More lockdown adventures. A quiet week last week as I had my head in my books for my Astronomy exam this week. So no playing out until Thursday & I'll include them in this week. Thursday was an excellent nature walk - south side of Kelvin to Balmuildy Bridge, cross to N side & then in the scrub N of the river we found an Early Marsh Orchid. Along the river & by the 'transceiver field' to Millichen Farm, by Antonine Wall to Douglas Park Golf Club, across it to Prescott Bridge & up to Dougalston Golf Course & Lady Loch where we watched our pair of Little Grebes & chick now diving (rather clumsily) & feeding itself. We then found a second pair of Little Grebes at the east end of the loch. Friday was the usual run by Blairskaith Quarry but I saw a Common Spotted Orchid in the verge near the Linn. Saturday, just a run along the Allander to Prescott Bridge but I spotted a Red Admiral & a Willow Warbler. Also a Yellowhammer bathing in the Allander River (I wouldn't go in there if I were you little friend).
On Sunday, for the first time we took advantage of our exactly 5 mile radius & drove to Blanefield to do Dumgoyne, Earl's Seat, Slackdhu. Our longest walk in nearly 3 months, & our first real view of the mountains from Ben Lui (still some snow) to Stuc a'Chroin, also Arran, Ailsa Craig, Tinto & the Pentlands. Some hill flora too - thyme, butterwort, heath bedstraw. Then coming down Slackdhu, near the landslide, a pair of peregrines. Tuesday, after exam, a walk east on S side Kelvin to Cadder golf course & Balmore - now much more lush than 3 months ago. Thursday evening, a walk to the trig point with M & Petra & bivi. Nice sunset & a few midges & back home before 7am.
Area :
Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
