Raptor Reward

Friday April 27

Good to get up on a sunny morning, not too cold either.  

It's only a 30 minute drive from Kinross to Loch of the Lowes. a Scottish Wildlife Nature Reserve. Primarily set up for protecting the Osprey nest on the far side of the Loch, it's much more than that. A good footpath allows one to walk the banks of the lake hrough the well established birch and oak woodland, Wood Anemones carpeting the ground beneath.The small Centre has a seated viewing space overlooking the feeding station where one can enjoy a hot drink whilst viewing.

We started on the ground floor of the tower hide, about thirty yards from the centre. The near vertical stairs are too difficult for me at the moment. We had the floor to ourselves as most people go upstairs, from the noise I guess it was full. as usual. There was the female Osprey, huddled down on the three eggs she has laid this year. 

This is a well established pair, no names, just numbers. I think they're missing a PR opportunity there. Scanning the rest of the loch we found a pair of Great Crested Grebes, Goldeneye, Mute Swans and about thirty Black-headed Gulls - not a common sight in the Highlands. The Grebes were doing the head shaking part of the courtship display, the male breaking away to dive and return with a present. Half a yard of green weed. Will I ever see the 'dance across the water' bit ? Not to-day.

As we were thinking of leaving, the male Osprey flewin, perching on a tree lower than but fairly near to, the nest. He spent his time preening and was still there when we eventually left. 

Pam directed my attention to a spiralling raptor over the ridge. A Golden Eagle. Excellent. As enjoyable was a pair of Buzzards, the male performing an exuberant ' I feel good, isn't it a lovely morning' display flight.

At the viewing area, we added Yellowhammer, Coal Tit, Siskin, Reed Bunting, Goldcrest and a dozen Chaffinches to the list. 

Pam called me over to view a Short-tailed Field Vole (I was told) running about under the window, too close for a photo. She'd been shown it by a voluntary warden we'd got talking to.

Taking the back road to re-join the A9, a Sparrowhawk flew across in front of the car fast disappearing down rhe valley.

With time to spare, we turned off towards Killicrankie, stopping at the Queen's View forest centre. The ubiquitous Siskins calling everywhere - and a very loud circular saw. We soon left , taking  the A9 north before taking the Kingussie turn off. I'd arranged to meet Tom at his home here, he's the Butterfly Conservation Officer for the Highland and Islands and was keeping me a pheromone lure for Kentish Glory moths. YES !!!

Tom was on the phone, taking the time to ask us in for a coffee. Lure delivered, he asked where we were from. He worked at Strumpshaw reserve with Mike Blackburn before moving to the Orkneys, then Shetlands, then here. 

Via the Aviemore Health Centre to make an appointment to have my INR tested next Thursday - as requested by my doctor - and a long form to fill in, driving through a sleet and then hail shower, we arrived at the cottage to find that the heating wasn't on. The living room heater is broken and all but one of the others switched off. That's the responsibility of Speyside Property Services. Pam rang them, left a message on the answerphone and five minutes later, two reps arrived. Very impressive.