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You would imagine finding a Plastic box nowadays would be easy, but I suppose it depends on the size. I tried several sources including the internet, but finding a box about a metre long by half a metre deep and wide was either impossible or cost a small fortune ! In the end, I realised that if I laid a wheelie bin on its back, cut out the front and sealed the lid, it would do the job. Before I get accused of stealing and vandalising council property, I did buy the wheelie bin from the council for £35, sorry to disappoint my rabid pack of critics ! The ducklings have now moved from a one room flat, to a luxury purpose built mobile home ! Short video below.
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| Himalayan Balsam |
Mr Fraser's Highland Council Parks dept have to be commended for their prompt removal of the Himalayan Balsam that was beside the old gasworks site. After my request earlier in the year they sprayed the young Balsam, but some of it remained and was now flowering profusely. I asked only a couple of days ago if they could remove the remainder before it went to seed, and was pleasantly surprised to see the Council workmen remove all the invaders this morning, in spite of the miserable wet weather! I have already sprayed or removed all the giant hogweed that was in this location, and will continue to do so. The river is badly infested with alien species and urgently needs this to be tackled in a serious way ! The seeding of these species is second to none, and really need serious opposition to eradicate them !
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| Giant Hogweed flowers |
Looks like the Council are taking heed of some local concerns and making some improvments to the Bailey bridge. I also received word from Cllr Liz MacDonald, that the area of Himalayan balsam that I pointed out in a previous post, has now been sprayed ! Well done to the council !
Our resident Swans are biding their time and enjoying relaxed days on the island and river. This week saw the return of one cygnet at the river mouth but flew off when approached by the parents. I notice that there are now 3 moorhens on the island, as well as the Pintail and mallard ducks. The Council have again shown that they are out of sync
with the local wildlife, by cutting back all the dense growth beside the old gasworks site and around the harbour toilets . This dense growth was shelter and a food source for lots of small birds including the Robin which was pictured on this blog earlier. Why the hell they cut it now instead of the end of February or early March, shows lack of care and consideration for our local birdlife. It is still mid winter and the birds need the food and shelter ! It's time the parks dept got their pruning schedule for these sort of areas re-organised !
