Page 9 - Out Birding Autumn 2024

Warblers (H), and we were fortunate to get great views of a Turtle Dove ‘purring’ atop a tree in the sunshine. On the sea wall, where the marsh was do􏰀ed with dri􏰁s of pink marsh plants, we had sigh􏰂ngs of Greylag Geese, Tu􏰁ed Duck, Reed Warbler (H), and Jackdaw.
Heading back to the Centre, along a narrow woodland track, those at the tail reflected on the ‘GBC Family’ and how it brought together such different people, who all shared a love of wildlife. As a perfect conclusion, we had a mindful moment, surrounded by Dog Roses, enjoying a Nigh􏰂ngale’s solo. Mar􏰂n reminded us of the BBC broadcasts of Beatrice Harrison in the 1920s playing her cello with Nigh􏰂ngale ‘accompaniment’.
Thanks to the 38 bird species that were in evidence, Mar􏰂n for his leadership and to Helen, Lyndsay, Eirwen, Ellen, Greg, Joyce and Chris for their great company and knowledge of wildlife.
Peter
Killin, Perthshire 01/06/2024
Returning to the car park in Killin, I no􏰂ced that my step counter said 6.4 miles and over 17,000 steps. Graeme had organised a lovely balanced ou􏰂ng of three walks, the first around the mouth of Loch Tay from Killin, and the second two in different parts of Glen Lochay, a short drive north of Killin. The day was unusually warm, with clear blue skies all day, giving superb light. We heard Blackcap and Garden Warblers singing in the car park, and soon a􏰁er we heard and saw the first of the Redstarts that accom- panied us around the head of Loch Tay. This is a beau􏰂ful stretch of the wide River Dochart as it enters the loch, and Graeme casually men􏰂oned that the last 􏰂me he was crossing the bridge, he'd seen a beaver swimming directly below. I determined than and there to go back at dusk, to see if I had any luck.
We had superb close up views of more male Redstarts, heard a Snipe, heard the ever- present Willow Warblers, a couple of Reed Bun􏰂ngs, and caught a few Teal, Mallard, Goosander and Grey Herons on the water. The river levels are high at the moment, leaving li􏰀le room for waders, but we did see Redshank and a couple of Dunlin among the Common and Black-headed Gulls on the only exposed mudbank. We watched a pair of Great Tits foraging for food and going to an obvious nest hole. An Osprey flew high above towards us and then obliged by coming down lower as it flew back the other way. As this loch is the largest in Perthshire at 15 miles long and over 500 feet deep, there's presumably lots of fishing to be had.
Graeme drove us up Glen Lochay, past the Moirlanich Longhouse, stopping beside the River Lochay for lunch. A short walk along the road gave good views of Cuckoos si􏰃ng on telegraph wires, and Spo􏰀ed Flycatchers and Tree Pipits in the woods along the river. Our second walk in this lovely valley gave us a Dipper, and as we walked above the tree line, some good sigh􏰂ngs of Whinchat. Si􏰃ng having a breather and admiring the view, we enjoyed watching a young Mistle Thrush coming close and working the grass cropped by sheep. We had hoped to see Golden Eagle and Graeme pointed out
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