An overcast morning and a 45 minute call to our son in Canberra started our day and we were raring to go after our day of rest yesterday.
Following our friend Roger's suggestions, Mick had planned a drive to Dunkeld and Pitlochry on the A85 and A9 and return via the A9 and A822.
Mick had resorted to wearing jeans due to the chilly winds and today he complemented them with a cashmere jumper. As it turned out this was totally unnecessary as the day turned out to be sunny and warm so he had to shed the jumper after a couple of hours.
Just as we entered Dunkeld we saw a sign to Loch of the Lowes visitors centre and wildlife reserve and as it was coffee time, we decided to take a detour of a few miles to check it out and at least stop there for a coffee.
It turned out to be a very professional set up of multiple bird hides overlooking Loch of the Lowes. Each of the hides contained a couple of very nice high powered Opticron fieldscopes which were available to use to clearly see an Osprey family which was some distance across the water.
Whilst we watched, the female was in the nest calling to her mate to bring her a large fish which apparently he had caught. Meanwhile the youngster was in a tree nearby.
In the reception area there were two large LCD panels showing very clear high definition CCTV of the nest and surrounds from two cameras which the Scottish Wildlife lady was able to move about with two joysticks. We were able to watch the goings on in and around the nest as the male bird brought a large fish to the female and watch as they protected it from an intruder which could be picked up on the second camera as it flew around. Brilliant.
When things quietened down a bit we were able to settle down on some chairs to view bird feeding stations which had been set up outside the window. Lyn was desperate to see a red squirrel and we spotted one a short distance behind the feeding birds.
Unfortunately, according to the lady, it had been stuffing itself all morning and it was likely it was going off to have an afternoon nap but Mick just managed to get a photo as it shot off up a tree not to be seen again.
After a really enjoyable time there we went to have a look at Dunkeld and then on to Pitlochry which is on the River Tummell. Pitlochry is one of Scotland's more well-known salmon watching centres, due to the famous hydro-electric dam and salmon ladder.
The salmon ladder is more than 300 metres in length and consists of 34 chambers, which allow more than 5,400 (they have a fish counter!) fish to progress upstream to Loch Faskally and beyond. There is a viewing area where visitors are able to view migrating salmon coming up the river. This usually occurs in October to November.
After walking along the dam wall we then returned to the car to head home via a more scenic route which was at times spectacular.
Following our friend Roger's suggestions, Mick had planned a drive to Dunkeld and Pitlochry on the A85 and A9 and return via the A9 and A822.
Mick had resorted to wearing jeans due to the chilly winds and today he complemented them with a cashmere jumper. As it turned out this was totally unnecessary as the day turned out to be sunny and warm so he had to shed the jumper after a couple of hours.
Just as we entered Dunkeld we saw a sign to Loch of the Lowes visitors centre and wildlife reserve and as it was coffee time, we decided to take a detour of a few miles to check it out and at least stop there for a coffee.
It turned out to be a very professional set up of multiple bird hides overlooking Loch of the Lowes. Each of the hides contained a couple of very nice high powered Opticron fieldscopes which were available to use to clearly see an Osprey family which was some distance across the water.
Whilst we watched, the female was in the nest calling to her mate to bring her a large fish which apparently he had caught. Meanwhile the youngster was in a tree nearby.
In the reception area there were two large LCD panels showing very clear high definition CCTV of the nest and surrounds from two cameras which the Scottish Wildlife lady was able to move about with two joysticks. We were able to watch the goings on in and around the nest as the male bird brought a large fish to the female and watch as they protected it from an intruder which could be picked up on the second camera as it flew around. Brilliant.
When things quietened down a bit we were able to settle down on some chairs to view bird feeding stations which had been set up outside the window. Lyn was desperate to see a red squirrel and we spotted one a short distance behind the feeding birds.
Unfortunately, according to the lady, it had been stuffing itself all morning and it was likely it was going off to have an afternoon nap but Mick just managed to get a photo as it shot off up a tree not to be seen again.
After a really enjoyable time there we went to have a look at Dunkeld and then on to Pitlochry which is on the River Tummell. Pitlochry is one of Scotland's more well-known salmon watching centres, due to the famous hydro-electric dam and salmon ladder.
The salmon ladder is more than 300 metres in length and consists of 34 chambers, which allow more than 5,400 (they have a fish counter!) fish to progress upstream to Loch Faskally and beyond. There is a viewing area where visitors are able to view migrating salmon coming up the river. This usually occurs in October to November.
After walking along the dam wall we then returned to the car to head home via a more scenic route which was at times spectacular.
Coal Tit and Siskin
Live camera feeds
What is this?
A white headed chaffinch with a normal chaffinch. Genetic aberration
A Yellow Hammerhead
Woodpecker
Salmon ladder
Scottish Thistle
Mick with Scottish Heather in the background
Scottish Burn (pronounced Brrrrrn)
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