The Big Freeze December 2009

Our lane, tractors getting through ok but hill at the end of the road treacherous!

A corner of our garden

Snow fields

From our garden

Kirsty's snowman

A hoody in the garden

Looking down our front path

Bloody farmers, lovely way to spoil the snow

Footsteps

Frosty moss

Frosty deer

Gorse

Easter Island heads in the frost

Icicles

Frost

The bad weather has brought in a lot of birds including Fieldfares, Redwings and Lapwings

Plenty of Whooper swans flying over

...and a Brambling in the garden!

Boats & Birds Loch Ryan 12th December 2009

Glenluce to St Helena 28th November 2009

A walk from Glenluce to St Helena Island, weather not great, plenty of birds about but not a great day for photography and bitterly cold.

Song thrush

Meadow Pipit

A distant Little Egret racing an Oystercatcher, there were actually 2 Little Egrets but we didnt get close enough for pictures

Robin high in the tree

Distant Dipper

Roe Deer

...and his mates

Jump!

A Bullfinch was spotted in the willow but didnt manage to get a clear view

Glenluce Abbey

The Abbey partly hidden by ugly farm buildings

Back home pink skies above neighbours farm, notice the corvids on the ground, they landed on our wires and caused a major power cut!

Blackcap and other November Garden Birds

Loch Ryan 15th November 2009

A walk down by Loch Ryan. the usual waders about, Oystercatchers, Turnstones, Curlews and quite a few Wigeon. On the shore we found a skull, I didnt take much notice of it until Pete drew my attention to it, it turned out to be that of a Harbour Porpoise, so quite a find!

Newly painted boat at the boat yard

Up the lane inland we saw Stonechats...

Reed Buntings (sorry about the rubbish photo!)

Meadow Pipit

Southern Upland Way from Castle Kennedy 7th November 2009

A bit of a dreary day and not good for photography, but a couple of Bird Atlas tetrads to do so parked at Castle Kennedy and headed for the Southern Upland Way.

Hundreds of geese in the field

Who you looking at?

View back towards Stranraer

Raining now, drips on farm gate.

Inkcaps by the path

The path comes out on a minor road and if you look carefully there is a cottage hidden in the undergrowth, looks like it was abandoned many years ago

Another ruin on top of the hill

Pink sheep

Charge!!Off the road onto a forest track

and then onto a small path

A windfarm in the distance

Lichens

Teal taking off from small loch

Fungi on a stump

Meadow Pipit

In the willow trees a flock of Reed Buntings

Back towards Stranraer

Tre growing out of the rock in a small quarry

Meadow Pipit

Reflections in a flooded field

A robin waiting for us back by the car.

Walk from Drummore to Maryport 31st October 2009

A lovely day so decided on a walk around Drummore and then follow the coast around to Maryport to see what we could see.

These wooden strutts at Drummore are quite interesting although I dont know what they are the remains of.

Colourful buoys...

...and lobster pots

Drummore from the harbour

More traditional lobster pots

Redshank

Lots of Redshank

Chattering Starlings on the wires

Cute Sparrow

The remains of HMS Pagham built for the Royal Navy in 1955 and now left to rot in Drummore harbour.

A sad end, this Ham class minesweeper was once used as a training vessel for the local sea cadets.

Curlew

Maryport

Ringed Plovers

and hundreds of Golden Plovers

Time to turn back as its looking a bit dark

Interesting bricks on the shore

Great Black Backed Gull

Ardwell Pond - Swan Studies 31st October 2009

Carrick Forest Drive & Lock Doon 18th October 2009

For our birthday treats Mike & I were asked where we would like to go for our day out and as we had always wanted to go to the Carrick Forest Drive & Loch Doon we decided to go there. As it is quite a long way being at the top of the Galloway Forest Park it wasnt worth going unless the forecast was good. Thankfully it was a lovely day with a frosty start, so we packed our picnic and photo gear and set off.

Our first stop was at the Stinchar falls

Frost!

Beautiful autumn light near the carpark

Lichen

Next stop was by the dam on Loch Bradan at the start of the Carrick Forest Drive

Dew laden cobwebs

Reflections in the loch

On the dam, a pellet, not sure what was responsible

Calm waters of Loch Bradan

Berries on the dam

We then moved on further round Loch Bradan. Bullfinches, Redwings & Fieldfares were feasting on the rowan berries.

Loch Bradan

Autumn larch

Back to the car

Overlooking Loch Riecawr

Not sure this is the idea of an adventure playground!

This must be the best location ever for an adventure playground and so nicely done...

