A Landmark Encounter......Day 11

 We wanted to end the trip with just a fun day with no real wildlife watching planned so decided on a trip to The Landmark Adventure Park in Carrbridge.

 Before setting off though I had time to get the trail cam in from the garden and check for any footage filmed. There were quite a few clips recorded throughout the night so excitement took over. 

Wondering why the camera had started recording, then a bit into the video clip you will see. 

 Yes, there were numerous springy Field Mice bouncing around on the lawn.

 Hoping that all 20 clips were not all Field Mice I continued through them. I shouted Majella, Pine Marten. Finally on the penultimate night a Pine Marten graced our camera. It spent a few minutes snacking on the peanuts before hobbling off with what looked like a limp.

 An awesome sight for us though not exactly a welcome sight on the farm with all the poultry around. With just tonight left I would have to try and get views of my own before we leave the next morning.

 After the excitement of the Pine Marten we made our way to Carrbridge and the park. First we had a quick look at the Old Packhorse Stone Bridge in the village.Built in 1717 it's the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands.

 We left the bridge and arrived just up the road at the Landmark Adventure Park. Due to it still being in Winter season, the park entrance fee was still reduced as not all the attractions are open, but still plenty to see and do, though we were disappointed the Red Squirrel woodland was all closed.

 Our first stop was at the Wonderwood Crazy Cabins. Always good for a laugh.

 Next to the cabins was the new animatronic Dinosaur Kingdom.

 It was a pretty good exhibition and a definite for anyone interested in Dinosaurs.

 A few clips showing the animatronics in action.

 A new type of Dinosaur hatching. Yes it was my 50th recently.😉😂

 Just across the courtyard from the Dinosaur Kingdom was another new attraction since we last visited and that was the Tropical Hot House. Chinese Painted Quail ran through the vegetation, numerous Butterflies(Swallowtails, Clippers, Mormons, Morphos & Postman) fluttered by and there were also Frogs and lots of Owl Butterfly caterpillars which fascinated us.

 Owl Butterfly Caterpillars.

 These were actually real even though their movement looked animatronic.

 The information board explaining the benefits for the farmers around the world and the conservation benefits too.

 We left the warmth of the Butterfly House and walked and stood at the bottom of the wooden fire tower, contemplating whether we could make it up the 105 steps or not. We decided to give it a go as no one else was around so we could take our time if my knees rebelled against me.

 We made it.On reaching the top we used the binoculars to scan the trees for birds or Red Squirrels but didn't need them as we both gasped and held our breaths as a female Crossbill flew up and landed on the wooden railing just a few feet away.I actually had to carefully step backwards so I could raise my camera without spooking her and get a photo or two.Fortunately she trusted us enough to not immediately depart and gave us a couple of minutes of her time.

 Well, that was definitely worth the aching knees. Another mind-blowing Natural World encounter, a Landmark encounter you might say. 😉

Before we left we went into Bamboozeleum, more fun illusions to interact with.

Yes, your worst nightmare, two of me 😉😂

 A hugely enjoyable fun day with the added extra of another amazing Scottish wildlife encounter.It was time to head back to Tulloch, sort out my photos and get hopefully ready for some more wildlife at the farm.

 

 When there's a knock on the door but it's an unexpected guest.

 We had tea, Majella watched tv as i sorted out things on the laptop while glancing out of the kitchen window every few seconds from my chair. For the next few hours nothing arrived and approaching midnight, Majella went to bed leaving me in the dark staring out of the window. It was just 10 minutes later when I rushed as softly as I could into the bedroom and let her know that we had a visitor.

 The Pine Marten was back and this time we didn't require the trail cam to see it.

We watched from the kitchen window as it hoovered up the peanuts and a bit of bread and jam I had left out.

 It was the same Pine Marten from the previous night as this one was also limping as well as having the end of it's bushy tail missing.I also recognised the 3 dots in it's pale bib that the one on the trail cam had.

 It fed for a few minutes, nervously glancing around and then took off into the darkness. What a fantastic last day at Tulloch. We would be leaving in the morning heading back South but hopefully it won't be another 2 years before we return.

 One last Scotland blog to come as we travel through Glencoe, Callander and Stirling.

Photos by Stuart Pike & Majella Fox 

Thank you so, so much for all the time you've spent reading my blog, browsing the photos and watching the video clips. I hope you've enjoyed it.

Stay safe.Happy travels, wherever you go.

Scotland 2020 - Day 6 - Farewell

  Sadly our last day in the Highlands and so with a 10hr drive back South the next day we stayed fairly close to the farm.We had a short drive along Glen Spean and then up the Great Glen.

  A86 Glen Spean views

  We headed back and up to Fort Augustus to look for Red Grouse on the moors.We saw a couple fly by as well as a hunting Kestrel.

