Bog Myrtle & Peat

I fall in love with wheatears every spring, and yet as summer progresses they become so commonplace that my eye is led elsewhere and the fascinating little migrants fall out of focus. At this time of year, they are at a peak of industry and enthusiasm, and they offer so much more to the quiet… Continue reading

A good hot day in Galloway has brought on the spring in a sudden rush. Having just stepped indoors after a day on the hill, it’s worth reporting an extraordinary influx of wheatears, the first few willow warblers of the season and a phenomenal glimpse of a female ring ousel. This is the first ring ousel I’ve… Continue reading

Kestrels are returning. I’ve noticed two birds over the past fortnight, and after eighteen months of scarcity, their appearance has been a pleasant reminder that the species exists. We had a phenomenal bonanza of kestrels on the hill in 2014, and I once counted fourteen birds along a single two mile stretch of hill road towards… Continue reading

One of many reasons why this blog has been quiet recently is that a good part of my time has been spent trying to expand my farming project. I only have six heifers, but I’ve found the experience so rewarding and provocative over the course of the past eighteen months that I’m keen to see what… Continue reading

It was extremely satisfying to spend some time with the cattle this morning under beautiful blue skies and the ringing cheer of birdsong. Usually I just rush up, spread their hay and check that all is well before dashing back to work again, so it was nice to share the field with them for a few… Continue reading

I made an early start this morning in an effort to reconnoiter the black grouse situation after last night’s exciting discoveries on the moss. I paused the car several times along the hill road, expectantly hoping to hear that joyous wobbling note through the semi-darkness, but the ground was cold and even the curlews had wound… Continue reading

Things have been so busy for the last few days that I’ve had almost no time to spend on the hill. This has hardly been a hardship as grey curtains of rain lash against the windows and spring shifts into reverse, but it was a real joy to head up this evening to finish planting… Continue reading

Coming off the hill after an unsuccessful stalk yesterday, I was pleased to see a determined little stonechat doing his best to put on a show for his partner. I sat and watched him for fifteen minutes as he launched himself up into the air in a series of miniature display flights, hanging in the… Continue reading

This blog has lapsed over the past few weeks as events have begun to get away from me. I will try and catch up if time permits, but it may be that as we enter April and things really start to get going, all kinds of observations will go unpublished. As an indication of all that… Continue reading

After a three year absence, we suddenly have lapwings. I spent an hour watching two birds courting on the hill this afternoon beneath rushing windows of clear blue sunlight, marvelling at some breathtaking displays. Shrill, determined little voices carried through the breeze in snatches between the drowsy trill of larks, and spring felt possible. It’s been… Continue reading