Despite an overnight stay in the cold, yesetrday's Scarce Prominent was still very lively. Luckily we had caught a second one this morning, which I photographed in the egg box just in case. That too quickly became too lively to retain.
A second Glaucous Shears too amongst the Pine Beauty and Hebrew Characters.
We've missed out on some species so decided to give Broomhill Bridge and Dorback a go first thing. Having picked up a Dipper at the bridge and a Brown Hare in an adjacent field we went on to Dorback. No raptors nor Black Grouse but our first Roe Deer on the approach road,
Red Squirrel - which unfortunately had a damaged face - near the first farm.
A female then appeared on a back tree nut feeder.
We spent half an hour scoping the moor for grouse whilst two Mountain Hares, retaining vestiges of their white winter coat, chased each other through the heather, jumping pools and streams.
Armed with last year's Kentish Glory lure, we drove to Culbin Forest and the exact spot where we had success last year. Not to-day. A beautiful Speckled Wood butterfly settled on a nearby dandelion flower - and flew as I pointed my camera at it. Now that was disappointing. The clock stayed still.
The wonderfully named Cloddymoss is part of Culbin forest, and is where we have seen warblers and Bullfinch in the past. Again......not to-day, just Blue Tit for the May list !
We wanted to drive back home via Lochindorb, which took us into Nairn where the harbour beckoned. It was a very low tide. Scoping found a flock of up to a hundred Long-tailed Duck offshore, a few Eider and dozens of gulls.
The cross moorland route home was devoid of birds, apart from one Osprey flying overhead - which Pam missed. Splendid views of a male Red Grouse in the evening drizzle at Lochindorb.
It's been overcast all day with high grey cloud but some has descended this evening. It's pouring down as I write.This made for an early dark evening and we found seven lekking Black Grouse off the Carrbridge-Lochindorb road, on a grassy mound where we found them last year. Much too distant for good photography but safe for the undisturbed birds.
Back in Boat of Garten a few minutes before the shop closed so that my newspaper could be collected. The trap's on for the last time here and Pam is watching Barcelona/Liverpool on my IPad. She deserves a rest.
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