Big Garden Birdwatch 2014

For over 30 years now the RSPB has been conducting a garden birdwatch at this time of year. The public are invited to take part by watching and recording the birds they see in one hour in their garden or a park and sending in their results by post or on-line.


Did the count on Saturday morning. The weather was horrible, windy, rainy though still quite mild; there were few birds about (I suspect most of them were sheltering) and the count was not at all representative of what we normally see. I thought about doing the count again later if the weather improved, but it remained pretty much the same all weekend. However my results for this year were:

Blackbird: 1
House sparrow: 4
Robin: 2
Wood pigeon: 1

January for Jelly Ear Fungus

Jelly ear fungus - Auricularia auricula-judae - on an old tree stump at the side of the path at the top of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links Maybe because of the wet winter, there seems to have been a lot more jelly fungus about.

 Noticed more jelly ear fungus on fallen logs  in the Serpentine Walk in Lower Largo.

First Snowdrops

The first snowdrops are just coming out in the Serpentine Walk in Lower Largo. About 10 days earlier than last year I think. Although it's been a wet and windy winter it's been relatively mild.

After the Storm

The Christmas Eve storm had abated but there was still a brisk wind and lively sea as the waves rolled in to Largo Bay on Christmas Day. Taken from the far east end of the bay looking towards Largo Law.

Scallop Shell Colour Variation

My favourite shells are those of the various scallops, particularly the small delicate ones. These, all between 3 and 4 cms across, were collected on the beach between Lundin Links and Lower Largo. They vary in colour from a pale creamy peach through reds to black.
The colour variation may be due to environmental conditions. For example, chemical reactions deep in the sand produce iron sulphide which is black in colour and it is this which can cause black colouration. However, genetic factors may also be involved.

High Cloud Patterns

Some quite spectacular cloud patterns over Lundin Links this morning. In the photo above the moon is just visible. Not sure of the type of cloud, possibly altocumulus.

Remembrance Sunday