A first visit to Buchan Country Park

Since moving to the area, I've been passing signs to Buchan Country Park and, given that after some essential shopping and dropping that back at home for a quick bite to eat, so this pm I headed off to explore.

It's getting much warmer and brighter although it was a bit 'glary' for picture taking.  The visitor centre was open so armed with a map I headed off!

Lots of wood carving signs everywhere... impressive

Loved this... thought of OC when I saw it..

There are two large ponds.. the larger is the first you come to - Douster Pond.  Douster and Island Pond were constructed in Victorian times by damming Douster Brook.  16 Species of dragonfly were recorded from the ponds and it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Very ornate stonework in many places..

and a steep drop where the water flows rapidly down

and the next is Island Pond

and in the Wild Garden..

And this is the gate.. held up by a tireless squirrel...

Back at the car, a Robin was waiting for me...

Mostly Mallards out on the ponds, and one Great Crested Grebe and one coot!

 - heard a chiffchaff and on the feeders by the Visitor Centre was a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  Quite light of birds except for a family of Great Tits.

A pleasant visit and one I'll repeat to discover more - and a July visit for Dragon flies is on the cards!