Nature I've Seen

Horntail and Burnet Moths

2008-07-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

Whilst out walking in the woods around Drymen on Sunday we saw two pretty unusual things. First of all we saw the scariest looking insect I think I've ever clapped eyes on. It was about 2 inches long and was yellow and black. My only guess at the time was that it could be a hornet. However it turns out to be a horntail which is a type of sawfly and also completely harmless.

A while later we saw some type of Burnet moth. I'm not sure what type but we think it was either the 5 or 6 spot variety. Although I have seen two types of Burnet moth up on the island of Canna in the Inner Hebridies I have never seen any others.

Blue Tits and Great Tits Nesting

2008-05-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

Outside my boyfriend's window, there is a lamp post with a hole in it to allow the wires to got into it. Every year there are either blue tits or great tits nesting in the hole. However this year has been a little odd.

I was looking out the window the other day to see a great tit go into the hole and back out. Then a blue tit went in and came back out with a faecal sack.

Is this a pair or blue tits and a pair of great tits nesting in the same lamp post or is it one of each feeding the same chicks? Anyway, whatever it is, it's very strange indeed.

Owls in Dumbarton

2008-04-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

OK, so it's not exactly "nature I've seen" but right now I'm hearing an owl outside. I remember hearing it about a year ago and wondering if I was just imagining it but I'm positive that it's an owl. I'ts been making lot of "tiwit tiwoo" sounds. I know that Dumbarton isn't quite out in the countryside but there are a lot of trees about and some fields along the road so I suppose an owl isn't out of the question.

Kestrel at Loch Ardinning

2008-03-04T04:09:00.001-08:00

We went to Loch Ardinning on Saturday and we were really kicking ourselves for not taking the camera. It was a beautiful sunny day and we saw a Kestrel hovering over some grass very close to us. We would have been able to take the most amazing photo. It seems the Kestrels aren't too bothered about humans there as they must be used to people plus the also nest at the farm.

Herons Nesting in Levengrove Park, Dumbarton

2008-02-21T02:14:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when the Herons start nesting in the two big trees next to the formal gardens of Levengrove Park in Dumbarton. I can't see the nest very well because it's right at the top of the tree but each time go down that way I see at least one Heron flying off.

I find it funny how they can be so peaceful and quiet creatures but when it comes to nesting they can be really noisy buggers.

Cormerants on Forth and Clyde Canal plus River Kelvin

2008-01-28T13:05:00.000-08:00

A lot of people have this idea that you need to travel miles into the wilderness to be able to get good sightings of wildlife. The truth is that you don't even have to leave the city. Actually I think there's more wildlife in the cities because they can raid bins, get fed by humans and are so used to humans they don't give a bugger.

I watched a couple of Cormorants in the canal on Saturday. One was swimming about whilst the other was drying off its wings. Joggers would go past yet the birds weren't phased in the slightest. We also saw a number of Cormorants on the Kelvin where we often see them.

Sparrow Hawk In Garden

2008-01-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

I was looking out into my garden this morning. I love to look out at the trees, the river and the hills beyond. Just out of the corner of my eye I spotted a quick movement. Looked down and saw what I think is a Sparrow Hawk disappearing into the bushes.

I can't be sure that's what I saw but it was certainly smaller than a Buzzard and the fact it was flying into the bushes is typical Sparrow Hawk activity.

Also, in Levengrove Park there's been a dead Sparrow Hawk lying there at the base of a tree since before Christmas. I don't know why no-one has moved it. Anyway, they are certainly in the area.