A bit of an issue on Friday at St Vigeans, my local exercise site, and from a conversation with a resident an ongoing one. Lots of people are walking the mixed paths along the Brothock Valley and there's not always clear passing space. Everyone I saw did keep a safe distance but it didn't feel right, much busier than I'm used to. I didn't stay or walk further than a short path below the bridge where I found three calling Chiffchaffs, a Song Thrush and two Wrens. I fear the extra footfall may affect the Dippers along this stretch of the burn, but I hope not.
Apparently the polis had put notes on cars in the car park, along the lines of, if you can't walk here you shouldn't be here. Michael Gove said, "driving a 2km radius from home to exercise would be acceptable", the actual law doesn't reflect what either of them are saying! I can see though that some people don't get or care about the theme, groups of teenage boys were being seen regularly, they'd forgot that their Granny is at risk from their behaviour as well as everyone else's Granny, and most important the NHS staff they may need to rely on if they get it!
On my way back a surprise pair of Curlews and some Oystercatchers feeding in the field at Tarry Road, so lacking content for this post I filmed them!
Curlew feeding in a newly planted cereal field,click here for video
Oystercatcher feeding in the same field with a different technique, click here
Chiffchaff at St Vigeans, one of three near to the closed road bridge
All three in dark corners
Wren in a bit of light