Netherdale

The morning started with a goldfinch, from the study window.  Did a little more leaf and mud clearing, then went walking.  Up past Carnousie castle, down towards the river, along to the Heughs of Meaggie then up around a loop I rarely take. There is at least one promising looking wooded path and a very large newly deer fenced area; 15 acres at least. Blip is newly emerged beech leaves, with the distant yellow being oil seed rape in flower across the valley.

Saw my first swallow of the year; there were lots of skylarks singing on the fields with newly emerged barley crops. One field of new lambs, one dead badger by the roadside. 

Rather cold in the afternoon; 10C and an East wind. Some sunshine in the evening.