Sunday 7 March 2010

Kinnoull Hill, Perth

Kinnoull Hill is always one of the highlights of a trip to Perth. The hill sits behind the city and currently is still covered in snow (though the paths were mostly clear). We had a wonderful walk over the hill on Friday. We had excellent views of buzzards, including one that flew very close to us before settling in a nearby tree. We also had an excellent view of a peregrine falcon, which though not common is a bird that is often seen around this hill. Plus two very good views of great spotted woodpeckers, though neither of them were drumming. Lots of smaller birds too, including bullfinches that we continued to see in good numbers all around Perth, a reassuring sign as bullfinches had been in decline but are starting to do better, they're such lovely little birds too. Oh and were those skylarks singing over the field at the bottom of the hill? Definitely Spring in the air, the birds are pairing up, most noticeably the jackdaws in the photo below (click to see in more detail!).

9 comments:

Golden West said...

Scotland's wide open spaces are captivating - thanks for taking me along!

RG said...

Great to hear that Spring is in the air! The sky looks pretty menacing to me!!!!

We do not have Jackdaws. Many ravens and crows.

Gillena Cox said...

Thanks for taking us along on your Kinnoull Hill via this posting, enjoyed the hyperlinks to the birds also

Rambling Woods said...

There is something so special about the 'green' in Scotland... no wonder my grandfather talked about it all the time....Michelle

Caroline Gill said...

It sounds as though you had a lovely trip! We saw snow yesterday over in the Ceredigion area of Wales, up on the hills. We heard a Greater Spotted Woodpecker drumming today - but I think he stayed inside the decayed trunk of the tree - we never saw him. How exciting to see a Peregrine - not a bird I have seen often at all.

Glenna said...

I think the jackdaws look like youngsters who've gone on a date to the theater. Next thing you know, he's got his wing on her shoulder....

Michael said...

Aye, we've noticed the birds gearing up for Spring this week.

maryt/theteach said...

Juliet, sorry to take so long to get back to you...Great shots and I love the crocuses below. We don't have any this year yet! :)

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

One day I would love to visit Scotland. I'm forever grateful to blogland though...and my virtual vacations with friends.
hugs,
shell