So the alarm was set and Kev had kindly offered to accompany me as two pairs of eyes are better than one. Again, another beautiful walk when all you can hear is the bird song.
And then, after so many years of trying and failing, there she was. I'd love to say it was due to superior field craft but the reality was she was at the side of the path (after grit?) and flew off when I stepped too close to her. I doubt I would have seen her had she stayed put. Capercaillie finally seenB B B B . Big thanks to a good friend of mine who has given me so much advice over the years:t::t:
On Loch Garten were a few Goldeneye. I couldn't pick out he Scoters that JP had found but we didn't linger long. GSW's seemed to be very common this year but at the Osprey Centre we again failed to catch up with any Cresties. A Red Squirrel was taking advantage of some free food.
In the car park itself an organised group had arrived. They moved up to the hide but a certain Iolo Williams stayed behind to have a chat with me and Kev. Bloody brilliant. He really is a likeable fella and came across as extremely genuine. Cracking to just discuss birds we had seen over the last few days. Evidently the weather had been better yesterday when his group were up at the Findhorn and they had connected with 2 Golden Eagles.
Time to head back to the hot tub and a celebratory beer. Chilling out in the hot tub whilst the snow was coming down was a good way to end the day.
And then, after so many years of trying and failing, there she was. I'd love to say it was due to superior field craft but the reality was she was at the side of the path (after grit?) and flew off when I stepped too close to her. I doubt I would have seen her had she stayed put. Capercaillie finally seenB B B B . Big thanks to a good friend of mine who has given me so much advice over the years:t::t:
On Loch Garten were a few Goldeneye. I couldn't pick out he Scoters that JP had found but we didn't linger long. GSW's seemed to be very common this year but at the Osprey Centre we again failed to catch up with any Cresties. A Red Squirrel was taking advantage of some free food.
In the car park itself an organised group had arrived. They moved up to the hide but a certain Iolo Williams stayed behind to have a chat with me and Kev. Bloody brilliant. He really is a likeable fella and came across as extremely genuine. Cracking to just discuss birds we had seen over the last few days. Evidently the weather had been better yesterday when his group were up at the Findhorn and they had connected with 2 Golden Eagles.
Time to head back to the hot tub and a celebratory beer. Chilling out in the hot tub whilst the snow was coming down was a good way to end the day.