Angus Hills and Glens (1 Viewer)

[Stonefaction]

I believe the road in Glen Lethnot is closed, just before the farm on the left, where the road goes up a brae and a burn goes under the road to join the main flow, and access is limited as a result. I remember noticing that there did appear to be a bit of a landslip undercutting the very edge of the road years ago - which wouldn't have been noticed from a moving car, and it appears that, unsurprisingly, this has led to the current problem. I think it is possible to walk or cycle further, but 'they' are not keen on cars going any further in (except for residents). It did look like being incredibly difficult to fix, due to steepness of the banking as well as the location itself, so it may well be out of commission for a long time yet, and may well require a whole new road built to go round the problem area.

 

[Brian Robertson]

Glen Lethnot is actually my favourite of the Angus Glens Brian. The first time we went up there we had a grand walk out through the Shank of Donald Young; it was autumn time and saw loads of Red Deer on the tops.

Must get up there again, as it's been ages since our last visit.

Often thought of going to Lairds Loch, but never got round to it. It's now beyond my walking abilities sad

I believe the road in Glen Lethnot is closed, just before the farm on the left, where the road goes up a brae and a burn goes under the road to join the main flow, and access is limited as a result. I remember noticing that there did appear to be a bit of a landslip undercutting the very edge of the road years ago - which wouldn't have been noticed from a moving car, and it appears that, unsurprisingly, this has led to the current problem. I think it is possible to walk or cycle further, but 'they' are not keen on cars going any further in (except for residents). It did look like being incredibly difficult to fix, due to steepness of the banking as well as the location itself, so it may well be out of commission for a long time yet, and may well require a whole new road built to go round the problem area.

Thanks.

The road remains closed putting paid to my plans. Ended up going to the end of Glen Esk instead. Didn't see much out of the ordinary there, an obliging Grey Wagtail on the river just past Lochlee Kirk, Common Sandpiper and Siskin plus two Red Kites.

 

[Stonefaction]

Thanks.

The road remains closed putting paid to my plans. Ended up going to the end of Glen Esk instead. Didn't see much out of the ordinary there, an obliging Grey Wagtail on the river just past Lochlee Kirk, Common Sandpiper and Siskin plus two Red Kites.

Unfortunately, I didn't see your post yesterday, so wasn't able to give you a heads-up on the closure and save you a bit of driving. Glen Esk can be good for most of the summer migrants (and Woodcock) but it is a bit easier while the birds are still singing. The walk from the car park to Loch Lee certainly used to be good for Tree Pipit, Redstart, Woodcock, Redpoll etc and then once out from the trees, Ring Ouzel, (have had Twite & Whinchat too), Common Sandpiper, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Dipper etc. Red Grouse aplenty and Cuckoo at a few spots (might be getting late for adults) - have had Black Grouse in Glen Esk once too. Been a couple of years since I've been 'up the glens' in May/June - used to be one of my most anticipated outings.

 

[Brian Robertson]

Started my final day in Angus with a trip to Glen Moy.
Heard a cuckoo coming from the direction of Airlie Tower getting near the southern end of Glen Clova. A Red Kite was noted being mobbed by a lapwing. Two Kestrels near the road end, hopefully a pair. Also a single raven and a Grey Wagtail. Common Sandpiper bobbing about along the burn. Posing on fenceposts were male wheatear and stonechat. Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers also noted.

A brief stop in the Pearsie area only revealed the commoner woodland birds but I think this area could hold some of the more interesting species.

It was then off to Backwater Reservoir, the water itself appearing to be bird-free barring a few unidentified hirundines and around 25 Common Gulls around the tower. Nothing much else of note bar another Raven and a Curlew heard. Quite bizarre was the sight of a deer swimming across the reservoir.

Then Glen Isla - Great Spotted Woodpecker and Bullfinch around Forter Bridge and 2+ Siskin in Kirkton of Glenisla.

 

[burnie]

Had a wander up Glen Mark, too many people on a nice day and noisy with the Grouse shooting going on up the Glen, we did however get 4 Whinchats(looked like an adult male, a female and two youngsters) keep us company on the way back from the Queens Well.

 

[burnie]

Funny old day in Glen Clova and Glen Doll, went looking and listening for the Red Deer rut which we found, but they were a long way off due to the large shooting party and about a dozen cars going up and down the Glen most of the time. We got a Short Eared Owl on the way back near Rottal for the highlight of the day.

 

[burnie]

First visit to Glen Esk this Spring, with 2 Buzzards and 2 Red Kites the first to greet us, as we went further large numbers of Oystercatchers seen, in their hundreds. Curlew and Lapwing present and some display flights occurring. We also spotted 2 Red Squirrels on the drive in and out. Also found a juvenile Slow Worm near the Invermark castle ruin.

 

[delia todd]

Friend and I went up Glen Moy on Sunday.

Not far in, I pulled in to get a sip of water. As I was reaching for the bottle spotted a Red Kite flying over. Then we heard a Song Thrush and Robin singing there as well.

Further along, there were a lot of Lapwings, a couple of them were display flying. A big flock of Wood Pigeons flew deeper into the glen. Moving on a bit and there were now Oystercatchers wandering about, along with more Lapwings and another kite.

While eating lunch at the top of the road I spotted a kite flying around the top of the hill, I'm pretty sure these would all be different individuals. Back to my lunch and double-take time!!! LOL There in a bush on the other side of the road beside the river was a Sparrowhawk! He must have arrived while I was kite-watching. He suddenly flew off up stream.

 

[Gander]

Does anyone know if the Glen Lethnot road has been opened up yet?

 

[delia todd]

Does anyone know if the Glen Lethnot road has been opened up yet?

I can't find it listed anywhere as being closed Paul.

The Balintore road, however, is open again. This is the new bridge:



LOL thought it was pretty!

 

[Gander]

Thanks Delia. That's the road I meant.

 

[burnie]

A drive up Glen Esk to the car park on a cool and dull day, plenty of Curlew and Lapwing as well as Oystercatchers on the sheep fields along with a few Pheasant, Red Legged Partridge and a Rabbit or two. Stonechats also on view in the birch scrub on the edge of the moorland along with more Lapwing displaying. Unusual sight was 8 Buzzards circling around above one of the sheep fields, could not see any casualties in the field to attract quite a large number. Further up the Glen we saw 2 Golden Eagles briefly and on the way back 2 Red Squirrels, not bad for a couple of hours.
Forgot 5 Swallows on wires over the road, first of the spring/summer for me.

 

[burnie]

A really nice trip into Glen Clova and Glen Doll began with a Red Kite near Cortachy, close to the river there were Curlew and Lapwing along with large numbers of unidentified gulls(too far away). Pheasant, Red legged Partridge, Blackbird, Starling, Wren, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Buzzard, possible Redstart and to crown the day a White Tailed Eagle along with another possible Golden Eagle too.

 

[Stonefaction]

Does anyone know if the Glen Lethnot road has been opened up yet?

Apparently back open again, Paul.....though also apparently fewer raptors around (almost as if 'hay' has been made while the proverbial 'sun' was shining).