Wednesday 18th August Abernethy Forest

After Monday at Loch Ruthven RSPB reserve, where 3 slavonian grebes were seen. Then yesterday at Ballinlaggan RSPB reserve in the morning where greylags and a grey heron were the highlights [!] and the afternoon in the Abernethy Forest and afterwards at Loch Garten Osprey Centre with crested tits [213 year list] and ospreys seen - Odin, the male and one of this year's youngsters. Had camped just outside Carrbridge and after the overnight rain had stopped, got out of my tent to find half a dozen scotch argus flying around and a couple of small toads nearby.

The afternoon at Loch Garten was spent talking with the staff, with a massive thank you to Julie Smith for the huge slab of chocolate cake! Met David, the warden; Richard, the site manager, Paul who did the great talk about the ospreys and Paul Kendall, the local field teacher from Abernethy. He was brilliant showing me activities centred on ospreys, including nest size, relative prey item size to bodyweight and wing span comparisons. He also told me that he was going to be doing a talk at the Highland Holding Expo this week at 2.00pm.
Also met two people I;d met a few weeks ago at Lochwinnoch; Samantha and Gary. Great people one and all.
Photo taken for the local press then more birding.

Now on the way to Insh Marshes after having spent the morning searching for capercaillie unsuccessfully and having had a very pleasant coffee with Becks, her children Hebe and jack and a local 80 year old tree climber named Harvey. had stopped to photograph their sculpture but a request for water turned into an offer of coffee and a lovely hour or so's chat. Wonderful people.

Must go - only 30 minutes allowed here.

All the best everyone,

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