Bog Myrtle & Peat

The snow has outstayed its welcome. It has been lying on the Chayne for almost three weeks, and successive waves of thawing and freezing have meant that the last two miles of farm track are now utterly impassible to even the most determined 4×4. Taking an executive decision yesterday, I walked in and sprung all my traps because I can’t be sure that I can continue to check them every 24 hours.

The Galloway cows eyed me passively as I wandered through the snow, which is nowhere more than a few inches deep. As soon as the sunlight catches it though, you can see why it has become a serious problem. The snow shines like a mirror, frozen into a massive ice rink. Nothing leaves tracks any more because not even the heaviest and most obscene fox can break through the solid crust.

From what I hear, the BASC have endorsed a compulsory ban on shooting wild birds which will come into effect at midnight tonight. The woodcock I flushed on the long walk back off the Chayne will have a few days of respite while shooting and this area of Dumfries and Galloway slips into temporary hibernation.