Nigel's Nature

  K illantringan lies on the west coast of the Rhins peninsula, Wigtownshire; the southern-most county of Scotland. This first day of October was  warm  and  sunny  with good visibility. From the cliffs of Black Head I could discern clearly the coastal hills of Antrim in Ireland across the North Channel. Decommissioned some years ago, the Killantringan lighthouse is now in private ownership and what glorious sea views the occupants have, although it must be a very exposed position when storms roll across. The public car-park is on the cliff-top facing north up the Scottish coast and I set out from there to explore scrubby slopes above a rocky shore.  My attention was immediately drawn to the sound of cascading water where a burn plunged over the edge.     Following upstream, I disturbed a Grey Wagtail that flew off with a sharp call and a flash of rich yellow underparts. Further up I came to a swampy area where run-off from surrounding slopes...