Bog Myrtle & Peat

Must make quick mention of a visit to Langholm this morning to see the ever-expanding lek, which continues to go from strength to strength. There was pride, drama and the outright ecstasy of a visit from two greyhens which flew right into the arena and stirred the cocks into paroxysms of giddiness. I was joined on the trip by artist friend Colin Blanchard, several of whose blackcock prints hang on my wall, and we enjoyed the sunrise as the cocks laid on a spectacular feast of sound.

More on this to come, although it is also worth including this picture (below) of two cocks lekking on some nearby telegraph wires. The display called for pin-point balance, but both were too consumed with sexual excitement to sustain anything for very long. After some entertaining wobbles, they soon got tired of this high-wire performance and dropped down to the grass again.