Travel Day 3

 Saturday May 3

Loch of the Lowes has been a favourite visit for some years now. After last year's underwhelming experience, we considered skipping it this year.There had been few birds on the loch and even fewer on the centre feeders. After a short debate, we decided to give it another go - as it will be the last time.The dealing with car unpacking etc is just too much for us. Pam's arthritis in her shoulders and hands coupled with her bearing the brunt of driving, carrying, cooking etc. makes life too difficult. Once we're here, that's fine. Mike adapted the cottage for his elderly and infirm  parents. There are very few places suitable for the disabled available, so MIke has done rather well out of a simple idea.

Today, we arrived at the Scottish Wildlife Reserve, Loch of the Lowes, near Dunkeld before its rather late opening time of 10.30. We are able to access the hides, but not the centre, We used the ground floor section of the nearest hide, looking across the loch to the massive Osprey nest on top of a Scots Pine on the far shore. All we could see was the female's head and shoulders, constantly on the alert, looking around. This is a young couple who don't seem to quite know what they are about. Since the previous male died, the old female has flirted with several partners and, this year, has moved away.There are no eggs as yet,  although the young pair seem to be doing all the right things.

 Apart from several groups of noisy Mallard, the loch was devoid of birds. Until Pam noticed a pair of Goosanders asleep near the opposite bank.

Three Great Crested Grebes eventually floated into view, from where they had been hidden in thick vegetation.

After the last few weeks of warm sun at home. I remembered what winter felt like when I got out of the car. It was time to repair to the centre for a hot chocolate, whilst watching the feeding area, perched in front of a large sheet of glass. Siskin, Chaffinch, Coal Tits, and a Goldfinch fed on the seeds, grotty looking Mallard waiting below for their cast outs. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in, taking its nut up a nearby tree.

 Nuthatch, Willow Warbler, Wren and Great Tit sang, but remained unseen.

As we drove north, cloud cover increased and we had rain showers, it's been a bit windy all day. We did a basic food shop in a Tesco before taking the road down to Burghead. The sea was a cobalt blue mass of white-topped rollers, angrily and impatiently smashing into the rocky shore.on the incoming tide . Not much hope of seeing anything on the water, Gannets flew through as did a few gulls. We both enjoy watching the sea, peaceful and exhilarating at the same time.

Mike, the owner, carried everything in for us, checking the need for shower stools etc before leaving us to settle in.