  No matter what the weather or time of year it is there is always a beautiful light in Scotland unlike anywhere else we've been.

  Loch Lochy

  We stopped at the Commando Memorial monument at Spean Bridge to take in our last views of the Nevis range.

  The Commando memorial dedicated to the British Commandos of WW2 

  We returned to the far to pack things for our departure the next morning but still put out the trail cam for one last session.The Pine Marten must've been watching and waiting in the shadows as less than 5 minutes after setting up the camera and going indoors the Marten appeared.It's earliest arrival time so far, 7.30pm so we were able to watch from the kitchen window.

  Some more trail cam footage of this wonderful elusive mammal.

  I also finally recorded proof of our apple thief lol 

                              

  The trail cam was still set up in the morning while we finished packing and picked up some of the garden birds.

  The Blackbirds
                              

  The Robins

  With a heavy heart we left to head back down to Lincolnshire.Hopefully we will get the chance to return again.

   

  Since returning home we have received the devastating news from Margo & Robert that my favourite boy Tug had to be put to sleep.We are so thankful we got to share part of our lives with him and spend one last time with him again.He was such a beautiful and gentle soul who will be sadly missed. RIP Tug  😪     

                                                                                      

  Thank you to all who have read any of my blogposts and watched the clips.I hope you have enjoyed the journey with us.

  Bye til next time, Beannachd Leat 🙏

  

Scotland 2020 - Day 4 - Eagles, Martens & Potter

  For day 4 we headed to the stunning West coast along the A830, "The Road To The Isles". Our first stop was Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument and Viaduct.

  Glenfinnan viaduct made more famous from been used as the route to Hogwarts in Harry Potter.

  The Glenfinnan Monument, a memorial to the people who fought in the Jacobite risings in 1745.

  Loch Shiel with a handy bench to view the scenery(if you have wellies)

 

  To the left of the monument entrance there is a boardwalk that takes you around a marsh and woodland area so we had a quick stroll along it til the boardwalk became part of the Loch.

  Spring was most certainly in the Highlands as Common Frogs were everywhere along with clusters of frog spawn.

  Back in the Monument car park we had the pleasure of this Robin's company.

  We continued West til we reached the scenic Loch Eilt with it's small islands including Eilean Na Moine which was used as Dumbledore's grave (yes this post does seem to becoming a Harry Potter location tour) 

  I tried to get a photo quickly as a hail storm began and hurt like hell lol 

  Loch nan Uamh was always worthy of a stop in the layby as we had spotted numerous Great Northern Divers here before.Today we had Cormorants and a few Seals on the distant rocks. While scanning the water for life this Song Thrush appeared out of the scrub nearby.

  The next place worth exploring is one of our favourite places.As you turn off the A830 to Arisaig there is a single track road to Rhu.A fabulous little road that takes in all the inlets letting you scan for waders and ending with a stunning view across to Rum and Eigg.

  It's an amazing place to stop and sit in the car having lunch while watching the wildlife around the West coast.A Curlew foraged among the seaweed, a Grey Heron fished from the rocks and a Hooded Crow using it's high intelligence to hover in the wind with a shellfish, dropping it on to the rocky beach below to be rewarded with a small meal.

  Grey Heron fishing the bay.

  A pair of glorious Stonechats flew from the field behind to land in the scrub before us.

  Male Stonechat

  I usually look for Raptors along this road too as there are usually Buzzards and Kestrels nearby but I didn't expect the flying barn door to appear from over the hill and glide calmly by us.

  White-tailed Eagle near Arisaig.

  What a spectacular sight :) 

  We made it into Mallaig just as the wind had blown a snowstorm in from the sea, obscuring the view over to Rum.

                             

  Staying in the car we watched the waves crashing into the shore and waited for the Snow to die down before walking into the harbour.

  Herring and Black-backed Gulls filled the air and Eiders and a solitary Black Guillemot drifted on the undulating sea.

  Black Guillemot

  Fishermen were working on their boats anchored to the harbour walls which had interested the local Grey Seal popuation.
  Photo by Majella Fox

  As more snow was forecast to hit the West coast we decided it was time to head back and beat the coming storm.
  Tug and Shadow were waiting on our arrival back to the farm.
Tug who we sadly lost this week.

  Shadow

  The trail camera was not surprisingly put out again but placed further up the lawn and nearer the cabin in hope of getting views from the kitchen.
  The Pine Marten didn't disappoint.

  Later during the night you can see the Snow arrived, though the Rabbits didn't seem too bothered as they made off with all the apples lol 

                             

  Thanks again for joining us on our trip in Scotland.I hope you are enjoying me sharing about Scotland's amazing wildlife and scenery.

Day 5 is all about the Snow and a train. See you then :)