Scotland 2020 - Day 5 - Train to Snow-where ;)

We awoke on our 5th day in Scotland to the wintry scene below.
 View from our cabin window.

  The roads were unpassable this morning so instead of staying indoors we decided to have a walk along the Spean River which passes through the field below.

  Hamish and Lucy also decided they had nothing better to do and so joined us on our walk. lol

  After returning to the cabin and still undecided on what to do I spent a bit of time with the garden birds. Siskins, Chaffinches, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Blackbirds and Robins all took advantage of the food we had put out.

                             

  After a check with Margo on the farm, news was the road was better and we could actually drive out of the farm.We didn't want to go far so checked the train timetable and found we could catch the train from Roybridge a couple of miles away to the remote Rannoch station.

  It was a breath taking 40 minute journey through the Moor and alongside Loch Treig.Black Grouse flew alongside for a few seconds and there was nothing but snow and ice as we reached Corrour's remote station house.Below are a couple of snippets of the journey taken on the phone.

                              

                              

  The train continues on down to Glasgow but not surprisingly we were the only two to disembark during the blizzard at Rannoch.We crunched through the snow along the platfrom and immediately noticed the herd of Red Deer just the other side of the track.

  While I was photographing the Deer, Majella noticed a couple of birds in the trees nearby.She pointed them out to me and we realised it was a pair of Crossbills.We watched them intently for over 10 minutes during which at one point they flew down on to the snowy platform just feet away from us.

  Our best ever encounter with Crossbills.

  The station tearoom was open so we headed inside out of the snow for a warming drink.

  Rannoch Station.

  With 2.5hrs before the train returns from Glasgow and takes us back to Roybridge and nothing but snow before us we headed over the track and on to Rannoch Moor. There was nothing but Snow, ice and Deer.

  Being someone who spends ages on a walk searching through scrub for bug life my slightly trained eye caught movement in the snow.At first I was amazed that an invertebrate was up here in heavy snow and -2c temperatures.I had heard of Snow fleas that can survive such harsh environments but this wasn't one of them.Fortunately Dr George McGavin was able to confirm for me that it was a species of Stonefly larvae.

                              

  It was time to leave this Winter wonderland and head back to the station.The Deer had moved around and were now situated along the lane and outside the station entrance so we slowly walked passed them hoping not to spook them.

They just gazed at us while continuing to chew loudly.

  This Hind was scraping the Lichen from the fence.

  We could hear the horn of the approaching train just as a Pheasant thought it was a good time to stroll alongside the track.Fortunately he did move just before the train arrived.

  Our way out of Rannoch and back to Roybridge.

  There was a stunning late afternoon light from the Winter Sun making it another mesmerising journey back.I tried to take a few photos of this desolate snowy landscape through the carriage windows on the return journey.It was akin to been North of the wall in Game Of Thrones.

                              

  As we returned through Tulloch and into Roybridge we could hardly believe that all but a few patches of Snow had thawed since we left.A Male Siskin honoured us with his presence as we walked back to the car.

  I urge anyone who stays in the Fort William, Spean Bridge area to think about jumping on the train to Rannoch.It was a stunning wilderness and something we will definitely do again if we make it back to Tulloch.

Thanks so much again for taking time out of your lives to view my blog. :) 

Only 1 day left as we wind down the Scotland trip with more night-time trail cam footage and a short drive up the Great Glen.

Tales From The Highlands

Day 1 - The Journey

  Despite only 2-3 hours sleep we woke with the excitement and enthusiasm of two kids heading of to Disneyland.The enthusiasm though quickly diminished when hit with the reality of the 9hr+ car journey ahead.We packed the car with probably enough stuff for a months expedition to the Amazon and set off as daylight approached.
  Not surprisingly the first birds of the trip were the Rooks.The noisy neighbours making sure the whole Rookery knew it was time to get up.Heading West on the M180 it wasn't long before I saw my first Raptor was spotted, a lone Buzzard surveying a field also accommodated by a Roe Deer.
  Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Wood Pigeons, Magpies, Pheasants, Black-headed Gulls, a Robin and a Blackbird were all seen along the motorway.Majella mentioned she was cold so I turned up the car heater saying it's not cold but then noticed a field of black and white cows and said "I guess you were right, it's Fresian out there!" ;)
  In a field off the A1 it was great to see a couple of Hares still going mad chasing each other, obviously no one had told them it was now April.About 20 minutes from Scotch Corner and I saw my first waders, a couple of Oystercatchers in a field among 12 Greylag Geese.Our first pit stop was in fact Scotch Corner.A Rabbit chewed on the grass by the car park while Dunnocks and House Sparrows looked for scraps dropped by the hungry motorists.
  I also found 2 Common Quaker moths on the windows of the services, my first moths of the year.

  The next section, West over the Dales on the A66 was always a good place to look for birdlife.Tricky to do at 60mph but scanning the fields and dry stone walls produced lots of Lapwings, Starlings, Curlews, Mute Swans, a Moorhen and a Red-Legged Partridge before we hit Penrith.

  As we headed up the M74 towards Glasgow I saw my first Swift of the year, unfortunately it was a caravan ;) While driving through the traffic near Glasgow I saw Feral Pigeons, Mallards, Pied Wagtail and Buzzards 3,4 and 5 of the trip so far.
  Turning off near Stirling on to the A84 took us close by the Argaty Red Kite feeding station at Doune.We didn't have time to visit but did manage to spot a Red Kite circling on the thermals on the hills.After lunch at a very busy Callander we then stopped half hour down the road at Killin and Dochart Falls.

  Following Buzzard number 6 and a Canada Goose in a lochan on Rannoch Moor we headed into Glencoe.
  Looking back down towards Bridge Of Orchy.

  Rainbow over Rannoch Moor.

  No matter how many times we drive through Glencoe, you cannot fail to be blown away by its magnificence.

  Through Glencoe and only 15 miles to Fort William.Another bird sighting, this time a Grey Heron fishing the shoreline of Loch Linnhe.We stopped for food at Fort William then continued on to the farm near Roybridge.
  We unpacked and did the important things first like say "Hi" to the horses and put out the bird food.I had a short walk down to the river at the bottom of the field.Majella came out to meet me after a while and said she could hear a Tawny Owl calling from the trees on the opposite bank.

  A tiring journey up but great to to back here in the Scottish Highlands.The day ended with Whisky and Match Of The Day :)

  Thank you for reading my blog and hopefully I will be able to share our trip with you over the next week.

Kindest regards
Stuart