Goodbye Kinnordy, hello (again) Dundreggan

So, it’s time to leave the Loch of Kinnordy reserve. Today, I packed my stuff into the van, bought some food in the local Co-op, and then called into the reserve for one last time (for now). While I was there, Jim, a regular visitor to the hides arrived with his grandson. Jack has a fantastic enthusiasm for nature for one so young. He has a camera and loves taking pictures of the Osprey, Lapwing and Shoveller. Today, though, when he pointed out from the hide and shouted “What’s that?”, it turned out to be a Marsh Harrier. Woaw!

I’ve never seen a Marsh Harrier before, but it looked amazing with a strikingly pale head, flying over the reeds, before swooping down, out of sight, probably to grab some prey. Unfortunately we didn’t see it again, but not long after an Osprey cam along and pulled a fish from the reserve within site of where we were sat in the Gullery.

As if this wasn’t enough for one day, I then called by the Loch of the Lowes on my way West, where I was lucky to see a number of Great Crested Grebe performing to each other on the water.

I’m now staying at Dundreggan for a week to plant some trees, in a new area for planting on the estate, with Calum.  Hopefully I’ll get time to update with another entry before the end of the week.  I have no broadband reception here, so am having to pop round to the office to pick up email.

Anyway, here are some pictures from the last few days…