...and a picnic site too!

Moving on and we managed to find the Black Grouse viewing area, no grouse today but a stunning place

..and very informative

A brief stop by a burn to take a photo of the autumn colours

Finally we reach Loch Doon...

...and wow what a beautiful place!

What a great way to see the loch on such a calm day!

Moving on around the loch to Loch Doon Castle

The castle once stood on an island in the loch but was rebuilt on the edge.

Theres always one!

Managed to get a few shots of the castle, however some selfish idiot was camping within the walls, making looking round and photography difficult

We had hoped that the tearooms and toilets would be open but alas they werent. Good job we had our own supplies and this is when a Shee-Wee comes in handy!

Starting to cloud over but reflections still good

There he is again, my little gnome...

...still trying to get a better shot than me!

Off in the direction of Dalmellington, this appears to be a mini aquaduct

Stone bridge

Under the bridge

By the dam at the top end of Loch Doon

Enormous pipes over the river

A truly amazing day out and one of the best in 2009!

Loch Ryan Coastal Path Part 2 - 10th October 2009

Following on from the walk we did earlier in the year, we decided to do another part of the Loch Ryan Coastal Path, this time the stretch form Stranraer to Cairnryan and back. We parked at Balyett rather than in the town and headed off towards Cairnryan. The first part runs along the shoreline and then alongside the A75, this is the worst stretch if the road is busy although there is a pavement.

The path then soon heads up a farm track where it is easier to both see and hear the wildlife.

The cows came to say hello!

A large pile of bales made an interesting abstract shot

Rabbits scattered into the hedgerow

Over the hill and then back towards the shoreline, you can now see Cairnryan in the distance

Down near Leffnoll Point we saw Stonechats...

...and reed warblers

Plenty of Oystercatchers about

Looks like the signs have been used for target practice!

The P&O Ferry heading out of the ferry port on its way to Larne

Interesting boards along the way tell about Loch Ryans role in the second world war, this area was used to store hundreds of railway wagons.

Mike taking some record shots

Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter-no help needed here yet!

Mike getting his feet wet!

Loch Ryan is now an important area for Eider Ducks

The Stena HSS ferry coming in from Belfast to Stranraer.

Lapwings overhead

Near to the ferry port at Cairnryan there were large numbers of Curlew

At last Cairnryan!

Time to turn around and head back

Looks like the Triffids got poor dolly!

Charred wood on the shore

We watched a curious item sailing in-turned aout to be a sandwich container!

Great Black Backed Gull

Patterns in the water

Oops we have disturbed the Oystercatchers-can you spot the leucistic one amongst them?

Light reflecting on the water

Footpath abusers!

Towards Leffnoll Point

A great place for waders and other birds this area aught to be made into a reserve

Mike making sure the gate is closed

Those bales again!

Old wartime remains

A raft of Wigeon

More Oystercatchers

A Turnstone feeding on the shoreline back near the car.
We did about 7 1/2 miles but a great walk, next time we will do the section between Cairnryan and the section we did last time from Glennap.

Wigtown Book Festival 2009

Wigtown Annual Book festival started with the Police Pipe Band and a fireworks display, I think I may need some more practice with nightime photography!

We visited the festival again in the daytime the following week no tickets for events so we just had a browse.

Street entertainment

It was cold and windy with heavy showers so we found ourselves a free show-The Wigtown Mouse and the Sorbie Mouse

Lunchtime and we retreated to the quiet of the harbour

Great views towards the Galloway Hills.

Early Autumn in the garden

Strange sunrise

Hare just outside the bedroom window

Slug struggling to get across the patio

Large green frog

Sparrowhawk by the front gate

Yet another vole in the trap

Yes you're free-run for it!

Fungi just in the woods

Doors Open Days Dumfries & Galloway 27th September 2009

The second day of Doors Open in Dumfries and Galloway. Our next stop was the recently restored Kirkdale Sawmill, probably the only operational water powered sawmill left in Scotland. It dates from the early 1800's

The working water wheel

Carving outside

Old farm machinery

Shaggy inkcap beside path

The mill lade

A nature trail leads to the mill pond and there are sculptures along the way

We disturbed a heron by the pond although I wasnt quick enough to get a photo!

Inside the sawmill

Just up the road from the sawmill is Cairn Holy, chambered cairns, well worth a visit especially when the weather is good as there are some great views.

Two remarkably complete Neolithic burial cairns, of a type characteristic of Galloway.

Doors Open Days Dumfries & Galloway 26th September 2009

On one weekend a year selected historic buildings in Scotland are open to the public free of charge. Some of these buildings are open to the public anyway, whilst others are rarely open and this is a good chance to see them. We challenged ourselves to view as many of these within easy reach, as we could in one weekend.We started at the far South West of Scotland with the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse dating back to 1828 & the newly opened Lighthouse Exhibition.

Inside the exhibition were displays and lots of dials, pistons etc

Next we climbed the lighthouse and what brilliant views!

The RSPB Visitor Centre viewed from the lighthouse.

The foghorn

Looking north with the car park in the distance

The turf covered Gallie Craig Tea Rooms are well hidden

Sunlight on the water

Great fun for kids!

From inside the lighthouse

The lighthouse tower is 26 metres tall. By the time we came out it was a beautiful day

We all got a certificate to say we had climbed the 115 steps to the top, my poor little legs!

The topograph and lighthouse

RSPB visitor centre, well worth a visit(closed in winter), come and chat to Paul and enjoy the Audio Visual presentation free of charge and the rest of this small but beautiful reserve.

View north towards the South Rhins from the reserve. A great place for wildlife with puffins and many other seabirds and heathland birds such as stonechats.

The Gallie Craig, the foods great and the view is spectacular!

Our next port of call was the Kirk Covenant or Old Parish Church of Kirkmaiden dating back o 1668. there cant be many churches in such a spectacular location.

A very simple church in a stunning location and well worth a visit on a lovely clear day.

Next stop Portpatrick and the RNLB Mary Irene Millar was on view

A longer drive next to The Machars and Monreith House. Built in 1798 and a fine Scottish Lairds House owned by the Maxwells of Monreith.

More recently the House was home to the acclaimed author Gavin Maxwell writer of 'Ring of Bright Water' amongst others.

These bagpipes belonged to Gavin Maxwell and we were told an interesting story about them being stolen and then recoved by the current Maxwell of the house.

The dining room

The front door, thats one hell of a doorbell (on the left)

The back of the house

An interesting house and still very much a family home.

Next stop Creetown and we stopped in Adamson Square to admire the beautiful granite globe sculpted by the renowned Japanese sculptor Hideo Furuta and one of his last pieces made before his death in 2007. Hideo made his home in Dumfries and Galloway where he lived and worked in a nearby quarry.

The globe, made in quarters stands near to the refurbished clock tower and links Creetowns involvement with granite and the sea.

The beautiful carved door of the clock tower.

The Stables Creetown was our next destination. A grade B listed steading converted from a ruin in the last 25 years. Featured in Green Building Magazine the renovation includes many sustainable and green features including solar water heating and sheeps wool insulation. Very much a modest, private home with character.

Skull in the garden

A colourful corner

Not on the Open Doors list but worth a visit nearby is Kirkmabreck church high on the hill above Creetown

The Creetown Heritage Museum was also on the list, unfortunately it was too late in the day to visit so will have to do that another day. End of day one of Open Doors!

Wigtown Bay & Kilsture Forest 19th September 2009

Not a great day weatherwise so headed for Wigtown Harbour, we thought that if it rained we could retreat to the bird hide!

On the way we stopped off at the Moss of Cree to see what was about...

...we didnt see a single bird, but the information boards are very informative...

...and I am sure it is a great habitat for all kinds of wildlife.

Down at Wigtown Harbour the path was flooded by the high tide so we were unable to reach the hide.

The views were great though accross to the Galloway Hills

A Mute Swan & cygnets

Dark clouds were looming over Wigtown but we decided on a walk along the river towards Bladnoch anyway.

A ladybird on one of the stiles.

Plenty of berries about for the birds

I wonder how long this tree has been lying here, probably washed onto the bank by flood water.

Looks like some strange creature!

Reeds washed up by floods.

Danger of death, cast with care!

The weather took a turn for the worse so we headed back towards Wigtown along the old railway line.

This would have been a great circular walk but the paths are poorly marked and the stiles not maintained.

I have never seen the tide so high here, it was a shame to see an old fridge floating in the harbour nature reserve.

I climbed the bank to look over into the pond area as the hide was still cut off. A lone Whooper swan amonst the ducks.

We then headed down towards Garlieston, deciding that a walk in the Kilsture Forest would be more sheltered.

Lots of fungi about

Quite a mixed woodland with a long and a short walk, as usual we decided on the long!

Would recommend as a nice woodland walk especially in Spring and Autumn.

