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.

30 Days Wild 2017 - Days 7-9

The latest triple header of "wild" days and I'm finally up to date lol

Day 7     Local Bug Hunting

  Had more work to do today so just popped to my local patch for an hour in the bushes ;) It's unbelievable how quickly time passes when you are up to your knees in nettles and brambles.
 Searching for Mini-beasts

  The first thing I found was this Yellowtail Moth Caterpillar on the brambles.

  It was shortly followed by another caterpillar that I did not recognise, about 15-20mm long.So if anyone knows just comment at the bottom, thanks :)

  There were numerous Butterflies in flight including Red Admiral, Brimstone & Speckled Wood.
  Brimstone Butterfly

  Speckled Wood Butterfly

  Disappointingly I only found two Moths.This Common Carpet and......

  lots of these Nemophora degreerellas 

  With the sun warming up Scorpion Flies were in abundance.

  Green Shieldbugs also covered the bramble leaves.

  The only Hoverfly to sit still long enough for me to photograph was this Volucella pellucens

  I also managed a quick pic of this Green Sawfly before it scuttled off further into the undergrowth.

  One of the beetles I was hoping to find was a Longhorn beetle and on one plant alone I found 16 Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetles :)

  There were hundreds if not thousands of Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies on the wing and mating.

  The highlight of the Bug Hunt though had to be finding this Hairy Dragonfly resting up in a large bush.

  It is amazing what you can miss on a Nature walk if you don't search the bushes and long grass as you go along.Just take a bit of extra time to look for some of these extraordinary mini-beats as well as looking up in the sky for birds.

Day 8    Village Woods Walk

  After another day of work the only bit of time we had was for a quick walk in the woods around our village before getting back home.

  I looked for some interesting Ents and found this small Oak tree.

  This Pine tree caught my eye with its 90 degree shift in its growth.

    The trails in the woods.

  It was great to get out for the walk even for just 15 minutes and something I probably wouldn't have bothered doing if it wasn't for the Wildlife Trusts #30DaysWild challenge.

Day 9     Swanning Around At The River

  I had to get into town this morning to pick up more medication for my numerous illnesses luckily we have the River Ancholme running alongside the market place.I spent a few minutes searching for the resident Mute Swans and found them a bit further up next to the Rowing Club.

  The proud parents now have 7 fluffy Cygnets (and a few adopted Mallards).

  Unfortunately a couple of adult Swans have been found shot on the river in recent months but the RSPCA refused to investigate or remove the bodies so hopefully this family will be able to stay away from the trouble.

  So two days with just 15 minutes in each to do something a bit "wild" and try to reconnect with Nature.This pain called work does get in the way a lot ;) Things will improve now though as no work for a while as tomorrow we head to Birmingham for a Wildlife Festival, followed by a week in Ireland and 2 days at the Farne Isles. :)

  Thanks again for opening my blogspot page to have a view, it is very much appreciated.

#GoWild

Stuart