I’ll pass you over to Phil this week for news of the Reserve, but before I go, a quick update on our three osprey. Tore and Rothes are, as usual, content in their respective haunts, but Bynack has been on a sleepover again – this time he’s been visiting an area to the east of Dakar, Mbourou and returned the following day to Djoudi National Park. He certainly seems to like his trips away! 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for keeping me company these last few months and look forward to what adventures lie ahead in 2012.

A very Happy Christmas!

Julie Q

 

Firstly, many thanks for the comments welcoming me to the reserve following my last contribution.  It's great to know we are supported in the work we do.

Since I last spoke to you I've had a chance to walk more of the reserve, and some of the surrounding areas.  We've also been heather burning high up on the hills, which gave me a great view of the area whilst 'working'.  My life has certainly moved on, in a positive way, since I decided to leave my office-based job over two years ago.

More recently, the weather has finally become more winter-like, with snow and ice to clear from around the lodge and workshops.  We've also had some heavy winds, so have been out clearing fallen trees from the roads and tracks that pass through or adjacent to the reserve.  I've been hoping for snow since my arrival, and the best days for me so far, have been the days when I've been able to get out into the more remote areas of the reserve whilst they've been covered in snow.  I think the reserve is an amazing place to stay for six months, with a great mix of mature woodland, semi-mature trees and regeneration; it's rivers and burns and hills and mountains; but adding a layer of snow on top creates a landscape of rare beauty, and is like the icing on the cake.

In the second week of December, our local volunteers helped us for a day or two with bagging firewood logs for distribution to our local Senior Citizens, followed by Yuletide drinks and mince pies, as a "Thank You" to our helpers.

Recent sightings whilst out & about on the reserve include; small groups of bullfinch, fieldfare and redwing, a golden eagle, a pine marten, several capercaillie, grey herons, a pair of dippers, the usual mix of tits and finches, and lots of woodcock. Apparently, many of these will be migrants that arrive in north Scotland in late November, having crossed the North Sea from Scandinavia.    Phil.