The weather today was pleasant and warm especially when the sun managed to break through the clouds, (which it did on a regular basis), the wind was light and with these promising conditions I set off for Lochorodale, a place I have passed countless times but never actually paid a visit to. On the road down I counted 139 Meadow pipits feeding in a field adjacent to Homeston farm, Meadow pipits were in evidence throughout day as groups of birds were moving all the time and seemed to be either visi
ble or audible from what ever point I stopped at. The road to Lochorodale is a good quality forestry road and was lined on both sides with young Sitka spruce that were sporting huge pine cones. At the end of the road I came to a fairly large white house and could see the loch in the background, I met the Danish gentleman who owns the land and he gave me permission to look around when ever I wanted and told me the recent history of the loch. This is hill and forestry habitat along with the loch itself which is fairly small and quite new having only been allowed to reform about 20 years ago after being drained for sometime. The landowner states that the loch is pretty barren as far as birds are concerned with the occasional Mallard and a few Teal in the autumn.There is a substantial corner of the loch at the north end that is heavily reeded mostly with reed mace and bulrush. While I was here the landowners prediction seemed to be correct with only two mallard on the loch, however I did see a stunning male Common Darter and the first in what turned out to be a good day for Dragonflies. Was also amazed at the numbers of Bumblebees that were evident obviously making the most of last warm days of the year.
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While heading back to the car I was aware of good numbers of Goldcrest calling from the conifers along with Coal and Great Tit. Chaffinches were also abundant particularly in the vicinity of the grain feeders that were place near the house, for wild pheasant apparently. Several Wrens were also calling and the watery song of the Robin was also heard from many song posts. Robins were also evident all day and obviously some sort of fall had ta
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