2023 has been somewhat light on the wildlife sightings so far, I'm disappointed to say. This has been partly down to illness preventing me from spending as much time outdoors as I might have liked, and when I have had chance to get outside, winter has ensured it retains its grip on our country.
Visits to the squirrels at RSPB Loch Leven have been light on sightings lately as well. I last saw Nutalie in January (though have heard she was seen on a camera at the visitor centre), and a male that dashed in and out. I've spent so many visits sat without a squirrel passing by. There could be several reasons for this, but I'm leaning towards building work and considerable noise playing some part in this.
Of course, being sat with squirrels is something that makes me very happy indeed. I don't like to go weeks without seeing them, so asked a fellow wildlife buddy if we could go to see the squirrels at a quiet location they know of. I spent an afternoon there last October and the area was such a relaxing place to sit in. Squirrels arrived immediately, birds popped in, a young Roe came to see what we were doing...
Today's visit was indeed quieter, as the wind rocked the trees and the chill from the winter's last gasp made it difficult to believe that we are now in Spring 2023. Nevertheless, after a spell of no activity, one red came to visit. Shortly after another two poked their heads in. The squirrels today were very skittish, running in and caching what they could before disappearing within the trees. As the morning wore on, the sun graced us with its presence and the squirrels were more inclined to sit and eat.
Those few hours were just what I needed.
Soundtrack Credits:
Dandelion Feathers - Cora Zea
Inception - Megan Wofford
Backwoods Tangle - Cora Zea
Profound - Rannar Sillard
Music from Epidemic Sound
(www.epidemicsound.com)
