The plan was to catch the first funicular up Cairngorm, at 10.00 a.m. We were there in plenty of time, the road climbing up through roadside snow patches reaching even more at car park level.
The train was packed ........us and two others. No birders and none arrived during our stay either. More eyes help. Straight to the viewing platform which had a thick layer of icy compacted snow to negotiate. The wind was horrendous, I could barely stand up - and it was icy cold. A male Snow Bunting flew onto the wall, appearing to cope very well with the conditions before deciding that we had nothing to offer him.
We managed about 10 minutes before retiring to the cafe. This is not the best place from which to look for Ptarmigan but better than nothing. Until the next train arrived we had the place to ourselves, me scanning the slopes with my scope, Pam eating shortbread and using her binoculars. This continued for over a fruitless hour, Pam fielding the inevitable questions from interested non-birding tourists. Two separate male Snow Buntings kept us entertained, feeding on the grassy islands below the window - when the cloud hadn't rolled in. It was like having a retinal bleed in both eyes.
Ushered into the carriage labelled disabled, at the front of the funicular we were sardined by nine older very rowdy able-bodied women. Being a bit slow to sit down, I landed on one of them's right leg, she'd squeezed in. What a kerfuffle! The harassed tour leader decided that three people were missing, rushing around before sending one man to check the cafe. It was then worked out that only one person was missing - the train driver had joined in by now. The leader then did a roll call standing in front of me and bellowing. It was Rita !! Rita was missing. In the end we had to leave and the very jolly group got louder, including us in their conversation. Well, Pam anyway, I was jammed against the window. From Bristol, they'd been to North Wales, then had a ride on a historic train somewhere followed by the Lakes and Inverness.
Rita was on the coach, having got an earlier train. Naughty Rita.
Pam spotted another male Snow Bunting perched on a stone pillar in the car park. Re-united with my camera, I took a few photos between the parked cars of the windswept bird.
A patch of Coltsfoot held its own in the wind buffeted lower car park
where Pam noticed the reindeer herd making its way at a trot towards their shed and probably a meal.We stopped further down the road so that she could feast her eyes on some of her favourite animals. Her adopted favourite is - aptly - food named. Strudel. That's how I chose him. We have a pair of his antlers attached to a bird feeding station in our garden.
In good time for the 1.00 nurse appointment at the Aviemore Health Centre, the only appointment they could offer last Friday. Why? My INR is still messed up from the two pre-op four day cessation of daily Warfarin. My doctor asked that I had the test done wherever I was after two weeks. 3.1 to-day, still a little over the 2-3 thought best. Keep taking the pills. The nurse asked if I was a visitor and why. She then told me about a birder who last week, in search of Ptarmigan, fell and banged his head. He didn't see one either.
Next stop Glenfeshie and Uath Lochan, not for long as we'd forgotten an IPad and my IPhone is definitely dead. So, no bird song to lure Crested Tit for example.
Loch Inch was more productive. Our usual parking spot beside the railway line with a good, if rather distant, view of the southern section of the loch. A male Goldeneye, about twenty Sand Martins hawking the surface of the water, one Common Sandpiper and a pair of Red-throated Divers. This is for you Mags, just as poor a photo as that of the Black-throats.... Such handsome birds, their colouring deeply dulled by the dark, overcast conditions with occasional light rain.
Ian had mentioned a Black Grouse site along the Lochindorb road out of Carrbridge. It sounded as though it was very near the lekking mound we knew when we first visited. And it was very near - a different grassy mound which was further from the road. Five male Black Grouse were scattered about, none of them displaying. Thank you Ian.
An Osprey cruised the hilltop.
On for a final visit to Lochindorb which produced an experience we had least anticipated. Stopping in a pull-off near to where a pair of anglers were standing, I noticed that one man's line was very bent towards the water and he was holding on very tightly. The other man picked up a large net, waded into the shallows and lifted an enormous fish.
Once the catcher had returned with his camera, the Pike was held aloft, photographed and returned gently to its natural habitat.
It must have been very tired from the struggle as it had to be encouraged to leave. The man told Pam that the fish was about 20 lbs in weight. We both enjoyed the spectacle, especially as no fish were harmed in the experience.
It must have been very tired from the struggle as it had to be encouraged to leave. The man told Pam that the fish was about 20 lbs in weight. We both enjoyed the spectacle, especially as no fish were harmed in the experience.
Soon after re-joining the 'main' road, a male Hen Harier flew rapidly overhead, directly over the car . Oh for a more extensive view. One of my favourite raptors.
In the ever gloomier late afternoon, 10 male Black Grouse were lekking on their grassy hillock. We couldn't hear them but the splayed white powderpuff tails and ruffed necks were in evidence, even from that distance. Can I really include such dreadful photos......
On to Ardnamurchan en route to Mull to-morrow so, luggage and car packing needs to be done. A must do but a cloud to end the week. At least we don't have to clean the cottage, that's included in the price.
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