Loch O' Lowes Scottish Wildlife Reserve doesn't open until 10.00. As it was only 12 miles from our Travelodge, we didn't leave until 9.10. Then, our planned breakfast at Tesco's became a takeaway and the kitchen staff were excruciatingly slow. Takeaway because the cafe was upstairs and we had a shopping trolley. They didn't have the sort of stairs which take a trolley - Gt Yarmouth does.
Both of us were hungry after scrappy and minimal cold food yesterday, I only had porridge pot, a muffin and a diet bar all day. We ate our very nice bacon rolls in the car park, whilst they were still hot.
Pam drove almost to the door of the Loch o' Lowes Centre, using the disabled parking area. As I got out, Redpoll flew overhead, their trilling buzz unmistakeable. This reserve is best known for its Osprey nest, long deserted by now, the adults already on their wintering grounds in west Africa. We enjoy watching the feeders from the Centre windows, especially if a delightful Red Squirrel pays a visit.
We had the window to ourselves for much of the time, an older Scottish couple and four American visitors came and went. Not as much variety of species as in the spring but well into the teens in the number of Coal Tits.
I prefer to photograph birds and animals in their natural habitat rather than at the feeders. Try telling that to the Coal Tits and Red Squirrels. They all have ADHD. Add to it that Coal Tits are bullied by other birds, especially Chaffinches, and you have an impossible situation. They snatch and run - and so do I with my camera. Not a good photo, yet the best I managed.
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| Wren - the first and only photograph I've taken of this species |
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| Male Great Spotted Woodpecker |
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| A Carrion Crow had learned to flap its wings madly long enough to grab a peanut before flying off with it. |
The loch held Great Crested Grebes, Goldeneyes, Tufted Duck and Mute Swan. My camera shutter stuck in the closed position, I was unable to take any more photos. Very disappointing and rather worrying. I fiddled with various things when I got back to the car. It's working again !
Both Redpoll and Siskin flitted in the tree tops, calling constantly.
The A9 to Aviemore passes through miles of bleak wet moorland and high mountain territory, with very little wildlife in view. One Buzzard and a few Carrion Crows only.
Through Aviemore to the familiar and homely Carrbridge, where they are celebrating the 300th anniversary of their much photographed pack horse bridge. Would Station Road, famed for its bird feeders, bearing Crested Tits in the winter, be true to its reputation? Not to-day.
Pam is an excellent fungus spotter. These are not named yet, I find it very difficult and only have a pocket sized ID book. All photos taken from the car - some 'farming' needed to remove twigs etc.
This is where the pretty way comes in.......Pam does not resist the compulsion to drive to Lochindorb, even though this is not a good birding time there. But, the trees look lovely at the moment, the Birches in particular dressed in varying shades of yellow. What would 'her tree' look like? Great, especially as the sun came out burnishing its golden yellow even brighter against a purple hill beyond and the grey Loch below. I took some pics on Pam's camera for her, I had the better angle.
Through Aviemore to the familiar and homely Carrbridge, where they are celebrating the 300th anniversary of their much photographed pack horse bridge. Would Station Road, famed for its bird feeders, bearing Crested Tits in the winter, be true to its reputation? Not to-day.
Pam is an excellent fungus spotter. These are not named yet, I find it very difficult and only have a pocket sized ID book. All photos taken from the car - some 'farming' needed to remove twigs etc.
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| Grey Birch Bolete ? |
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| Must be tasty to something.......... |
This is where the pretty way comes in.......Pam does not resist the compulsion to drive to Lochindorb, even though this is not a good birding time there. But, the trees look lovely at the moment, the Birches in particular dressed in varying shades of yellow. What would 'her tree' look like? Great, especially as the sun came out burnishing its golden yellow even brighter against a purple hill beyond and the grey Loch below. I took some pics on Pam's camera for her, I had the better angle.
A Merlin whizzed across our path as we approached, a really lucky chance encounter. Two seconds either way would have been a miss. Six Red Grouse in total, one of them almost black when first encountered, with bright white, fluffy legs and feet. Weird.
Roadside parking for the Grant Arms where we were greeted and dealt with very pleasantly. The lift is as archaic as the building. We are on the second floor, in room 213, a short walk from the lift. The latter has a heavy, folded plastic concertina outside door with a latticed ironwork door inside. Both have to be closed after entering and on leaving. If anyone forgets to do it on leaving, the lift is marooned where it's left. That happened to us on the way to dinner. Pam had to climb to the 3rd floor to bring it down. A few minutes late for our 6.30 meal I mentioned this to our waitress. She shuddered and said that she'd only used it once, it gave her the creeps. Most reassuring.
We were tempted by the talk on Mountain Burnet moth at 8.30 but decided not to go. I'd read all about the several new locations of this rare moth found by to-night's speaker and the substance of his lecture. Now, if he'd brought a specimen........
Weatherwise, a much better day than expected from the forecast . A little light rain early morning followed by grey overcast with a short sunny spell.
North coast is planned for to-morrow for sea ducks and Sainsbury's.
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