Nature nut Bob’s run-in with a huge capercaillie
Award-winning play about foot and mouth outbreak comes to Blairgowrie
An award-winning play about the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 is to come to Blairgowrie next month.
And Then Come the Nightjars will be at Blairgowrie Town Hall on Friday, April 28.
Written by Bea Roberts and directed by Paul Robinson, the poignant drama is at times both heartbreaking and hilarious, charting the chaos that foot and mouth disease caused communities when it swept through the British countryside.
The play won the Theatre 503 Playwriting Award and tells the story of a vet and a farmer who have a begrudging respect for each other and a blossoming friendship based on sharing a fag, a nip of whisky and boisterous banter. But as foot and mouth sweeps through the countryside, the play shows how farmer Michael has to watch while vet Jeff shoots his beloved animals in what critics have described as a tender portrait of male friendship and a requiem to rural life.
Tickets can be booked through Perth Concert Hall for £11.50, which includes a £1.50 booking fee, or cost £10 on the door at the venue. No concessions. Suitable for over 12s. Local nature nut and wildlife enthusiast Bob Smith has been out and about in the local area and is keen to share with Blairie readers some of his experiences. In the latest in an occasional series exploring local wildlife, this week Bob looks at the capercaillie - one of Scotland’s rarest birds.
Bob said: “This is possibly one of Scotland’s most iconic birds and a joy to see.
“I have only seen this bird on a few occasions - once some 30 or more years ago in Meikleour Wood sitting in a tree above the lay-by at Littlelour.
“Unfortunately there are very few of these gorgeous birds left in Tayside, but there are some if you look hard enough.
“My first encounter with the ‘horse of the wood’ was when I was about seven years old and out with my dad for a walk.
“I had wandered ahead and entered a wood only to be confronted by this huge bird standing about the same height as me.
“These birds can grow up to just short of three feet and are very territorial as this one turned out to be!
“It ended up chasing me down the forest track, often in flight and always very close.
“I managed an escape, largely down to my dad grabbing me by the scruff of my neck and running full pelt out of the wood.
“I’m painting the caper in a rather bad light but if you are lucky enough to come across our largest grouse, give him space and enjoy the view.
“Seeing this truly majestic beast is something that happens only rarely, so if you do come across one treat it with respect.
“Ideally, visit Loch Garten where they have a dedicated hide if you wish to see this bird.
“On a recent tour in north west Perthshire, I was very lucky to come across this bird.
“I was actually out looking for crossbills but to say I was pleased at coming across the caper is an understatement.
“Hearing the distinctive ‘clop’ behind me pointed to only one bird the capercaillie.
“As I turned around I was confronted with the bird flying out of the trees at me, it landed and started displaying.
“I beat a hasty retreat and kept a respectable distance that allowed me to watch and photograph the bird without causing it distress.
“A chance meeting that I will relish for a long time.”