Loch Trool Circular Walk, Glentrool, 12th September 2009

Although we have visited Loch Trool many times, we had never actually done the Loch Trool circular walk. It was a lovely September day so we got up early and decided to make a day of it.

We parked in the small car park at the Southern end of the lock and crossed the bridge to join the path.
Our first sightings were butterflies, first a peacock...

...and then a Painted Lady

Beautifull bright red berries beside the path.

This part of the walk goes through what was once the Caldoons Campsite, I remember it being very popular back in 70s/80s.

Not very good picture but managed to spot a Black Darter, I have not seen one before.

We then walked through part of a coniferous woods, by a burn and noticed that the cobwebs were shimmering in the morning sunlight, looking like cd's hanging in the trees.

The walk eventually leads down to the loch side, where almost walked into this spider, with its web draped between trees.

The reflections in the loch were beautiful...

I took this photo of the map and realised later that the view on the front, I think was where I took the photo!

We had recently had a lot of rain so the burns and waterfalls were flowing well.

My little gnome, always sat on a rock somewhere, usually trying to get a better shot than me!

This Forestry Commission property was one of five that the FC asked for ideas. You had to submit your business ideas for the oportunity to run your business from one of these beautiful locations. Not much appears to be happening from here yet. It would be the ideal location for a Nature Field Study Centre.

Still boarded up, I just hope it is brought back to life soon.

Not far from the property at the north end of the loch are these beautiful waterfalls

This ancient oak woods is managed by the Cree Valley Woodlands Trust

From Bruces Stone

Plaque to mark the Battle of Trool in 1307...

..and another to show a more peaceful side.

The path follows the road for a short while bfore turning into a coniferous woods

Nearing the end of our walk now and looking back up the loch.

One of the highlights of the walk was the variety of fungi seen...

..here are just a few...

...and a few more

A brilliant walk, recently mentioned in one of the National newspapers as one of the best and I would agree!

Early September Dampness in the Garden

Gloomy Day in Dunure - 5th September 2009

A gloomy day, we had spent the morning sopping in Ayr whilst Mike & Kirsty went to the SAC. We decided even though it was a bit dull and cold that we needed a walk so stopped at Dunure harbour on the way home.

Weathered stone on harbour tower.

Pretty little harbour with little boats to match.

Ropes & chains

Rocks and view towards Ailsa Craig

View back towards harbour from near castle.

Dunure Castle ruins

Labyrinth in its setting

Stormy skies over castle

Labyrinth made of rocks

Labyrinth and castle

Pagan archway made of rowan and crab apples

Old harbour photos on information board

Lobster pots

An Evening in Portpatrick - 4th September 2009

Son Mike was going to Portpatrick to take photos of the Portpatrick Folk Festival, so we decided to tag along to see what was happening outside.

The festival is opened by a lone piper out on the rock overlooking the harbour.

We watched the young piper do a grand job in the cold wind, with his proud family looking on.

The Saltire was flying well above him

Yacht coming into the harbour

..and this one left it too late and got stranded!

Gypsy caravan used as the folk festival box office.

Strange folk about!

Dark skies about the Portpatrick Hotel up on the cliffs.

Sun setting on the water.

Waves crashing onto the rocks.

Patterns in the sand

Portpatrick Lighthouse

Banners for The Belhaven Portpatrick Folk Festival

Evening light on the lighthouse with stranded yacht.

Golden light and dark skies.

Rainbow over the village

The Box Office

Rainbow and that yavht is still stranded!

The rock

Harbour boats

It did eventually break free as the tide came in again.

Lights begnning to reflect on the water

The grandest hotel in the area

Getting dark

Plenty going on in the pubs

Time to go home as getting pretty cold and dark

Galloway Wood Festival, Kirroughtree, 30th August 2009

On 30th August I volunteered (for my sins) to man the West Galloway SOC (Scottish Ornithological Club) at the Galloway Wood Festival at Kirroughtree, Dumfries & Galloway organised by the Forestry Commission. The weather deteriorated throughout the day to the extent that some of the sight was flooded. A few hardy souls were still determined to have a good day out clad in macs and wellies and it was good to chat to people, especially the children, about the wildlife in their gardens. The company was good in our marquee with the rest of the wildlife and conservation groups, including the Cree Valley Woodland Trust, Dumfries & Galloway Environmental Resource Centre, Solway Firth Partnership, the Bat Conservation Trust and the SAC. It should have been a good photoshoot but unfortunately the weather spoilt things a bit. I did however, manage a few shots....

Kirsty helping out with the "Match the Feathers" Game

My "contents of 2 owl pellets" display