Shewalton Woods

Sadly the Covid19 restrictions have meant that cycling gets me much further than my preferred walking so I have prioritised it, 400 miles this month, not bad. So for walking, the question goes how far can you reasonably walk from home to get at nature? I realistically have 4 options.

1. Head north towards Irvine via the beach or Western Gailes golf course.
2. Head south towards Prestwick via the beach and Royal Troon golf course.
3. Head slightly SE to the Smugglers path to Dundonald.
4. Head slightly NE to Shewalton woods, can be extended via River Irvine walkway.

Tourist noticeboards

Today was the Shewalton woods trail. I know this wood well but do not come as often as I should. This is my walking snobbery. I have been spoilt with so many fantastic locations across Scotland when walking. To me this wood always seemed unclean and dirty, not naturally wild. Probably because it is hemmed in by industry. 

Side path dry today but can be extremely muddy

If you think of it as a triangle on one side this is due to the large paper-mill with at times huge plumes of steam/smoke belching out of its chimneys, so much you think it must be about to explode. A railway line with rusting wagons and a timber yard operation. 

It's been a long time since they changed a trains line

On the next flank the water treatment works and the GKN chemical factory with its invasive wind turbines.

A blue sky invader

Finally the last flank is the huge Hillhouse quarry whose mining operations covers the woods in dust and whatever.

Birches starting to green up

But I am so wrong, the woods are wild and natural, a wildlife oasis and long may it remain. Spring is here and the trees are full of blossom as they move away from the dark winter garb. 

Male Orange Tip

Early butterflies are out seeking their partners, flying fast, criss-crossing their patch, very territorial, brilliant to watch.

Chaffinch

Resident birds are being taken over by the incoming migrants. All singing for partners in their spring finery, scruffs don't win out in this world.

Life emerging

It is looking likely that we will be isolated for some time so i will be returning here regularly.

A fluffed up  House Sparrow

So for now I will leave the history of the woods for another blog and leave this one simply with some pictures of my walk and some of the natural world that inhabits it.