All's Well That..........

 Thursday May 8

The day started at Culbin Forest where we could use our Kentish Glory lure for only the second time. Not with any real faith, the lure is very old and is reputed not to have been the best when new. Back we went to the same area as previously (10+ years ago), to find that the trees had grown tremendously, The Glory prefers stands of young birch, well spread out. 

Broomhill Bridge has always been an absolute certainty for Dipper. Dozens of Sand Martins were zipping about, no Dipper.

Dorback next, the only birds two different male Stonechats.

 

Dulnain river is never an easy view. The road is very busy and one has to cross metal guard fencing to reach the river wall. We don't do that any more! Pam saw a distant Common Sandpiper, out of sight for me. The hoped for Dipper and Grey Wagtail were not seen. 

We then took a previouisly unknown and very pleasant B road to Carrbridge. Halfway there, our second Golden Eagle flew past overhead, hassled buy a smaller bird - as always. I was amused by this sign heralding our approach.

 


No sign of any Black Grouse at the usual site, straight on to Lochindorb.  Our previous visit did not show us any Red Grouse, today, Pam soon saw a young bird very close to the road - and it actually stayed whilst we photographed it.

 


No birds at all on the near end of Lochindorb, we soon moved on. Parking at the top end of the loch, sideways on so that I could scope, the first bird I saw was a Black-throated Diver. Brilliant, Very distant, good enough through the scope, a silly photo.

 


Pam wanted to return to the Black Grouse site. We set 6.30 as the final waiting time. At 6.28, Pam got out to put my scope back in the car. A last look as she got back into the driving seat and a cry of ' I've got them'. Five, possibly six, male Black Grouse appeared from apparently nowhere, on top of their lekking hill. What a wonderful end to the day. Their distance from a busy road gives them the peace they need.

 


 


We were not in until 7.30, happy and tired. A quiet day tomorrow.

The wonderful full stop. Man U beat Atletico 5 -1 on the night to go into the final  of the Europa Cup. 8-1 on aggregate.


 

 

 

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