Ruth Daniel
Well-known member
The Loch Garten Experience.
Hello again everyone,
I hope you are all rested after the weekend and that you are now ready for the next leg of our Highland adventures?................
...................We set off early on the long journey from Fort William to Loch Garten by way of a tourist scenic route via the A86 and then A9 to Aviemore and the Cairngorm National Park.The scenery was absolutely stunning and we had frequent stops as we just couldn't drive past such beauty without pausing to get our breath and just admire! (pic 1) We hung around here for quite a while as I was sure I could hear Crested Tits but no matter how we tried we just couldn't see any!
Eventually we arrived at RSPB Loch Garten and made our way to the Osprey hide where as soon as we entered were greeted by the excited wardens asking us if we wanted to see the Ospreys or the Capercaille first!!! We didn't know which way to turn so Howard rushed to one scope and me to another and then we swapped over!! lol!! We needn't have hurried though as all the birds were easily viewed in fact the Capercaille didn't move much at all the whole time we were there......a "sedentary bird" is a very good description!! lol!! We never expected to see a Capercaille as most folk there had been up since 4am to spot him and we just strolled in mid-morning and there he was!!! lol!!! The view of him was never brilliant but every now and then the gentle breeze would ruffle and lift his bushy neck feathers and then he would turn and we'd get a glimpse of his impressive huge straw white bill and vivid bright red eyelid......a brilliant bird indeed!!!
The Ospreys were equally awesome and absorbing,their shear size being the most obvious first impression.We actually saw them mating on the nest which was a real bonus and have since learnt that the female (EJ) has re-laid 2 more eggs after Henry (male) had jealously booted the first lot out of the nest completely!!
The staff there were wonderful and I can't praise them enough for their help in locating the birds and their enthusiastic commentaries on the on/off romance story of EJ and Henry! (pic2) The depth of their knowledge was immense and to be very much admired and appreciated.!
We reluctantly left the hide to walk around the many footpaths of the reserve and soon came across this little chap (pic 3) helping himself to the bird nuts at the forest feeding station.....I've seen Red Squirrels before but am always amazed at just how small they are! After this one we saw at least another 6/7 so they do seem to be doing well throughout this area.
On the stunningly beautiful Loch itself (pic 4) we saw a wonderful male Goldeneye his brilliant white colours shining in the sunshine,also here were a pair of courting Wigeon and numerous Common Sandpipers noisily flying from stone to stone as we disturbed them as we walked by. We were still searching for Crested Tits and Crossbills but eventually had to concede defeat and move on as time was going quickly and we wanted to visit the city of Inverness while we were in the area......(and after 10 days in the Highlands I was in dire need of a M&S fix!!!!!! lol!!!)
We travelled back from Inverness on the A82 down the whole length of the west side of Loch Ness and never once caught a glimpse of Nessie!! lol!!! We did stop (along with the Americans and the Japanese!) to take a pic of this stunning piece of architecture,Urquhart Castle ....looks grand doesn't it? (pic 5)
We arrived back very late and tired but totally in awe of all we'd seen and thrilled with the whole experience of Loch Garten and all it's inhabitants....... a truly amazing "must visit" place that we both recommend wholeheartedly!
Best wishes,
Hello again everyone,
I hope you are all rested after the weekend and that you are now ready for the next leg of our Highland adventures?................
...................We set off early on the long journey from Fort William to Loch Garten by way of a tourist scenic route via the A86 and then A9 to Aviemore and the Cairngorm National Park.The scenery was absolutely stunning and we had frequent stops as we just couldn't drive past such beauty without pausing to get our breath and just admire! (pic 1) We hung around here for quite a while as I was sure I could hear Crested Tits but no matter how we tried we just couldn't see any!
Eventually we arrived at RSPB Loch Garten and made our way to the Osprey hide where as soon as we entered were greeted by the excited wardens asking us if we wanted to see the Ospreys or the Capercaille first!!! We didn't know which way to turn so Howard rushed to one scope and me to another and then we swapped over!! lol!! We needn't have hurried though as all the birds were easily viewed in fact the Capercaille didn't move much at all the whole time we were there......a "sedentary bird" is a very good description!! lol!! We never expected to see a Capercaille as most folk there had been up since 4am to spot him and we just strolled in mid-morning and there he was!!! lol!!! The view of him was never brilliant but every now and then the gentle breeze would ruffle and lift his bushy neck feathers and then he would turn and we'd get a glimpse of his impressive huge straw white bill and vivid bright red eyelid......a brilliant bird indeed!!!
The Ospreys were equally awesome and absorbing,their shear size being the most obvious first impression.We actually saw them mating on the nest which was a real bonus and have since learnt that the female (EJ) has re-laid 2 more eggs after Henry (male) had jealously booted the first lot out of the nest completely!!
The staff there were wonderful and I can't praise them enough for their help in locating the birds and their enthusiastic commentaries on the on/off romance story of EJ and Henry! (pic2) The depth of their knowledge was immense and to be very much admired and appreciated.!
We reluctantly left the hide to walk around the many footpaths of the reserve and soon came across this little chap (pic 3) helping himself to the bird nuts at the forest feeding station.....I've seen Red Squirrels before but am always amazed at just how small they are! After this one we saw at least another 6/7 so they do seem to be doing well throughout this area.
On the stunningly beautiful Loch itself (pic 4) we saw a wonderful male Goldeneye his brilliant white colours shining in the sunshine,also here were a pair of courting Wigeon and numerous Common Sandpipers noisily flying from stone to stone as we disturbed them as we walked by. We were still searching for Crested Tits and Crossbills but eventually had to concede defeat and move on as time was going quickly and we wanted to visit the city of Inverness while we were in the area......(and after 10 days in the Highlands I was in dire need of a M&S fix!!!!!! lol!!!)
We travelled back from Inverness on the A82 down the whole length of the west side of Loch Ness and never once caught a glimpse of Nessie!! lol!!! We did stop (along with the Americans and the Japanese!) to take a pic of this stunning piece of architecture,Urquhart Castle ....looks grand doesn't it? (pic 5)
We arrived back very late and tired but totally in awe of all we'd seen and thrilled with the whole experience of Loch Garten and all it's inhabitants....... a truly amazing "must visit" place that we both recommend wholeheartedly!
Best wishes,
