Busy time for fledglings
The RSPB Blog • Published 30 Jul 2012 09:30
It has been a busy few weeks over here at RSPB Shop for Nature Loch Lomond Shores.
Suddenly the Loch side and woodland around the Loch is alive with fledglings and young from all species.
Summer has brought the stunning green out of the trees and wild flowers scent the air beautifully.
Here at The RSPB Shop for Nature we are currently captivated by the nesting baby swallows in the awning above our shops mentioned previously in our earlier blog.
They have turned from somewhat-scrawny chicks to fully-fledged young Swallows who are now sitting on the lighting wires above our shop, copying mum on how to successfully catch bugs.
It truly is a delight to watch them.
Our Shop has been buzzing with activity too, due to the summer holidays now being on us, lots of families and tourists are dropping in to take advantage of our fantastic summer sale and great new range of kids toys currently available.
Many of our lines are reduced to half price; it makes a nice change to meet bargain hunters than bug hunters for a change.
Over at Cameron House my colleague James Elliott, Estate Ranger for Cameron House and the Carrick Reserve informs me of how alive with nature it is over at the Carrick estates.
He adds: "Walking through the nature reserve this morning I saw good numbers of fledgling birds, particularly in the marshy scrubland areas where I observed plenty of juvenile willow and sedge warblers.
\"The songs of these two birds filled the air of the Carrick last month, however the full songs are now mainly replaced with the little contact calls as the young communicate to their parents and siblings.
Vegetation-wise the nature reserve is looking particularly green and lush at this time of the year. The meadow sweet, valerian and willow-herbs are very prominent as they tower above the other flowering plants.
The grasses are also at their showiest with waves of Yorkshire-fog and sweet vernal grass swaying in the breeze. Out on the lagoons the yellow water lilies add a splash of colour."
i have to agree with James, it is wonderful to see so many young fledglings take to the sky, on our trips around the site here at RSPB Shop for Nature Loch Lomond shores, We have spotted young Blue tits and Great tits- their usually vibrant colouring still to appear with maturity. We have seen some young Siskins too, they are so very tiny!
Probably the most impressive spot of all for us here at RSPB shop for nature Loch Lomond Shores was our little Dunnock fledgling.
I will be keeping you updated with its progress in the blogs to follow. Until then why not pay us a visit to see for yourself all we have to offer.
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