Today I have discovered that we have two Wrens nesting at Tulloch.
One in the log shed, the other by the garden pond.
We are blessed!
– Karen – x
Tag Archives: Photography
A Lump in my Throat…
With this new February Snow, am keeping an eye open for new Birds etc and am pleased to report that the Yellow Hammer has made an appearance for the first time at Tulloch this morning and that we have two Tree Creepers in the garden.
I have also been watching our Wee Buck on a daily basis.
Other Fallow have now appeared in the field to find food, so was interested to see how our Wee Buck would react to his fellow Deer.
This morning has seen a fresh Stag appear, very grand he is.
After hanging around grazing all morning, the fresh Stag has led the way to find shelter for this afternoon, watching them all jump the fence one by one, there was one hind, a younger Stag and our Wee Buck left, as I type, it looks like the hind and younger Stag are trying to encourage our Wee Buck to jump the fence also and I can’t but help feel a wee lump in me throat, is today the day he leaves us to join the herd???
– Karen – x
Our Wee Buck
Another Stag we saw, notice his Antlers!
The Badger tit …
After the Siskins and Chaffinch dominated the garden here in Spring and Summer, September, October & November heralded a new leader and that was the Coal tit – Parus ater.
I have never seen as many together in one place and there could be up to 2 dozen in the garden at once!
The Coal tit, is one of Europes smallest Birds and is the smallest of the British tits.
It is easily recognisable due to its black head and white nape patch.
And I was told the other day, that in Lincolnshire, it is known as the Badger tit, which really does suit this wee character.
The hierarchy, is changing yet again in the garden here at Tulloch and I am really looking forward to see what birds winter will bring us.
– Karen- x
On Top of the World
Loves Suet Feeders
Coal tit on Fir
Watching the snow
Dining Together
Compare its size to the Chaffinch & Great tit
A Wee Beak-full
With the Greenfinch
With Female Chaffinch
Coming into feed
Pheasants & Poodles…
Of late, quite a few Pheasants have appeared here at Tulloch.
Now in my experience, I can tell you, that they aren’t the brightest of Birds, but you can often get a few Characters amongst them.
And one of those characters seems to have turned up here at Tulloch.
It stands at the other side of the hedge and when Barclay is out in the garden, it will start calling out, this in turn, has made Barclay start to bark.
Both are getting worse each day, so it ends up with me fastening Barclay inside to quieten them both down.
No sooner does the click of the door shut, the Pheasant flies into the garden to feed and also seems to do a victory strutt over the lawn, whilst the disgruntled Poodle looks on from the inside.
If I think on, will have to try and film it all.
1-0 to the Pheasant I reckon, maybe they aren’t that dim after all lol
-Karen-x
New Beginnings with The Nature Diaries…
So, we have moved to Tulloch, near Enochdhu and I can now finally make a proper start with The Nature Diaries.
We are now amongst an abundance of Nature and it is beautiful.
We moved here on the 20th May 2016. I will be sharing life at Tulloch and its goings ons with you after today, sadly not had much chance for Photography yet, as there has been so much to do, but can’t wait to start.
And there is still much to do, but I will enjoy doing it and one of those things, will be the Tulloch Meadow.
One of the main things we have been doing outside, is setting up various Bird Feeding Stations and since we moved, I have been keeping an eye out for feathered visitors to Tulloch Garden, here is what we have had so far (In order of sighting) …
Siskin – We have an abundance of these wee fellows.
Cuckoo – Can you believe, the second bird spotted in the garden was a Cuckoo!!
I was busy unpacking at the time when I saw it and I made a speedy dash for the
McNikon, but foolishly in my excitement, I went straight into the Sunroom, of
course it saw me and flew off! Was absolutely kicking myself! If I had headed for
the Kitchen, chances are I would have been sharing with you an image. DUH!!
Great Spotted Woodpecker – We have a wee family here.
Swallow – I do not know how many nests there are! And when you walk into an
outbuilding, you watch your head AND where you walk (Lots of mess)!
Oystercatcher – No, not actually landed in the garden, but many flying over.
Blackbird
Great tit – A fair few fledglings about.
Chaffinch – Like the Siskins, an abundance of them.
Coal tit
Jackdaw – As soon as I step indoors, they appear!
Wood Pigeon
Goldfinch
Blue tit
Pied Wagtail
Heron – Yep, A Heron came and landed in a tree at our gate!
Raven – Not landing, but flying over, wonderful to hear them from the forest.
Mallard – We had a pair regularly popping into feed, but no sign of them now for over
2wks. Barclay doesn’t help!
Greenfinch
Dunnock
Sparrowhawk – As bold as brass!
Robin – Have only seen two.
Mistle Thrush
Rock Dove
Stock Dove
Tree Sparrow
House Sparrow
Pheasant Cock and Hen both feeding, but like the Mallard, have gone awol.
