Starting with opening the moth trap which I'd had to bring indoors at 11 last night as heavy rain was forecast. My portable trap instructions tell me not to put it out in the rain. It got a bit wet as it was.
Always exciting in a new place ......it wasn't. Two Clouded Drab and one Hebrew Character, common at home. We also found three Micros about the cottage, must have escaped overnight.
Carrbridge garage first so that someone could help us replace the batteries in both our car remotes. An annoying orange warning light and bleep appears on the front dash. We had the batteries but the manual didn't tell us how to do it. Simple now we know.
Findhorn Valley, always a favourite, because of the spectacular scenery, was the target. We followed a bin lorry along the single track load, giving us plenty of time to bird whenever it stopped. The usual birds, Common Sandpiper, Mistle and Song Thrushes, Robin and Siskin. Lovely sunny day which clouded over as we drove along the valley. I've never seen the river as full of water, it was in full spate. The water was turbulent and fast flowing, covering where islands had usually been seen. Closer to the road than ever in places too. A combination of overnight rain in the mountains and snow-melt I reckon. On the return journey, less than an hour later, it had obviously both dropped in speed and height. Just like the river Giedd used to do in my village of birth.
We sat for over half an hour seeing no birds at all, let alone raptors, before Pam was itching to go. Well, I was reading the DT sport by now......
A quick call at the wooden bridge found the wild goats the other side of the river, we'd seen one grey Billy on the way up. A notice about research into Mountain Hare colour changes was interesting - we couldn't find any.
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| Findhorn Valley, northern end, walking only from here |
We decided to drive to Inverness via the Farr road, the turning is off the Findhorn valley. Grey Wagtail again, in the same area as last year but, swaying on top of a small tree, scolding us. As we climbed the single track high onto the moorland, the precipitation started. By the time we reached the top, where we hope to see Hen harrier and Short-eared Owls, it had become a blinding sleet blizzard, more snow than sleet (Slizzard?), being hurled against the side of the car. It is very high with few passing places. Luckily we only saw one car, which had already stopped for us. So much for birds.
Now, it was sunny again for the rural drive to Inverness. We needed fruit so shopped at the enormous Tesco on the Aberdeen road. Next aim was Ardfearn Alpine Nursery which we'd tried to find last year. I put the postcode into the Sat Nav and it refused to go on from IV3 to the number 8, it wouldn't appear. Luckily the till woman and a man in the queue at Tescos told us it was on the old Beauly road. We found it - after crossing the Caledonian Canal and seeing a flight of at least five locks on the southern side. Shame there was nowhere to stop. The road followed the eastern shore of the Firth, tide well out.
The nursery is basically a one man enterprise, plenty of plants in lovely condition - the place looked a bit in need of TLC. Right way round. I bought some Alpines - of course - many were new to me. The conditions in which they've been growing should mean success at home.
As it's the night when we are booked to go to the Cairngorm Wildife hide to see - if any turn up - Badgers and Pine Martins - we drove home.
Station Road Carrbridge was always a post supper evening drive when we stayed at Fairwinds. We couldn't resist a quick visit as we passed it anyway. Another single track through houses, then woods and up to moorland where a tree, log and brash filled river flows. At the end, the large river meadow didn't let us down. Greylag, a Curlew and a dozen summer black- aproned Golden Plover, their plaintive whistle-call a very evocative experience of Scottish moors.
Station Road Carrbridge was always a post supper evening drive when we stayed at Fairwinds. We couldn't resist a quick visit as we passed it anyway. Another single track through houses, then woods and up to moorland where a tree, log and brash filled river flows. At the end, the large river meadow didn't let us down. Greylag, a Curlew and a dozen summer black- aproned Golden Plover, their plaintive whistle-call a very evocative experience of Scottish moors.
I may have time to finish this to-night and maybe add some photos. We'll see. I've read my camera book and found out how to turn my automatic flash off - as requested. It's floodlit so should be OK, if a funny colour. Fingers crossed for some subjects turning up.
