Relaxing Day

Thursday May 5

With the prospect of another long day to-morrow,  we decided to take it easy to-day - all the packing to do too. It's all the stuff we carry, not the one small case each for clothes.

We started with opening the overnight moth trap, our second night without rain. The biggest joy was our first ever Red Swordgrass, one I'd long to see. A really big moth. Not found in Norfolk. 

Brindled Beauty

Red Swordgrass

Red Swordgrass top view

We still have some moths to identify, time and patience in short supply.

Armed with a bag of feed for the Snow Bunting, we drove to Cairngorm car park via Coylum Bridge - after checking the Spey from the bridge. The only bird in sight was a very distant Goldeneye. I've spent my time taking ridiculously distant birds to-day.

At Cairngorm, I got out to place the seed and.....nearly got blown away. The seed did blow away as soon as I put it down. Not a bird in sight. 

A beautiful, sunny, warm day - 14C at lower levels - the wind was fierce. The view across the valley to distant mountains, Loch Morlich below was stunning.

Uath Lochan was the next planned stop. I hung a bird feeder on a tree, scattered food on a stone - yes, it blew away, even in this sheltered space, and we spent an hour here, waiting. Enjoying, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, Willow Warbler and the ubiquitous Chaffinches. I don't think I'll ever get a decent photo of a Treecreeper. these kept us happy by constantly returning to the same group of trees. Despite this, their activity, propensity for going round the back of trees, smallness and just being too fast, beat my abilities.

 

Obscured by twigs all the time.

Time for cake and a drink at Inchriach Alpine Nursery, we'd checked that it was open to-day. The alpine plants section had one couple shopping intently, the 'Potting Shed' was packed. Pam ordered whilst I bagged seats. All the stools overlooking the bird feeders, hung in nearby treetops over a valley below, were taken Most people had finished their food and were enjoying a Red Squirrel attacking the peanuts, Siskins, Blue and Great Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit and Chaffinches, jostling each other for feeding space. I found a small table for two behind the stools - and very much below - on which to eat a delicious raspberry and chocolate mousse gateau, Pam had Carrot cake. I tried some photography,. all against a bright sun, and ditched the lot.

The gardens are on a slope, a stream running down the centre a backdrop for the many American, yellow arum type flower. 

Most of them were past their best, this one wasn't.

We just had to visit Lochindorb for the last time. Our luck was in. A Black-throated Diver rested on the far side of the loch, at the southern end, in very choppy water. Yes, I did try....

An appalling photo, I should remove it.

At the northern end, our luck was in again. My scope picked out a handsome summer plumaged Red-throated Diver, again on the far shore. Even too far for me.

Home to clear the cottage and pack the car ready for an early start in the morning.