After only getting out for 5 days in February, it was a delight to be out so much in March. There was a definite feeling of spring in the air, with plenty of snowdrops, crocuses & daffodils adding colour wherever I went.
The kingfishers started coming back to the Water of Leith after February’s high water levels, due to all the rain. Roe deer were out in force looking for spring shoots and riverbank vegetation. Badgers and foxes were busy with cubs being born, all along the river.
The Water of Leith was quiet otter wise, as all four cubs have left the river. This now only leaves 3 mums (without cubs) and they have mainly been out at night.
All around Edinburgh, there has been a huge uptick in bird activity, as breeding season descends. The Water of Leith’s resident birds were no different, and it’s been a pleasure listening to the dawn chorus most mornings!
There have been kingfishers pairing up which is always great to see. Dippers have been very active nest building & great spotted woodpeckers have been heard, drumming on the trees, along the river.
The swans down at Leith have a new nesting area and the swans at Roseburn have just paired up a few weeks ago. The ones at Roseburn haven’t had any success breeding-wise for the last 4-5 years, so hopefully this will be their year!
There should be lots to see all along the river during April. So here’s hoping for some reasonable weather conditions, over the next few months, as the breeding season gets going!
Below are some shots taken on the Water of Leith during March!
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