Home From Home........Day 5

 It was time to leave Elgin and the Moray coast and head back South(but not too far as to get too close to the Welcome to England sign 😉). We drove down, cutting across Inverness-shire spending just a few minutes on the A9 before turning off and then South on the B851 towards Fort Augustus.

 As we were coming this way we decided we would check out RSPB Loch Ruthven just in case any Grebes had arrived earlier than expected. It is known as one of the best places in the UK to spot breeding Slavonian Grebes. Unsurprisngly there was no one else there and part of the Loch was covered in a thin layer of ice. The rest was perfectly still making it ideal for spotting movement on the water.

 As we headed up the small winding path ripples betrayed a skulking bird on the edge of the loch. We stood still as it drifted into sight. It was indeed a Slavonian Grebe, still in it's Winter plumage.

 Fantastic to see as we thought we were a bit too early. A few Tufted Ducks were also on the loch and a Robin bounced around the wooded path. On the way back to the car we spotted a pair of flighty Stonechats, our first of the year.

 Continuing our journey we scanned the skies for Raptors and saw a couple of Buzzards and the fields held several Highland Coos. This one having his afternoon nap.

The B851 runs just West of Loch Mhor so it was always worth checking out for more Waterfowl. As we approached the end of the loch we were greeted with the sight of hundreds of Pink-footed Geese.

 A few minutes later as we passed the Knockie Estate two more Raptors were flying towards our position.We pulled to the side of the road to try and get a better view. As they got closer we could clearly see the size of them and I shouted Eagles. Two White-tailed Eagles glided over us and continued East towards Loch Killin.

 Woohoo, Otters, Slavonian Grebes and White-tailed Eagles over two days and we hadn't even gotten to our main accommodation for the week yet. This is why Scotland is the best place 😉😀

 One of the reasons we come on this road is it takes you over moorland before going down to the edge of Loch Ness and Fort Augustus and so it is a good place to look for Red Grouse. We stopped at the main layby which was crowded with tourists, some of them wandering through the heather so thought it would be tricky to find any nearby. Among the dull Winter heather though the bright red eyebrows of a Red Grouse are easily spotted. A group of 6 moving alongside one of the fences.

View from the B851 layby where we watched the Red Grouse.

 It was just another 45 minutes down through Fort Augustus to Fort William to pick up some shopping and then half hour back up to Glen Spean and to the farm.

 On arrival it felt amazing to be back after 2 years, it feels more like home than being at our house in Lincolnshire.We were greeted by our wonderful hosts, Robert and Margo and the accompanying menagerie.

 It is the first time I've been back since the heart-breaking loss of Tug but this trio managed to put a smile on my face. Georgie, Shadow and Neville were happy to see us.

 I also found an instant new friend in their lodger, Chester. 

Thanks as always for spending your precious time browsing my wildlife blog 😀

I do hope you enjoyed it.

Much more to come over the next week with trips to Mull, the West coast and the Cairngorms as well as plenty of wildlife at the farm.

Til tomorrow 🙏😊

 

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 :)