Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Lake of Mentieth and Argaty Red Kites

So, we have arrived in Aviemore!  We thought we would make the most of the journey north by stopping off at a few spots along the way.

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park – The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

This is an area of extensive woodland and small Lochs.  The visitor centre is outstanding with toilets and a café with spectacular views.  The setup there is a partnership between the Forestry Commission and the RSPB the main focus of the being the nearby nesting Osprey with live cams in operation.   The volunteers there know their stuff and the area thoroughly.  A word of warning though, the reserve has a ‘Go Ape’ park there.  This is a kind of outdoor abseiling, climbing, mountain biking, zip line swinging type thingy.  Also there was Spaniel there off the lead charging about like a thing possessed that chased a Grey Wagtail up the river to the waterfall.  I know these adventure themed things aren't everyone’s cup of tea, so if you do visit don’t be surprised if a screaming child zooms over your head on a zip wire and flushes the birds you’re trying to see.  Species at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park included:

Willow Warbler
Chaffinch
Great Tit
Grey Wagtail
Long-tailed Tit
Dunnock
Red Squirrel
Coal Tit
Jay

Dukes Pass

This area is part of a much bigger raptor trail but we didn't have time to drive the full course.

Buzzard
Raven

Lake of Mentieth

Lake of Mentieth is approximately 4 miles east of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and Scotland’s only ‘LAKE’!  Here we were lucky enough to get good views of Osprey!  Species:

Osprey
Pied Wagtail
Great Crested Grebe
Grey Heron

Argaty Red Kites – Doune

Red Kite (Lifer)

Marton Mere - Warblers

First day back on the Fylde and after catching up with some work we headed to Marton Mere.  Mostly Coot and Herring Gull from the FBC hide but other species included:  3 Great Crested Grebe, a Male Reed Bunting and a Grey Heron.

As we walked along the east edge of the Mere a Cetti's Warbler was in full song - very loud!  Plenty of Chiffchaff singing too.

The north bank brought us a lifer with Lesser Whitethroat and and year tick with Willow Warbler.  I came across the LWT completely by accident and found identifying the bird much easier than I had expected.

Lesser Whitethroat - Photo by @scyrene

I've struggled trying to separate Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and when a possible candidate has showed so far this spring it has refused to sing!  I sat there and stared at the bird, muttering "sing you b*stard sing!" under my breath.  About a minute passed and then came the descending call!  WHOOP!

Willow Warbler - Photo by @scyrene

No sign of any Wheatear today at the newly mowed patch (although that grass is growing fast).

The mere as a whole felt very quiet and couple of friendly faces who stopped to chat all said the same.  If it hadn't been for the warblers it would have been an afternoon of mostly Coots and Gulls (not that we don't like Coots and Gulls!)

The photos in this post were taken at Marton Mere NR by @scyrene who has kindly given me permission to use them - Please check out his Flickr.

Cheshire and on to North Wales!

So today our North Wales trip began.  We stopped off at Burton Mere to bag the Garganey.  Good but distant views from the hide - as you can see the camera struggled.  The Spotted Redshank that have been reported were not to be seen.

There is a small area of woodland behind the visitors centre where we saw Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

I may have seen a Willow Warbler but I'm not sure.  The bird wasn't vocal so obviously I only have this photo to go from.  From what I can make out the bill has an orange base, the supercilium is long and the eyestripe bold which is all good for Willow Warbler.  I know primary projection is a good diagnostic tool but I couldn't distinguish primaries and tertials from the angle of these photos.  If anyone could help it would be really appreciated.

It may also be worth noting that I noticed a strange looking bird from the visitors centre.  The volunteer said it was an escapee 'Winged Teal'.  I've tried Googling it but it doesn't throw up any similar pictures.  Isn't it pretty though eh!

Whilst heading back to the carpark a Buzzard flew overhead - very low down indeed!

We moved on to Parkgate and The Point of Ayr but tide wasn't on our side and there was nothing much to see apart from Crows and Gulls.  On to Anglesey tomorrow!