Tuesday
We did not leave the hide until 11.30 p.m., I don't remember reading that. What a tremendous experience. The guide met us at the designated meeting place, very near Loch an Eilein car park, at 8.20 . At 8.30 we drove up the rough track, turned first right and parked near to the cottage and behind the shed - as instructed. When the walking group arrived, we got out and walked the few yards to the large, solidly built 'hide'. It was heated, coats still needed, large picture window on one side, plastic chairs available, the other side had three smaller windows with stools. Both sides had structures for the animals, one rocks and a fallen tree, the other the rough 'table' and a living tree.
After an introductory talk the affable guide laid the outside area with peanut butter, sultanas, peanuts and one egg was put on the table.
It was nearly 10.00 when the first animal arrived - apart fom the Red Deer herd, fed by the farmer, in the field below. It was a delightful female Pine Marten, who started on the peanut butter on our rocks before going round to take the raw egg from the table. She's had 30 in the last month by arriving first. Then, a second female arrived, she also spent some time hunting down the peanut butter and sultanas. They came within touching distance of the window, seemingly unperturbed by faces and cameras. They're fed every night all year round, so are well accustomed. Magical.
Martens are a member of the Mustelid family along with Otters, Stoats, Weasels, Wolverine, Ferrets and Mink. Martens are 'sweet' mustelids in that they smell good, most of the others are 'stinky' mustelids.
The heavy brigade next, a total of 5 badgers by 11.30. They're small animals but look very strong and sturdy, covered in extremely coarse hair which was wet to-night. Earth-soiled noses too from worm snuffling. Their noses are so bendy and mobile as they hoover up the food. Both animal species were never completely still, this coupled with the no flash rule and pretty dim 'floodlighting' made for challenging photography. Luckily, I found out how to turn the flash off on Pam's Lumix, as we could both click away very happily.
We absolutely loved it, and would happily re-live the experience, preferably when the Martens get their chocolate brown summer coat, moulting winter at the moment.
Home at midnight, bed by 1.00 a.m. - I need to wind down - very happy and satisfied customers.
Tuesday
We did not leave the hide until 11.30 p.m., I don't remember reading that. What a tremendous experience. The guide met us at the designated meeting place, very near Loch an Eilein car park, at 8.20 . At 8.30 we drove up the rough track, turned first right and parked near to the cottage and behind the shed - as instructed. When the walking group arrived, we got out and walked the few yards to the large, solidly built 'hide'. It was heated, coats still needed, large picture window on one side, plastic chairs available, the other side had three smaller windows with stools. Both sides had structures for the animals, one rocks and a fallen tree, the other the rough 'table' and a living tree.
After an introductory talk the affable guide laid the outside area with peanut butter, sultanas, peanuts and one egg was put on the table.
It was nearly 10.00 when the first animal arrived - apart fom the Red Deer herd, fed by the farmer, in the field below. It was a delightful female Pine Marten, who started on the peanut butter on our rocks before going round to take the raw egg from the table. She's had 30 in the last month by arriving first. Then, a second female arrived, she also spent some time hunting down the peanut butter and sultanas. They came within touching distance of the window, seemingly unperturbed by faces and cameras. They're fed every night all year round, so are well accustomed. Magical.
Martens are a member of the Mustelid family along with Otters, Stoats, Weasels, Wolverine, Ferrets and Mink. Martens are 'sweet' mustelids in that they smell good, most of the others are 'stinky' mustelids.
The heavy brigade next, a total of 5 badgers by 11.30. They're small animals but look very strong and sturdy, covered in extremely coarse hair which was wet to-night. Earth-soiled noses too from worm snuffling. Their noses are so bendy and mobile as they hoover up the food. Both animal species were never completely still, this coupled with the no flash rule and pretty dim 'floodlighting' made for challenging photography. Luckily, I found out how to turn the flash off on Pam's Lumix, as we could both click away very happily.
We absolutely loved it, and would happily re-live the experience, preferably when the Martens get their chocolate brown summer coat, moulting winter at the moment.
Home at midnight, bed by 1.00 a.m. - I need to wind down - very happy and satisfied customers.
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