I was up at before stupid o’clock this morning and it was
freezing -3c on the car temperature gauge. What was I doing! I was on a small
journey to Loch Garten to join a few other nutcases in the hope of seeing my
first Capercaillie. As I got closer to the loch I hit thick fog which surely
was not going to increase the chances of seeing this species.
The Osprey centre opens at 5.30am to allow the opportunity
to witness the males leking during April and May. The fog which stayed around
right up to the finishing bell at 8am (when the centre closes before re opening
at 10am) was almost a sure thing of not seeing any birds and the second piece
of bad news was that no bird had been seen since 17th April. Prior
to that two males had been seen one an old resident and what appeared to be a
younger male which could make proceedings a big lively if there is a female to
scrap over!
The pair of Osprey entertained in patches. The centre has
the nest site covered from all angles by CCTV. Volunteers also monitor the nest
from a smaller hide 24/7. It was a shame the weather had spoilt any chance of
seeing the birds but it was time to depart but there was time to watch a pair of Goldeneye displaying before
going into Aviemore to get some breakfast and some supplies. Before Aviemore I spied some Red
breasted Merganser off a bridge over the Spey and stopped to capture the
moment.
I returned to Loch Garten semi refreshed. The sun had broken
through and was warming the place up nicely! On with plan B find Crested Tit
another life bird for me. I watched the feeders for a while and then parked in
the car park where the pathway leads down to Loch Mallachie. This circular walk
is good for Crested tit and Crossbill.
I had walked a circuit without any views of either species when
I decided to walk the water edge and bingo a Crested tit was flitting around on
the low branches to the pines. At last I had almost given up on seeing this
species for the day!
Late afternoon I returned to the Findhorn Valley in search
of a Golden Eagle but was as unsuccessful as everyone else that had been
walking the area. Peregrines, Sand Martin, Wheatear, Curlew, Black and Red
Grouse kept me entertained as did an Oystercatcher squawking away sat on the
roof of The Bank of Scotland back in Aviemore. Perhaps it was look out!!
No comments:
Post a Comment