We spent a couple of days in Pitlochry, just chilling out after a few very hectic weeks. We visited The Hermitage, National Trust Scotland, Very few birds were seen, but it was a beautiful day and we did see some leaping Salmon, so here's some scenery!
Well with all the work going on in the house and visiting Birmingham we haven't done much Birding. But Monday was our wedding anniversary so we made sure we got out for the afternoon, had a walk, lunch and a really lovely time.
We parked at Findatie on Loch Leven and took a stroll to the hide and beyond. These were the highlights:
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| Long-tailed Tit |
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| First of our Red Squirrel Sightings |
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| Grey Heron from the hide |
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| Red Squirrel again! |
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| Coal Tit |
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| Our first Dipper on the River Leven |
So apart from the photographed sightings above, we had Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Starlings, Buzzards, Cormorant and Pink-footed Geese. Also a winter plumage Slavonian Grebe was seen briefly.
Then to Loch Leven Larder for a superb 'late' lunch, we stayed for a bun and a pot of tea, sitting outside at dusk, waiting for the Geese, but it got really cold and there was a biting wind, so we called it a day before the geese arrived. However:
A Kestrel displayed for us, always looking the other way of course!
Happy 41 Years!
We have made a couple of visits to Loch Leven recently, one to the RSPB reserve and one to Burleigh Sands.
The highlight at the RSPB (Vane Farm) was our first sighting there of Red Squirrels, we have looked every time we have been there with no luck, but this time they were just there and weren't that bothered by us. Unfortunatley it was a very dull day and quite dark under the trees, so the photos aren't great!
Most of the other sightings at the RSPB were a bit distant, but here's a couple of the Pink-footed Geese:
A couple of days later we went to Burleigh Sands on the Loch, and wandered down to the hide, it was brilliant! The best birding we have had from there:
Black-tailed Godwits,
There was a second Barnacle Goose, but it was tucked down behind the Pinks most of the time. There were also Goldeneye around, but they didn't come anywhere near the hide.
We just love Loch Leven! We have three favourite spots around the Loch, so we must go for the hat trick and take a walk at Findatie. But before that we want to head to Kircaldy and take in the sea walk at Seafield. Hopefully the Purple Sandpipers will have turned up, Plus it would be nice to see some Long-tailed Ducks if they are around yet.
