Bob gets an award for watching the birds

Birdman of Malleny rewarded

Bob McHardy has been surveying birds at Malleny Garden in Balerno for almost eight years, and now his valuable work has been recognized by the property owners, The National Trust for Scotland.

The annual study has involved volunteer Bob in numerous early mornings, so he can hear the dawn chorus, and hours of detailed logging. As a result a comprehensive record of bird breeding habits in the gardens in Balerno has been compiled, which helps the Trust to manage the property and study the effects of climate change.

The Trust’s Nature Conservation Adviser, Lindsay Mackinlay, presented Bob with a Birdmike, a device that records and helps identify species, and praised his efforts.

“Bob has worked with us for a number of years and the annual survey is invaluable as a way to check on our property management. We can’t thank him enough for all his good work in all weathers! Volunteers are essential in the conservation work carried out by the Trust.”

Malleny Garden is renowned for their peace and tranquility, while the surrounding woodlands are ideal habitats for many species of birds. Situated off the Lanark Road (A70) in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh the walled gardens are a hidden gem. Home to productive vegetable and herb gardens they can also boast splendid four hundred year old clipped yew trees.

It is open daily, all year round from 10.00 until 17.00, or dusk if earlier.