Simon and Karen Spavin: July 2012

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Kestrel and Woodlark

A lovely evening that finished with a barn owl and 3 little owls !

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Long Nanny Estuary, Beadnell Bay

Stopped off at Long Nanny Estuary, Beadnell Bay on the way up to Scotland to hopefully see little terns. After a long walk to the warden's hut, there were 2 bathing little terns straight infront of us. The warden told us that they were the last 2 remaining ones. After a very high tide that washed every nest away, the birds had gone.

There were 1000's of arctic terns and we saw 4 sandwich terns also. It was a lovely place and we will certainly go back to spend a lot more time on this coastline.

Cinnabar Moths

Garden Tiger Moth

Pyramidal Orchid

Ringed Plover

Red Squirrel

We had 3, possibly 4, red squirrels in the garden every day. They were always devouring the peanut feeders every morning. They didn't seem bothered by us at all and would often sit on the window sills eating their peanuts.

Kintulloch, Inveruglas, Insh

This was our Scottish holiday accomodation, probably the best place we have ever stayed. The house was at the very end of a private road with an open aspect to the countryside. The garden was a hive of activity with birds constantly visiting the feeders and the resident 3 red squirrels were always in attendance! Deer grazed along the fence line and the scenery was stunning coupled with the total silence and the fact that it stayed light most of the night. The only disappointment was that we failed to see Pine Martin. Probably due to the fact that most of the neighbouring houses were empty (and so were their peanut feeders). We did try to tempt them in each night with peanut butter and jam sandwiches and then trying to stay awake to see who ate it all ! We will just have to go back and try again. The house was perfect, we highly recommend it for your Cairngorm holiday.