Signs of Spring in Figgate Park

It's been a lovely cold clear day today, blue skies and sunshine (though it seems to be clouding over now). This morning we went to Figgate Park, hoping to see an otter or a water rail, as both these species have been spending a lot of time in the park recently. We didn't see either in fact, but there are always lots of things to see in this lovely place.

The centrepiece of the park is the pond

which has a good number of alder trees lining its banks, which are beautiful at this time of year, with both their catkins and cones on display

The hazel trees are lovely just now too, with their tiny red flowers out alongside the more familiar catkins.

Plenty of birds around too, including this lovely song thrush

and a family of mute swans on the pond

 Meanwhile these grey squirrels had gathered under the trees

It's always a lovely park for a walk and is well served with public transport routes too, meaning it's very accessible from various parts of Edinburgh.