A Spring Walk Full of Wildlife, Wonder and a Blood Moon Finale
This week’s World Wildlife Day evening walk, led by Sam Gardiner from the The Ecology Centre, was a reminder of just how powerful time in nature can be.
We were joined by a wonderfully varied group: two ladies from the local walking group “Bums Off Seats”, a father and a brilliant young person, and two people from Rural Skills Scotland who will be involved in managing the sluices and drainage channels for the project. It made for a fascinating mix of perspectives and experience.
A Noisy Start
The evening began in stark contrast to the calm we’d eventually find. As we gathered, the landscape was anything but quiet.
Heavy machinery was busy undertaking works nearby. Three dirt bikes were speeding dangerously around the paths and fields. A stone-cutting saw screamed somewhere in the distance. And, as if to top it all off, an Army Chinook helicopter thundered overhead.
It felt chaotic and intense - a very modern kind of noise.
But I mentioned to the group that as we moved further along the river, the landscape would quieten and we’d start noticing what was really happening around us. By the time we finished the walk at dusk, I was confident we’d see plenty of wildlife simply getting on with life.
And that’s exactly what happened.
Into the Wetlands
As we followed the river through areas of mixed wetlands, the noise faded and calmer spaces began to reveal themselves.
Our group included retired biology teachers, kayakers, ecologists, and people who have known the area for decades. The local knowledge and stories shared along the way were as enriching as the wildlife itself.
Nature certainly didn’t disappoint.
Wildlife Highlights
Among the many sightings were:
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Treecreepers
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Blue tits
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Great tits
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Coal tits
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Long-tailed tits
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Wrens
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Crows
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Mallard ducks
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A kestrel
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A buzzard
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A dipper along the river Photo by Doncoombez on Unsplash
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A goosander flying low and fast over the water
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A beautiful heron standing in the marshland, perfectly framed by bulrushes (great reedmace)
One of the standout moments was a song thrush perched on top of a huge old willow on the riverbank, singing what felt like a perfect ode to the arrival of spring.
Trees Awakening
We also spent time noticing the trees beginning to wake from winter.
We saw Alder, Willow, Oak, Blackthorn, Elder, Ash (looking reassuringly healthy), Birch, Hawthorn, Beech, and Broom. Mallard Ducks
The cherry trees were just beginning to blossom, hinting that the season is starting to turn.
A Sense of Hope
There were lots of thoughtful questions about the habitat project and how the new landscape will function.
The overall feeling from the group was overwhelmingly positive. Seeing wildlife thriving even before the new habitat is fully established really reinforced the sense that nature is resilient — and that the work being done here will hopefully give it an even greater boost.
A Magical Ending
As if the evening hadn’t already delivered enough magic, it finished with an incredible Blood Moon rising as we made our way back to our starting point.
By the time we returned, everyone seemed noticeably calmer than when we had set off.
From roaring helicopters and dirt bikes to birdsong and moonrise — it felt like a small but powerful reminder of how quickly nature can restore a sense of balance.
Let’s hope it’s a portent of good things to come.