December Snow North Rhins

Well the snow arrived later than elsewhere on The Rhins but it finally arrived on 18th December. The view from our front window.

Long Tailed Tit on one of our feeders

Treecreeper

Mouse track

Hare prints

Snow caught in a fennel umbel

Over our fence

Frozen wasteland

Our orchard

Snowy front gate

Snowed in

Our road one way...

...and the other

The frozen burn

and the woods

Mikes car

and Petes

Now its been gritted, didnt do much as so cold and not much traffic

Our back garden

The snow was very powdery to start with but Pete finally managed to make a snowman on Boxing Day!

Stranraer Community Woodland 27th November 2010

Another BTO Atlas Survey and a chance to visit the new Stranraer Community Woodland up on Gallow Hill. Not many trees yet but lots have been planted and there is lots planned such as a wildlife pond. The view of Loch Ryan and Stranraer from the carpark is stunning.

A friendly Robin followed us for a while

Frozen grass

Lots of new paths have already been laid out

Starlings gathered on the wires

We also saw Yellowhammers, Redpolls and lots of Reed Buntings

We then went down to Stranraer harbour where the boats looked very colourful in the morning light.

Oystercatchers, Wigeon and lots of Pale Bellied Brent Geese about

Cairn Pat and Portpatrick 20th November 2010

Another BTO Bird Atlas TTV to Cairn Pat, somewhere we had been meaning to go for some time. A bright frosty morning and the ground was pretty frozen.

Cairn Pat Trig point

Mike looking out towards Loch Ryan

Pete pointing towards Stanraer

Being the highest point on The Rhins, Cairn Pat has a mast

This Song Thrush posed for several shots

After our walk we had our lunch overlooking Portpatrick Harbour

A busy place in summer but pretty quiet in winter, just how I like it!

Knockquhassen Reservoir 13th November 2010

A cold bright dys so decided to do a BTO Bird Atlas TTV.

Lots of Yellowhammers about, but only managed this distant shot.

Nice green postbox outside someones house

Not much life on Knockquhassen Reservoir just some Mallards.

Reflected bouy

The lifebelt was on the ground so Pete picked it up and couldnt resist a spot of gurning!

Plenty of Reeed Buntings about too!

Soulseat Loch 6th November 2010

A short visit to Soulseat Loch to see what birds were about. As well as those photographed we saw lots of ducks, treecreeper, goldcrest and the usual.

Juvenile Mute Swans.

A Whooper Swan

Algae

100's of Greylag Geese

This swan decided to follow us

Cute Shetland Pony