Mysteries of Nature

Nature works in mysterious ways, you might even say its magic; how a leaf the size of your hand can come from a bud so small. The freshness of the buds, the coating of morning dew of new leaves, the burst of life. The trees have awakened.

Willow can be found all along the route, it grows anywhere it can get a decent hold, from the sides of forest tracks to the open moor of Ballygroggan. It is one of the more common species on the Way, and can be used for many different things like basket weaving and fencing. It is one of many tree species that produce catkins alongside birch and alder which are also a common site on Kintyre. The willow looks like it is covered in little hairy caterpillars.

Wildlife can seem loud and uncontrolled, but listen closely enough and you will hear the symphonies of nature, the trickling of water as it hits the rocks, the songs of birds hiding high in the trees, the buzzing of insects. All these combined create the best sound in the world, the sound of the wild, all things natural.

Just a side note: Last week while I was walking in Campbeltown in the evening, I was pleasantly surprised with the display of a single Pipistrelle bat above my head. On a couple of occasions it came so close I could have just reached out and touched it. Bats are such wonderful creatures with their silent flight; they always seem to be in a rush to gather as much food as possible before sunrise. They are definitely one of the best species for keeping the midge numbers down and just for that they should be admired.    

Spring Has Arrived

Welcome to the first instalment of the Kintyre Way Wildlife Blog. This blog will follow the ever changing wildlife that can be seen while walking the way. 

The sounds, the smells, the feeling of spring have certainly come to Kintyre. Upbeat and bouncy, full of joy, a canvas covered with the most stunning colours, from a distance looks as if someone has used a massive paint brush, but if you look closer, the fine detail of many different shades of green, yellow and orange become apparent.  Full of life, that is what spring is all about, the beginning of new life, new stories, new moments that are worth remembering. 

Spring has definitely arrived with the new lambs, which can be spotted up and down the Kintyre Way, the burst of colour from the wild flowers and trees. The Daffodils have been in flower now for a few weeks, brightening up everyone’s day, showing off their wonderful yellows, whites and oranges. Primroses are now out in force along the coastal section between Clachan and Tayinloan, as well as the understated Coltsfoot, with its single flowering head, it is a miniature sun amongst the grass. 

All along the Kintyre Way, plants and animals that lie quite over the winter months are beginning to sing and dance to the music of spring.