Day 3

Saturday April 27 

Another 9 a.m. departure.  Our first stop was Loch of the Lowes, a Scottish Wildlife Reserve, based around a pair of nesting Ospreys. The present incumbents have laid three eggs, the female's head was visible above the edge of the mass of twigs which makes up the nest.

 

The nest is high up in a tree on the opposite side of the loch to where the hides are situated. We use one of the ground floor hides - no ladders  - room for only about eight people. A female Goldeneye kept us amused, constantly diving for food in front of the hide, if never really close. 

 

After an hour of watching her, a female Long-tailed Duck flew in to join the Tufted Ducks and Great Crested Grebes at the far end of the loch. Even more exciting, the male Osprey flew in around the back of the trees before landing on the edge of the nest. He didn't bring a fish, and stayed with his back to us the whole time he was there.

 

The sun appeared once, for a very short time. The rest of our time here was under heavy grey overcast. Not conducive for photography. Cold to the bone, there was an icy wind coming off the water, we retired to the centre, where we sat in front of a picture window watching bird feeders. Siskin, Chaffinch, Blue, Great and Coal Tits and a Nuthatch squabbled on the feeders

 

 Dunnock, Mallard and a Pheasant fed on the feed below, strewn by the profligate feeders.

 

No Red Squirrel visit today, it was time for us to leave. The next part of the drive was real Highlands. Ever higher mountains, fewer  trees, extensive moorland and an increasing amount of snow on the tops. As planned, we left the A9 at the Aviemore turnoff, driving through the town itself where the amount of housing erected since last year was astonishing. It really is spreading at an alarming rate.

We checked the river at Carrbridge, no birds, then took the Lochindorb road. No Black Grouse at their lek. No divers on Lochindorb, but our first dainty little Common Sandpipers of the year.

 

Our first ever Red Kite here drifted lazily over the plantation, using its aileron tail to manage its position. With Pam's good eyesight, we found two Red Grouse on the ridge a distance from the road. Almost bird of the day was a lovely male Whinchat. Whilst we were parked, looking for the divers, it appeared in front of us, flitting from one heather clump to another, always only visible through the windscreen. It almost landed on the front bonnet. The windscreen distortion makes photos quite appalling.

The Common Gull nesting area at the top of the road is increasing too, pairs of birds sat well separated over a large area. Two probable male birds squabbled over who should sit on a variety of posts. The same bird chasing others off wherever they sat.

 

Pam shopped for tonight's meal and breakfast, before we made our way to Deer View Cottage. We had detailed instructions on how to find it, just as well. An unmarked, unmade and potholed lane over half a mile long ended in a yard in front of Ordies Farmhouse. Our approach was chaotic, two large labradors were running around barking whilst a man who turned out to be Mike, was trying to direct them away. He showed us into the Cottage - confusingly named 'The Bothy' on the outside. First impressions were ' This is lovely'. Nicely furnished, stone walls, warm and well equipped. Mike then went on to explain that he had renovated the building for his elderly parents, mother with Parkinson's, father with dementia. This meant that he had all the equipment necessary. He went off to find a stand for the loo. booster cushions for the chairs and to clean the moss from a flat area which would make a better entrance for my Rollator. Better than the gravel that is. Whilst he was using the jetwasher, he also cleaned our car. This place is ideal for us - apart from not seeing where or how we can put the moth trap.