Redwing
Regular bird watcher Des has sent in a list of the birds spotted in Hailes Quarry Park in January.
Highlights included a flock of 30 redwings. These are Scandinavian visitors wintering in Britain before heading off in March. You may also have seen goosanders on the canal. These also Scandinavian visitors here for the winter. The other highlight was a rare sighting of a kingfisher down by the canal. This beautiful little bird is more often spotted on the Water of Leith but may have come over to the canal looking for food. It is elusive but unmistakable with its bright blue and orange plumage. If you see one in Hailes Quarry Park let the Digital Sentinel know! The full list of bird species spotted in January are Blackbird, Black headed gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Feral Pigeon, Herring Gull, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Magpie, Redwing, Robin, Starling, Wood Pigeon. And down by the canal: Goosander, Kingfisher, Moorhen, Mallard, Mute Swan.
Des also shared this list with the Hailes Quarry Park Steering Group who meet regularly to discuss what is currently happening in the park and to have input over future developments. At their meeting last week, the focus was on the new wetlands area that was officially launched back in November. Longstone Primary are helping with some more planting here. And the group also discussed the draft designs for signboards that will give more information about the wetland area and what plants to look out for.
If you would like to know more about the Hailes Quarry Park Steering Group or come along to a meeting, please contact Abby Boultbee at Edinburgh and Lothian Greenspace Trust on 0131 445 4025.
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- Kingfisher
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- Goosander
