Pam_m
Well-known member
1st May.
My first holiday in Scotland and what a treat it was! The journey 'Up North' seemed a doddle owing to the wonderful scenery on the journey! First stop was Gretna Green for a refreshment break and a wander around. Very commercialised with the shops but a sign of the times with it's popularity I suppose. Three weddings took place in the hour we were there which show's how popular Gretna Green is. Highlight birds were House Martin and Swallow, the Swallows almost dive bombing shoppers as they emerged from the shops.
After a good look around the splendid 'Tartan' shop it was back on the road enroute to Kippford where we were to be staying for the week. Accomodation was a bungalow on a caravan park recommended by a friend. They have caravans, bungalows and lodges. The caravan park has a childrens adventure play area and a small shop catering for most items needed daily. The park has it's own woodland and a Red Squirrel breeding population. Badgers and Tawny Owls are regular visitors to the park, I heard a Tawny Owl but no sign of a Badger whilst we were there unfortunately.
Daily visitors after the bird seed that I put out on the balcony fence were Coal, Blue & Great Tit, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Blackbird, Greenfinch and Chaffinch and a Woodpigeon! Other species seen in and over the park were Swallow, H Martin, Goldfinch, Wren, Collared Dove, Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Gulls. I had to wait until the 6th (Wednesday) before a Red Squirrel appeared for the monkey nuts that I had put down for them. I had been told that once the park went quieter of people (after the Bank Holiday) the squirrels would soon be out and about and this was the case. I was delighted to see my first Red Squirrels, I just wish they had tidied the nut shells up after them.lol!!
My first holiday in Scotland and what a treat it was! The journey 'Up North' seemed a doddle owing to the wonderful scenery on the journey! First stop was Gretna Green for a refreshment break and a wander around. Very commercialised with the shops but a sign of the times with it's popularity I suppose. Three weddings took place in the hour we were there which show's how popular Gretna Green is. Highlight birds were House Martin and Swallow, the Swallows almost dive bombing shoppers as they emerged from the shops.
After a good look around the splendid 'Tartan' shop it was back on the road enroute to Kippford where we were to be staying for the week. Accomodation was a bungalow on a caravan park recommended by a friend. They have caravans, bungalows and lodges. The caravan park has a childrens adventure play area and a small shop catering for most items needed daily. The park has it's own woodland and a Red Squirrel breeding population. Badgers and Tawny Owls are regular visitors to the park, I heard a Tawny Owl but no sign of a Badger whilst we were there unfortunately.
Daily visitors after the bird seed that I put out on the balcony fence were Coal, Blue & Great Tit, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Blackbird, Greenfinch and Chaffinch and a Woodpigeon! Other species seen in and over the park were Swallow, H Martin, Goldfinch, Wren, Collared Dove, Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Gulls. I had to wait until the 6th (Wednesday) before a Red Squirrel appeared for the monkey nuts that I had put down for them. I had been told that once the park went quieter of people (after the Bank Holiday) the squirrels would soon be out and about and this was the case. I was delighted to see my first Red Squirrels, I just wish they had tidied the nut shells up after them.lol!!