing its presents from the roof tonight.

Then it was down to Holywell,  nice warm night, with the pleasure of a nice sunset and a visit from the Barn Owl.

At the pond...

Had a text from BD and PA (Crammy Birder) giving me the heads up on an Egret. Luckily I was already on my way, on arrival I met BD heading to members hide, unfortunately it couldn't be seen at its chosen resting position, although viewable from the Public hide, so I headed down. Distant views of this Little Egret were all I had for a good 20 mins, then I headed off for the wagonway, just as I got around the corner it dropped into the scrape at the Public Hide, but didn't stay long, this is all I managed as it flew off East.

Along with Willow Warbler and Swallow, Holywell is starting to feel just a little bit more summery.