Living here in Caithness, I have learnt more about the seasons and what to expect in wildlife than I did while was in the Ballindalloch area. Maybe it is because I am older, no not wiser, and taking the dogs out every morning for their walk. Well Belle, our Cocker, does not so much walk as drags me along. As with all cocker's, life is so exciting and interesting. Each new step brings a new smell that just has to be followed. Louie, our Black Lab, is only interested in his ball and when can he play, with me with it. Given up buying Louie new footballs, they now get puncher in a couple of day with Belle's help. He look a sad sight carrying his totally deflated ball in his mouth but not in his eyes, Louie is in heaven.
You can tell the seasons mainly by the birds as they come and go. Early spring I think is the best time. You see the arrival of the Curlews, Lapwings & Oyster Catchers. In the skies you see the departing Geese, mainly Red Foot & Greyling's. During the winter a large number living in the field behind the house. During the winter the local keeper counted 13 different species of wintering birds in that field. The Curlews start nesting in the field in front of us and the Lapwings use the vacated rear field. Where the Curlews nest is not the best of place,s as that is where the new lambs are put. We often watch from the windows, the Curlews having stand off's with the lambs or the mothers as they go near to the nest. Both birds are ground nesting. It is funny to watch the small birds flapping their wings and even pecking the sheep & lambs to get them to move, with the animals bemused as to why. These birds do not only have the problems of the lambs & sheep accidentally tramping on their nest but they have the gulls, Fulmars, and a host of different sea birds swooping down trying to get the eggs or young birds. We live very near to cliffs where thousands of sea birds nest, all along the east coast up to Duncansby Head, along to Dunnet head. Also at this time if to go to these coastal cliffs who can also see Puffin's, Razorbills to name only 2. The area at this time is alive with nesting bird life.
I love taking the dogs out during this time as you hear the warning call of the Curlews as you walk near by, trying to entice you away from the nests. Of course at this time I am not going into fields, just walking along the road out side the house but that is close enough for them. On the other side of the road you see the Lapwings doing aerial aerobatics & crying out. They are superb at flying, diving, turning at sharp angles, trying to fend off other birds. They remind me of second world two pilots in a dog flight. Usually the morning is full of the sound of these two sets of birds. Such good company for me but ignored by the dogs, they have more important things on their minds.
You also see for a short time the raptures, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, the odd Falcon. They are then too busy nesting and so we don't see too much. when summer comes they reappear. For the past 2 summers we have had a pair of buzzards sat on the fence outside the house for what seems hours on end. As spring progresses the Lapwings & Curlews get fewer and the House Martins & Swallows return.
These birds have all gone now and we are seeing the return of the Geese. Big flocks are flying overhead and have been for the past couple of weeks. I am sure this is early. What does the early return mean, a early & harsh winter? The poor farmers are having such a hard time, crops still in the field and no sign of a let up on the rain. No more than 2 days at a time of no rain for the past month or more. Those 2 days also tend to be grey days with a wetness in the air. Will the crops be able to brought in? Last year along this road a number of fields were not harvested.
Caithness has such a rich array of wildlife. I have not mentioned watching the otters from out lounge window or going to the sea to look at the seal cubs on the shore in early winter or the whales, dolphins etc going past in the summer months.
You can tell the seasons mainly by the birds as they come and go. Early spring I think is the best time. You see the arrival of the Curlews, Lapwings & Oyster Catchers. In the skies you see the departing Geese, mainly Red Foot & Greyling's. During the winter a large number living in the field behind the house. During the winter the local keeper counted 13 different species of wintering birds in that field. The Curlews start nesting in the field in front of us and the Lapwings use the vacated rear field. Where the Curlews nest is not the best of place,s as that is where the new lambs are put. We often watch from the windows, the Curlews having stand off's with the lambs or the mothers as they go near to the nest. Both birds are ground nesting. It is funny to watch the small birds flapping their wings and even pecking the sheep & lambs to get them to move, with the animals bemused as to why. These birds do not only have the problems of the lambs & sheep accidentally tramping on their nest but they have the gulls, Fulmars, and a host of different sea birds swooping down trying to get the eggs or young birds. We live very near to cliffs where thousands of sea birds nest, all along the east coast up to Duncansby Head, along to Dunnet head. Also at this time if to go to these coastal cliffs who can also see Puffin's, Razorbills to name only 2. The area at this time is alive with nesting bird life.
I love taking the dogs out during this time as you hear the warning call of the Curlews as you walk near by, trying to entice you away from the nests. Of course at this time I am not going into fields, just walking along the road out side the house but that is close enough for them. On the other side of the road you see the Lapwings doing aerial aerobatics & crying out. They are superb at flying, diving, turning at sharp angles, trying to fend off other birds. They remind me of second world two pilots in a dog flight. Usually the morning is full of the sound of these two sets of birds. Such good company for me but ignored by the dogs, they have more important things on their minds.
You also see for a short time the raptures, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, the odd Falcon. They are then too busy nesting and so we don't see too much. when summer comes they reappear. For the past 2 summers we have had a pair of buzzards sat on the fence outside the house for what seems hours on end. As spring progresses the Lapwings & Curlews get fewer and the House Martins & Swallows return.
These birds have all gone now and we are seeing the return of the Geese. Big flocks are flying overhead and have been for the past couple of weeks. I am sure this is early. What does the early return mean, a early & harsh winter? The poor farmers are having such a hard time, crops still in the field and no sign of a let up on the rain. No more than 2 days at a time of no rain for the past month or more. Those 2 days also tend to be grey days with a wetness in the air. Will the crops be able to brought in? Last year along this road a number of fields were not harvested.
Caithness has such a rich array of wildlife. I have not mentioned watching the otters from out lounge window or going to the sea to look at the seal cubs on the shore in early winter or the whales, dolphins etc going past in the summer months.
Nice one Gerry. Sounds idyllic. I look forward to the next installment. Keep up the good work. :-)
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