Monthly Archives: December 2012

Buzzards, Nora wellies and a midden!

Posted on December 29, 2012 by wildlifedetective

My first jobs in the morning are to fill the bird and squirrel feeders, then let my 15 khaki Campbell ducks out of their shed and clean it out. At this time of the year all of this is carried … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas casualties

Posted on December 26, 2012 by wildlifedetective

Christmas should be a time of joy, but that principle is not always observed by nature. Or indeed by those who interfere with nature. In respect of two of the casualties I count myself in the latter group. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Birds in the rain

Posted on December 22, 2012 by wildlifedetective

It has been some spell of rain over much of the country, especially Perthshire.  While we’ve had no flooding in the Methven area it has rained almost continuously for three days. I suppose the main consolation is that it could … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

And now the loss of our guinea pig

Posted on December 21, 2012 by wildlifedetective

Jan has always liked guinea pigs. Many years ago they were kept in the shed, but in recent times they were included as kitchen residents. The most recent guinea pigs, two of them, were half-sisters. They were grey, which seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The seals of East Linga (part 2)

Posted on December 19, 2012 by wildlifedetective

On 25th February 2009 the two men again appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court. One, James Stewart – the man considered to be the instigator – pled guilty to the single charge under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. The other … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The seals of East Linga (part 1)

Posted on December 17, 2012 by wildlifedetective

I watched an item on Countryfile last night about grey seals breeding at Blakeney Point in Norfolk. The footage of the pure white pups brought back memories of an incident that occurred in one of our most northerly islands. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BBC Scotland Out of Doors – the shot hen harrier

Posted on December 15, 2012 by wildlifedetective

There was a first class report on BBC Scotland Out of Doors this morning by Bob Elliot, head of investigations at RSPB.  Bob was explaining how far forensic science has advanced in relation to wildlife crime. The example being discussed … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A hungry mistle thrush

Posted on December 12, 2012 by wildlifedetective

I was working at the window today and was admiring the swelling number of bramblings amongst the chaffinches. One male had what looked like a long white feather on its back. Since birds only have short feathers on their backs … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Red squirrel update

Posted on December 10, 2012 by wildlifedetective

A short post as an update on the two red squirrels.  During the windy day on Saturday they were less conspicuous, and we never saw the two at the same time. I hate these days as we worry about whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A dodgy walk to the hill – part 2

Posted on December 9, 2012 by wildlifedetective

Having abandoned my excursion to the hill, I walked back to the steading using the fields rather than the steep and icy hill road, then cut right-handed up towards the High Larches Wood.  There is a small roundel of spruce … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment