Autumn beauty

Today has been spent carrying out vegetation surveys in the College Valley.  The Estate is at its stunning best.  There are a few plants still in flower including lesser hawkbit, tormentil, heather and grass of parnassus. 

Relatively few birds were seen but highlights included at least 3 ravens, red grouse (24), merlin (1), common buzzard (3), meadow pipit, skylark (1) and lesser redpoll (1).  2 red-legged partridge east of Goldscleugh were unusual but problably have escaped from the neighbouring estate.

A small number of waxcap fungi were also found.

George