I met up with BFer Jimmorris starting at Loch of the Lowes.
Mrs Osprey was hunkered down in the nest, just head visible sometimes. The loch itself was very quiet with just a few Mallard, Goldeneye and a pair of Great Crested Grebes showing. Three Buzzards were enjoying the thermals over Butterstone Glen.
Wrens, Chaffinch and Willow Warblers were very vocal. A single female Siskin joined the party at the feeders, along with a Red Squirrel.
As we left the hide I could hear a Cuckoo calling (my first for the year).
On then to Rumbling Bridge, but the hoped for Grey Wagtails were not seen (nor were they at any likely spot during the day). Continuing on the back road to Trochry, we came across a flock of half a dozen or so Linnets and plenty of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Oystercatchers, Lapwings and Curlew. These were all seen in good numbers throughout the drive.
The bridge at Trochy failed, for the first time, to produce a Dipper, couldn't believe it! And failed to see one anywhere today. Though Jim had seen one beside the campsite at Inver.
The first Swallow was seen at Trochry, shortly after House Martins, and driving towards Amulree the first of two Kestrels for the day. There's a lay-by before dropping down into Amulree (watch the enormous pot hole as you enter it), so we stopped there for a while scoping the skyline for raptors but surprisingly none were see at all.
Through Glen Quaich (seems a popular run this year LOL) we picked up the first of many Wheatear, more Wrens singing in the heather and Jim found his first (of 2) Red Grouse, the first of two Stonechat was seen here as well
Loch Freuchie held Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Greylag and Canada Geese. Here we also saw the only 2 Redshank of the trip.
Climbing up the hill and stopping at every available place we completely failed to find any Ring Ousel. At the small fishing loch we had some Ravens in the distance. Heard, then saw 2 Sandpipers here too (another year tick for me).
A female House Sparrow at Kenmore then a nice flock of Siskins in Glen Cochil with a Little Grebe on Loch na Craig.
A grand day really.
D