Fowlsleugh and loch Of Kinnordy RSPB Reserves - and J.M.Barrie!

A quick summary of the last two reserves visited. Inbetween each enjoyed strenous cycling in order to cover the miles so I wont bore you with the details.

Fowlsleugh RSPB reserve

Early morning seawatch - 1 great northern diver, a number of small flocks of eider, a few gannets, 1 kittiwake and a number of gulls.

Along the cliffs - 7 tree sparrows, c.40 yellowhammer, a few chaffinches and meadow pipits and a number of song thrushes and robins.

Interesting cliffs made of a large-boulder filled conglomerate. I wonder why the stream hasn't eroded its way down to the sea? Nice waterfall instead into a large crevice in the rocks with a large cave by its side.

Next onto Loch of Kinnordy via Montrose to have a look in the basin. Wanted to go to the Scottish Wildlife Centre but the £4 admission charge would be a day's food so cycled on.

Arrived at Kirriemuir and met Heidi, a local member of the Kirriemuir Heritage Centre. She told me of J.M. Barrie's birthplace and 150th anniversary celebrations.
By now it was almost dark but found the birthplace and a house named 'Window of Thrums', made famous in one of his books.

http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/5,en,SCH1/objectId,SIG49357Svs,curr,GBP,season,at1,selectedEntry,home/home.html

http://www.barrie2010.org.uk/

13th October 2010  Loch of Kinnordy RSPB Reserve

Early morning birds included sceins of pink-footed geese going over in their hundreds heading east. A flock of 143 landed on a recently harvested cereal crop nearby.

At 7.15am a few hundred jackdaws left their roost in conifers on the far bank of the loch.

On the water - lots of mallards, a few teal, 2 pochard and a few mute swans. Greylags and canada geese as well.

Now in Glenrothes library having a rest after a 40 mile cycle, which included riding over the Tay Bridge.

Just a few miles to get to Vane Farm RSPB Reserve. have been here before and looking forward to seeing it again. One of my favourites.

All the best everyone,

Gary