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The Big Fire
Just worth recognising the first anniversary of the “big fire” which I was involved in last year on a hill down by the Solway Coast. Over the course of twenty four hours, a thousand acres of heather went up in smoke as a routine back burning exercise got out of control. I doubt that I… Continue reading
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Scotland’s Big 5
It is interesting to see SNH’s push to celebrate Scotland’s “Big Five” in the name of “2013: Year of Natural Scotland”. The animals chosen to represent Scotland’s wildlife are red squirrels, grey seals, red deer, otters and golden eagles. It is difficult to see the purpose of the Year of Natural Scotland other than appealing… Continue reading
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The Long Walk
Now that the thaw is starting to set in, it seemed worthwhile to try and finally get up to the Chayne. After all, having been snowed into the house for two days and beginning to get a touch of cabin fever, the seven mile walk up to the farm and back suddenly had the appeal… Continue reading
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Further Downhill
Having posted yesterday about the snow, I have now to report that the situation has deteriorated quite dramatically. There has been no real snow for the past twelve hours, but the powder that we received yesterday has simply shuffled around into a more comfortable situation. The drifts are harder, taller and more angular than they… Continue reading
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The Drifters
The snow which was promised has arrived in full swing. We’ve had about a foot so far, but incessant winds have blown it all over the place so that it’s three or four feet deep at the backs of the dykes. Some of the corries up on the hill have filled with snow and vanished… Continue reading
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Fair Weather Friends
Just worth mentioning that although I heard the first curlew of the year six days ago, they all seem to have gone away again. There’s no doubt that this is a good move, since a fairly constant easterly wind over the past week has brought endless sleet, snow and slush. Tomorrow is forecast for heavy… Continue reading
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Working With Trees
The great half-truth of black grouse conservation is the way that birds use trees. Search for black grouse on google and it won’t be long before you find screeds of information about black grouse in woodland, complete with images of community initiatives which get people out onto the hills with bags of trees, as if… Continue reading
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Stoney Creek
I don’t normally write “reviews” of shooting related products. It either ends up sounding like you’re thanking someone for a freebie or tearing strips off someone because… well, because it’s always fun to write negative reviews. What I will say is that I bought a “stoney creek” long bush shirt last week – a garment… Continue reading
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Curlew’s Return
Two weeks later than last year, I heard the first curlew of 2013 at first light yesterday morning while trudging through waist high rushes with a stack of 2′ snare stakes on my back. They are normally on the Chayne within a few days of March 1st, but if they have been holding back in… Continue reading
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Hide and Seek
Another early morning trip out into the hills behind the house failed to show fruit in terms of blackcock. I could hear one (or possibly a couple) murmuring away, but I just couldn’t get a clear idea of where they were. I think that they might be in a little hollow, in which case there… Continue reading
About
“Shout on, Morgan. You’ll be nothing tomorrow”
Swn y galon fach yn torri, 1952
Also at: https://andtheyellowale.substack.com
Bog Myrtle & Peat 