David Carnduff

United Kingdom

Nature Columnist at Greenock Telegraph

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Articles

We look at the auks that are an important part of Scotland's avian heritage

2 weeks ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

I made the trip to Hunter's Quay just recently, on a day when clearing weather allowed good views to the south past Cloch Lighthouse towards Bute and Arran. The brighter, drier conditions made it easier to spot birds on the water, and I soon saw a couple of black guillemots, those smart little auks that occur in small numbers along Inverclyde's coast.
Wildflowers are now growing abundantly thanks to some June showers

3 weeks ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

My 'lawn' (I use the term loosely) which was looking rather parched, suddenly perked up and I soon acquired an unexpected crop of buttercups and daisies to add splashes of yellow and white. But it's not just on neglected lawns like mine that wildflowers are now growing abundantly. Take a walk along any of Inverclyde's byways and you will see the best displays that June can offer.
We shine a light on the bird family dramas playing out across Inverclyde

4 weeks ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

A juvenile starling (right) lacks the glossy, flecked plumage of the parents. (Image: Pixabay.com) Frequent dramas are currently unfolding across Inverclyde's gardens and countryside. It's that time of year when hordes of juvenile starlings have left their nests and are heading out into a world of full of danger. And what a racket they make as they squawk loudly in pursuit of the adults which are busy finding food for the hungry youngsters.
How some of Inverclyde's visiting birds are thriving as temperatures rise

1 month ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

The chiffchaff weighs less than a pound coin, but this fiesty little species survives by finding food high among the boughs of bare trees while other summer-visiting birds are still in the balmy south. When you hear them giving away their presence by repeatedly calling their name - 'chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff' - it's a welcome sign that spring is on its way.
Tele outdoors expert looks at whether there's any truth to weather myths

1 month ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

Lunderston Bay has been the place to chill these past few weeks as we enjoy one of the sunniest and driest springs for many years. And it's not just beach-goers who have reaped the benefits of this long dry spell: Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society had bumper weather last Saturday for their 190th show at the Knapps, and Gourock Highland Games had an equally fine day on Sunday for their tartan spectacular at Battery Park.
What drives a bird to migrate from tropical Africa to the Inverclyde moors?

1 month ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

Cuckoos are summer visitors to Inverclyde's uplands. (Image: Pixabay) What drives a bird to fly from tropical Africa across desert, mountain and sea to a windswept moorland high in the Inverclyde uplands? It's a question I ponder every May when I hear the cuckoo calling its name from the heathery heights beyond Shielhill Glen. The answer, of course, is the bird's urge to migrate between its winter and summer territories for the important business of raising young.
Lifting the lid on the secrets of bluebells with the Tele's outdoors expert

1 month ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

Bluebells add a carpet of colour to many woodlands every May. (Image: Pixabay) May is often considered to be the finest month of the year and it's easy to understand why. The dawn chorus is hitting a crescendo, trees are flaunting their new-grown greenery, wildflowers are popping up everywhere and the days are longer and warmer.
Why Inverclyde's bird life can boost anyone's mood on even the dreichest of days

2 months ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

The little egret (left), great white egret (top right) and greenshank are among the many beautiful wading birds to be seen along the Port Glasgow shore, says David Carnduff (Image: Pixabay/George Munro) Nature has an amazing ability to boost our mood on dismal days when the weather seems determined to dampen our spirit. This thought occurred to me on a cold, grey morning last week when I hoped to see wading birds feeding on the mud among the timber ponds at Parklea.
Take a walk along a farm track and down memory lane with Tele's outdoors expert

2 months ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

David Carnduff goes on a walk along an old farm track linking Inverkip and Wemyss Bay. (Image: David Carnduff/George Munro) Hello Easter! You took your time to arrive this year, but you're very welcome nonetheless. Yes, we've had to wait a bit longer for this important date in the Christian calendar, which is determined by the lunar cycle and varies from year to year. It can fall any time between March 22 and April 25 and the last time it was this late was back in 2014.
Now's the time to look out for swallows in Inverclyde, says our outdoor expert

2 months ago | greenocktelegraph.co.uk | David Carnduff

With clear skies and rising temperatures, now is the time to start looking out for swallows in Inverclyde, says David Carnduff (Image: David Carnduff/Pixabay) Many moons ago, in my high school art class, I painted what I thought was a perfect landscape with trees, grass, hills and a deep blue sky. However, my teacher - Miss Currie - pointed out that my sky had no clouds. "In Scotland" she advised, "there is hardly ever an occasion when the sky is cloudless." Oh really?