Another week of lockdown. Great walk on Sunday 26th, linking together areas by routes we hadn't suspected & getting quite different views. Upstream on the Allander walkway (red campion in flower) across Douglas golf course & up to cemetery and looking for remains of Antonine Wall. Followed line of wall west over Boclair Road & to West Millichen (first Wheatear of the spring). Then to Balmore Road & Balmuildy Bridge & a little exploration of entry to N side of River Kelvin (gives options for another time). Home along S side of Kelvin (Pink Purslane in flower) - the Teal pond now much reduced in size with only Black Headed Gulls, a pair of Mallard & 8+ ducklings, Pied Wagtails and a Lapwing. No Goosanders seen. Monday ran the Blairskaith quarry loop in 44 min 1.5s, Goldfinches some collecting nest materials. Wednesday - an expedition to pluck a few leaves of Pink Purslane as I had read they are 'Siberian Miners' Lettuce', taste of beetroot & are a substitute for spinach. Result - they don't taste of much but are not unpleasant. Many more Pink Purslane on the bank of the Allander SE of Dobbies. Also Red Campion & lots of Cuckoo Flower. 2 female goosander on the Kelvin near the confluence of the Allander. On Friday a female Goosander 'growled' at us, while the male was diving. Nearby Greylags caused no offence. Also Bullfinches, Orange Tip Butterfly, Greater Stitchwort(?) Our Rowan and Oak both coming into leaf.
Area :
Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
