The Trossachs

On Wednesday, we had an excellent trip, with Mike and Judith, to the Trossachs and more specifically Stronachlachar (the Pier café is recommended) and Loch Katrine.

Loch Katrine

A pleasant walk resulted in a range of sightings including Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap and Osprey. There were also large numbers of hirundines including some Swallows still feeding young .....

We also saw a good few butterflies that tried hard not to be photographed but, eventually, I managed a shot of this Scotch Argus ......

 

Leaving Loch Katrine we drove alongside Loch Arklet and this young Whinchat showed for a few moments before flying off ...

 

 

We finished with a well deserved ice cream in Aberfoyle; a nice end to a beautiful day out and amazingly, no midges!

 

The Trossachs - revisited

Last year (in April 2012), I reported on our visit to the Trossachs - Glasgow's Lake District. Yesterday we were able to make a return visit - thanks Fiona!

Our main aim was to check out the summer migrants along the West Highland Way at the RSPB Inversnaid Reserve. After a short distance, we were lucky enough to see a pair of Pied Flycatchers entering a nest box with food for their hungry young. Shortly afterwards we located a Spotted Flycatcher high in a tree. At this stage were were also 'spotted' by hordes of midges, so we beat a hasty retreat!

We travelled to the Pier Café at Stronachlachar (www.thepiercafe.com) for a much needed coffee. From the cafe's conservatory and the car park we got tremendous views of Loch Katrine....................

Loch Katrine - 24 June 2013

 

..... and decided to walk along its western shore and, in doing so, we encountered some stunning wildflower meadows...................

 

 

These and the many other wildflowers alongside the path attracted a whole host of insect and bee species......

 

 

 

There were also a good range of birds to be found, with the added bonus of very few midges! We were lucky enough to see and/or hear a host of summer migrants - Osprey, Common Sandpiper, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Swallow, House Martin, at least 3 more Spotted Flycatchers and a female Redstart feeding young -  a poor photo of one of the young Redstarts follows.................

 

 

In addition to the summer migrants we also got great views of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin before returning to the car park and home......................

 

 

It was a really pleasant, productive walk and one we shall be recommending as suitable for a RSPB Glasgow Local Group or Friends of Glasgow's LNRs mid-week outing!

 

 

The Trossachs - Glasgow's Lake District

Was lucky enough to visit the Trossachs yesterday in reasonably sunny weather, albeit chilly. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is less than a hours drive from Glasgow and as you can imagine the landscape is stunning.

Loch Arklet

Loch Lomond

Lake of Menteith

There were a few more migrant birds but still not as many as you would normally expect at this time of year. Most of my photos were record shots as opposed to decent photographs! But its important to remember when going out into the field that you are not going to see wildlife the way it is depicted on the excellent BBC wildlife documentaries. So the photos that follow represent the types of views you will normally get even with binoculars.

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Tree Pipit

Redstart

Black Grouse

Crossbills

Cuckoo

The one photo I am reasonably happy with is of this Grasshopper Warbler, a real skulker of a bird, normally heard rather than seen.

So why not pay this area a visit, you may even see the local Ospreys - we saw 4 in all!