House Martin – Overjoyed to see these nesting, but have suddenly disappeared.
Buzzard – Came and landed in one of the trees.
Greylag Geese – Flying Over
Bullfinch
Starling
Redpoll
Canada Geese – Flying over
Song Thrush
Owl – Am sure its a Tawny, but more on him next post.
And … Obviously not a garden visitor, or even in Tulloch airspace, but have seen flying near the Golden Eagle and he just HAD to be added to the list!
And … the other thing I have been busy with, is a new website!
With, a new addition, K-Pedia, here is where you will find my work in progress of The Nature List check it out.
So, there you go, Tulloch Bird List to date (Not including meadow) am very much looking forward, to see who will come calling next
Karen x
The most common visitor to Tulloch, is the Siskin
Flowers In The Glen …
Had a drive down one my favourite glens last Sunday, Glen Lyon.
The weather wasn’t great, but it was still as beautiful, magnificent hills, crisp fresh air, clean clear waters, lush greens and all was peaceful.
The Heather is really starting to show the now and the countryside has an abundance of wild flowers.
I didn’t get many photos, but tried to capture something each time we stopped to let Barclay out, or stopped for me to open gates on a fabulous K Road (Meaning unnamed roads/tracks, which are my favourites & I’ve christened them K Roads, those who have been out with me, will know exactly what I am on about).
Heres a small selection of just some of the flora we saw
Karen x
Pretty Purple Heather Beginning To Decorate The Hillsides.
Bell Heather
Bumble Bee on Cross-leaved Heather.
Slender St john’s-wort
The Lichen, Cladonia portentosa Growing At Glen Lyon, Highland Perthshire.
Lesser Spearwort
Wild Thyme Creeping Over Rocks. The favourite flower of Fairies.
Heath Spotted-orchid
Monkeyflower
Dozens Of Heath Spotted-orchid, Glen Lochay.
Foxgloves Growing Amongst Rocks & Boulders
The Orchid …
Last year, whilst out walking McBasil, we came across an Orchid, just one, not another in sight.
This year, curiosity got the better of me and I decided that Barclay and I would venture back to that very same spot to see if it had shown again this year.
First visit, there was no sign of it, but, things are about a week – 10 days behind this year compared to last, so we we would take another trip in search of it.
This time we were rewarded for our troubles, there its was!
Now I am not that great on Orchid identification, but giving its colour and location am opting for a Northern Marsh-orchid – Dactylorhiza purpurella.
It may look a sturdy wee thing, but it is not, it was just hanging onto its spot and I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to knock/touch it!
It wasn’t that tall either, as you can see from the 2nd image as its measured against me iPhone 6plus (Approx 17cm), the Orchid stands at 12cm.
Last year, it was only around for approx 2 weeks.
Am pleased to have come across this beautiful gem
Karen x
Northern Marsh-orchid – Dactylorhiza purpurella
Northern Marsh-orchid – Dactylorhiza purpurella
Northern Marsh-orchid – Dactylorhiza purpurella
Welcome to The Nature Diaries …
Am starting this new Blog Page especially on Nature.
As quoted in the ‘About’ section on my website, “I have always loved Nature, tis how I was brought up & what I was taught from my Parents from when I can first remember.
I didn’t really have/enjoy Dolls & such as a child, I had a Jack Russell Terrier given to me when I was four and most of my time was spent outside, I was taught to recognise & identify Birds, Flowers, Trees etc. Next I was taught countryside ways, then taught to Shoot & Fish. The most important lesson I had though, was to respect Nature & the Countryside.”
I did not like School, could barely remember what I was taught from one day to the next, but out in the countryside, been shown and told about things, well I soaked that up like a sponge.
Many a day, I would purposely try to miss the School Bus, just so I could spend time outdoors with my Father.
Missing the Bus did not happen as much as I would have liked, but after a School day, there was often walks with my Mother, along with my Jack Russell, followed by the Cat and then followed by the resident Canada Geese (Including family of Goslings when they had them)!
This love of Nature has never left me.
Am no way an expert, but I love noticing things everyday and am still learning.
I am surrounded by the spectacular Scottish Countryside and a wee library of books and that is pretty much ideal to me.
Am constantly Photographing and capturing Nature, a lot just for my own personal interest.
And the other week, I received a fantastic gift from my Father and that was a Wildlife Trail Camera.
Early days for this Nature Cam, but am already hooked!
This gift, prompted me to finally get this Page up and running and share.
It will be random, with no bells and whistles etc
Could possibly be what I just notice whilst out walking Barclay etc, as it does not matter where you are, some form of Nature will be nearby.
Karen x
Here is a wee bit of footage from the Nature Cam
The Nature Diaries 