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Scotland cant always boast about sunshine, even in the middle of Summer, but right now we are getting our fair share. This must impress the tourists especially with the Commonwealth Games and influx of global visitors.
One segment of our community however is champing at the bit for rain, the Angling fraternity have been drooling at the sight of Salmon that are now getting desperate for rain to allow them up river to the Spawning grounds. Much as I love the wildlife above the water, I also admire and marvel at the life below the water. As an ex angler I would now much rather watch these beautiful fish than catch them.
River conditions are pretty dire at the moment with low water, river weed and lack of oxygen all with the potential for the spread of disease among the fish. Myself and other members of the Trust will keep a watchful eye on the welfare of these fish whilst they are in this vulnerable position. Late July usually produces some rain, for the sake of the fish I hope so.
What an Amazing Summer we've had, 4 months and it's still looking good at the start of October. This is even better than 1976 from my recollections. The final count on surviving ducklings this year is 45 so far, I hope we don't get any late surprises like last years Halloween ducklings !
It has been a good year for the river birds, and all down to the good weather.
The Geese are back in sizable numbers, and can be seen and heard daily. Also on the go are 5 goosanders having a gander at the Swans as they came upstream today.
The white duck has also returned for the winter months, after spending most of the summer half a mile away.
The river has been useless for fishing this year, with almost no significant rainfall throughout the summer.
This is the global warming we were all hoping for locally !
After returning from the South Nairn Demo, I returned to my usual duties of feeding the waterbirds, only to see them take fright and head up river.
The resident Seal was taking advantage of the high tide to do a spot of Salmon fishing.
Although at some distance, I managed to get some shots of the action as it unfolded, with the Seal catching a salmon and devouring it before my eyes.
Interestingly using it's front flippers to hold the fish whilst eating it - resembling an Otter.
The sequence of shots tells the story.
Following on a previous post regarding river rats, I think my viewers will find the following video taken this morning very interesting. It was on a receding high tide at the Merryton /Sewage bridge where it was claimed at last nights RCC meeting to be infested with rats. Lo and behold as luck would have it, a salmon kelt washed onto the bank, and Roland Rat was presented with a feast ! I don't know why the claimed hoards were not present - maybe just a wee bit exaggerated perhaps. I really must stop buying them Salmon !
Another crisp day and a distinctive wind chill, but dry and pleasant at least. The ducklings are doing well and for the most part sleeping and eating like most baby creatures do. Getting them into a routine in order to clean out the brooder etc and reduce the workload on me, for it will consume more of my time as they get older. They are content to snuggle up to the pic of Mum with the heat lamp directly above, it's as near as I can reproduce home from home.
Morning means bathtime while I clean out the brooder, refresh the water and feed tray, and clean towel bedding, easier and less messy than straw ! This allows them to preen and dry themselves off before breakfast and another sleep.(short video below). I checked on their Mum today and she is back with her partner, he is a hybrid of the old blondie, hence the reason we have two lighter coloured ducklings in this brood.
With high tide, the seal made it's usual visit searching for early kelts or late salmon, he gave me the once over before diving. The head was almost human looking !
The heads of the ducklings are very very cute, but will also include a Salmon I saw jumping earlier this year, and the Swans in this post too !
