Update from the Reserve – July 2021

Written by: Stewart Borland
Published: 30th July 2021

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We find ourselves in the heart of summer with the Reserve dazzling us with its beauty once again. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the animals are playing, making the long winter feel very much worth it when this is our reward. It has been a busy month for us at the Reserve, so continue reading to find out what we have been up to!

Summer of Love

Dougie and Jo’s wedding at the Highland Title’s Reserve

This month we had something a bit different – a wedding! The wonderful Dougie and Jo tied the knot with the scenic backdrop of the Reserve on their special day. The couple’s parents were familiar with the Reserve as they were already the proud owners of a plot. Therefore, when the couple’s previous wedding plans fell through (for the 3rd time due to Covid-19), they suggested the Reserve – and we were delighted to have them!

We wanted to pull out all the stops for this lovely couple and even gave the buggy a makeover, turning it into a wedding car worthy of a Lord and Lady. It was a great day for everyone involved as even the weather stayed on our side. Once again, everyone at Highland Titles would like to offer congratulations to Dougie and Jo, and we look forward to them returning on their anniversary each year.

Photos courtesy of Lewis Cannon Photography, thanks.

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Nuthatch Sighting

Nuthatch bird at the Nature Reserve

This month we are very excited to add the Nuthatch to our ever growing species list here at the Reserve. The name Nuthatch comes from nut hacker, reflecting their method of opening nuts as they will typically jam them into a crevice and hammer with their beaks to open them. The Nuthatch is a plump bird about the size of a Great Tit that resembles a small Woodpecker. It is blue-grey above and whitish below, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail. It has a black stripe on its head, a long black pointed bill and short legs.

It breeds throughout England and Wales and has recently begun to breed in southern Scotland. They are known for being very much homebodies, with birds seldom travelling far from the woods where they hatch. Hopefully this means there will continue to be many more sightings in the future!

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Flying the Nest!

Ducklings at the Nature Reserve
Our Reserve babies are starting to grow up. This year the Reserve has been home to many chicks and ducklings. We have had the Canada Geese chicks fly the nest and now it looks like the ducklings are ready to test the waters of adulthood away from their mother’s watchful eye. We don’t think mum and dad will be too lonely without them though as there also seems to be a new set of ducklings just hatched to keep them on their toes!

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Our Deer Friend

A deer on her walk into town
We seem to have a new walking buddy. This month our ‘deer friend’ joined us for a walk around the village. Over the bridge and up on the pavements this ‘supposedly flighty deer’ seemed to enjoy her stroll into town. We thought we had given her the slip on the way home, but the next morning there she was waiting at the window – maybe she is also trying to work on her step count this summer!

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Clip of the Month: A Fox First

This clip is for all the fox fans, with 4 clips of our bushy tailed friends, including our first ever fox cub caught on the spycams. The red fox is an iconic species, immortalised in stories and legends for its cunning and stealth but how could this wee bundle of fluff not pull at your heart strings!