Making the most of the current run of record breaking spring days,* I went to Selkirk Racecourse Moss, another of the Scottish Borders amazing range of valley fens. This one much more calcareous than many in the area, and dominated by rich sedge swamp communities. Find out about the site here – http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/sitelink/siteinfo.jsp?pa_code=1416
Though we have had a number of very warm sunny days, the nights are still chilly, and the vegetation remains firmly wrapped in winter, with the dead tinge of brown dominating across the fen. Not all though can remain locked in this winter garb. Close by Gorse banks brighten the place with their splashes of acid yellow flowers, giving the place an almost tropical feel, with their gentle scent of coconut wafting passed. High in the sky, the air was also filled with the trilling warble of Skylarks advertising this arrival of spring. While filling the gaps in this song, came the gentle “chiff chaff“ call, announcing to the world the arrival of the first Chiffchaffs of the spring, and so reminding me that spring real is approaching.
Selkirk Racecourse Moss – 27 March 2012 (Copyright – Carol Jones)
* – The last three days, have seen afternoon temperatures break the current temperature record and set a new one for March in Scotland.
lostnaturalist 