I walked along the Water of Leith again today - it was a lovely day and there were plenty of birds out! Since starting to do this walk regularly I have been impressed by how many bullfinches there are along the river. Click on the photo above to see one of the ones I saw today. Today I saw a heron for the first time in a while, herons always look too big and flamboyant for a small urban river but they do like the Water of Leith. As I was watching the heron it was joined by a grey wagtail, which rushed around busily while the heron just stood quietly and patiently.Weaver of Grass recently commented that I seem to walk along the Water of Leith rather a lot. Well that's because I'm a volunteer for the Water of Leith Conservation Trust and I aim to walk this stretch of river every week, noting the birds and butterflies I see, cutting back any obstructive vegetation and picking litter. It must be one of the best voluntary jobs in the world, particularly as I have the most beautiful section of the river to look after...
Looks like a beautiful place to walk! When I was at the college a couple of weeks back, there was a heron who stood in the creek every evening. He was always waiting for us as we walked back to our dorm in the evening. Peaceful and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA couple days ago I looked up and saw two great blue herons flying over. They are so majestic. Walking the same path each week makes the details pop out, doesn't it?
ReplyDeletehello juliet, it's a tremendous act of kindness - both to yourself and to those you don't know who walk along that path - to care for that property. it's obvious that you fully enjoy and appreciate the rewards!!! beautiful pictures - and the first time i've seen a bullfinch!! have a peaceful day. steven
ReplyDeleteThat sounds such a lovely job Juliet - and I am so envious of your bullfinches - we only see one occasionally - usually when the honeysuckle berries are ripe - they love them. We do have a resident heron on our beck. Walking along the Tweed in Peebles a few years ago we saw herons every hundred yards or so - they are such stately birds. Do you know Edwin Morgan's poem Heron? One of my favourites.
ReplyDeleteHi - I've popped over from Michelle Johnson's blog. What a great volunteer job you've taken on. Sounds restful and rejuvenating for you as well as for the river.
ReplyDeleteThat bullfinch doesn't seem to mind your walking around there taking pictures of him. He's so cute. Interesting how the heron kept his cool while the grey wagtail rushed around him. I couldn't be that patient, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd agree your volunteer work sounds like the best job ever. Keep up the good work. Have a nice day.
It does sound a lovely job!
ReplyDeleteI've not seen bullfinches for ages.
I haven’t been to the Water of Leith for ages, so I must get down there and look out for those bullfinches! On the subject of birds around Edinburgh, I was very pleased with myself on Friday while in the Pentland Hills when I saw, and recognised, a pair of stonechats – a very pretty little bird.
ReplyDeleteSee anymore dippers?
ReplyDeleteI have driven across America several times. The two birds you see everywhere are crows and great blue herons!!!
Freckles and Deb - how sweet to have a heron there everytime you walk by, hope college went well Deb!
ReplyDeleteDeb G - yes that's what I love about walking the same route every week...
Steven - thanks, it's a shame that your first bullfinch should be such a partially hidden one as this!
Weaver - bullfinches are making a comeback! Yes i do know Edwin Morgans Heron, one of my favourites too
Julia - thaks for visiting!
Michelle, I just wish i had a better zoom! I watched the bullfinch for quite a while, he was very unconcerned!
Lucy - thanks
Golebnik - oh stonechats are lovely. There are lots of birds by the Water of Leith and so many pretty walks in the Dells...
Rabbits Guy - no dippers yesterday, but they're usually there. Yes herons are quite common and can be troublesome too, but still magnificent to look at.
That's nice of you to help with sprucing up the river :) and the bullfinch is so tiny and cute!
ReplyDeleteHi there Julier
ReplyDeleteI love the name water of Leith - it sounds like a song title...
It is my first bullfinch too - a little rotund beauty...
keep up the good work
Happy days
I love your header. It's absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for taking us on another glorious walk. I can hear the birds sing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog. I'm having such a lovely time discovering yours! Such beautiful words and photos. I'm sure I'll be back to visit often.
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