Monday 11 March 2013

Birdwatching in the snow

A few days ago on this blog, I foolishly said something about Spring arriving. Well, she's abruptly turned round and left again and we're back in the middle of winter. Yesterday and last night there was a lot of snow and hail in Edinburgh. This morning it started out sunny but very cold. Several people couldn't get to my birdwatching class this morning, but those who did, braved the intermittent blizzards to enjoy wonderful snowy landscapes, excellent views of a buzzard and a kestrel and very close views of dunnocks and wrens. The dunnocks and wrens seemed to have found little dens in the snow, where they disappeared to look for food or to keep warm.

The highlight of the morning though was seeing a red fox on the old quarry. We first saw it during one of the sunny periods of the morning, its red coat gleaming beautiful in the sunshine. We were all slightly concerned that it would eat one of the several rabbits that were running around the slopes, but the bunnies seemed to have the upper hand, in fact they seemed to be teasing the fox, who frequently shifted position and started to chase rabbits but then sat down again. Eventually the fox ran off over the top of the quarry and the rabbits carried on with what they were doing. Then the snow set in again.

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9 comments:

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I guess spring arrives on her own terms and will not be told when to arrive eh? :)

Crafty Green Poet said...

Optimistic- indeed, you're right there!

Caroline Gill said...

I'm glad the rabbits were spared ... and I hope the fox found some more suitable fox scraps elsewhere! We had a Sparrowhawk in the garden today ... brought in, I guess, by the snow.

Bill said...

A variation on the one I recently posted at my blog:

spring snow
the groundhog blames
climate change

Do you know anyone who roots for the fox in situations like this? Remember the Walt Disney "True Life Adventures," in which the prey always got away?

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Spring has tried to arrive several times here. Alas, she will leave us again the rest of the week. Darn.
I'm so glad the bunnies were much more clever than the fox. :)

RoadBunner said...

No photos but the way you described it I felt like I was there. :)

RG said...

Spring is not until March 21! I am sure the snow is enjoyable and will be gone soon. Seeing the fox in snow must have been a real treat for all.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Bill - I think everyone is on the side of the prey species, except where the predator is an endangered species and the prey is really common

Rabbits Guy - a lot of people in the UK believe Spring starts on 1 March and there are always signs of spring as early as February

eileeninmd said...

I think everyone is so ready for spring to arrive. I am glad the bunny was safe from the fox. Even with the snow it sounds like a nice outing. Have a happy week!