Aspenwood Holiday Cottage

Long tailed tits..

The colder winter weather heralds the arrival of the long tailed tits. These delightful birds are easily recognisable by their long black and white tail which is longer than their body. Their body is black and white with delicate pinkish tones with black button like eyes. They go about in noisy flocks of up to 20 birds. As we were watching the other birds gently feeding on the sunflower hearts a gang of long tailed tits suddenly flew out of the forest and descended on the fat ball hanging from the bird table until it was almost impossible to see any of the ball. After a few seconds they all zoomed off in a flurry of wings to the next feeding post.

Check out more information on the long tailed tits and see them in action.

Labels: birds, long tailed tits

Long Tailed Tits are back in the garden.

The distinctive sound of a flock of long tailed tits calling to each other was heard well before they appeared out of the trees and fluttered between the nut feeders and fat balls. They are easily recognisable by their small round pinkish tinged body and a very narrow long black and white edged tail, the longest tail of any British bird in proportion to its body. They did not stay for long and soon zoomed off to their next destination.
See them in action.

Labels: birds, long tailed tits

Goldfinch.

A colourful goldfinch visited the nut feeder on the fence at Aspenwood on Saurday morning...a welcome sight as we do not see many of these although they are now becoming more common as garden birds. There are several bird books as well as a pair of binoculars in the cottage for guests to use to get a closer look at the various bird life that visit the table and feeders and bird bath.

The goldfinch had a good feed and totally ignored the numerous playful red squirrels chasing each other along the fence and feeding on the adjacent feeder. The collective noun for goldfinches is a charm...what else could it be ?

Another cheeky squirrel really enjoyed the peanuts that were scattered on the ground by the side of the bird bath. The deer didn't say much !

Labels: aspenwood, birds, goldfinch, red, squirrel

Watch the birdie.

Lots of bird activity in the garden this week - with the usual arrivals of siskins, chaffinches, robins, dunnocks, blackbirds and most members of the tit family. Our first baby robins have been spotted on the bird table and a collared dove came to sit on the roof of the bird house. The great spotted woodpecker has landed on the nuts very fleetingly and the hungry sparrowhawk has been zooming around and scattering all the bird life for hours.

We have seen two quite rare visitors. The first was a pair of brightly coloured bullfinches flitting about on the shrubbery and eating the young blueberries.

Yesterday afternoon we spotted the magnificent osprey hovering over Loch Ness right in front of the house. Unfortunately it was quickly attacked by a family of hooded crows who are nesting nearby. Even though it was much bigger it conceded to the rowdy gang and flew away.

On both occasions I had to be very quick with the camera and only had time to take one photo. Hopefully there will be many more sightings and I shall be ready.

Labels: birds

Siskins everywhere.

A new hatch of mottled baby siskins have been descending on the bird table regularly now and quickly devour everything in sight. The male of this species has bright yellow-green plumage with a distinct black patch on the head and some other dark streaks. It was once admired so much it was kept as a cage bird under the name of 'aberdevine'.

They are present all year round in Scotland and thrive here mainly because of the abundance of their favourite habitat of coniferous woodland.The female of the species is less brightly coloured and rather drab.The siskin is a member of the finch family and is closely related to the goldfinch.

Labels: birds

The Snow Geese.

Driving back home from Inverness on the Daviot road yesterday we were very surprised to see so much snow remained in the fields and hills. Parked up and sat and watched the very young lambs staying very close to their mothers warm fleecy coats and listened to the plaintive cry of the curlews circling above. The farmers flock of geese had left their paddock and were out in the snowy field.

Had a flurry of snow here this morning but now the sun is shining, the sky is blue with a few white clouds and there is a stunning reflection in the water of Loch Ness.

Labels: birds

Sparrowhawk spotted.

Due to the vast number of birds that we feed on our new bird table it is not too surprising that the predatory sparrowhawk is in the vicinity. However,we designed the table with a hawk-proof roof so the smaller birds are quite safe eating. The other day the sparrowhawk unfortunately entered the air space of the family of hooded crows who have lived in Farigaig Forest for as long as we've lived here and he was attacked very noisily, eventually retreating to a tree until they had gone.

Labels: birds

Designer bird table

The wintery weather has finally blown away and the less chilly, lighter, longer days have arrived at last. Ray and I enthusiastically disappeared into the garage armed with our design for the new bird table. The original old bird platform is rotten and very near collapse and if I put another hook into the upright for a new bird feeder - it will!
We had alot of fun and and a bit of brain-scratching working out how to surmount problems but we were very pleased with the final result. The new upright is a beautiful length of silver birch we inherited from when we had the trees cut down at the front enabling us to have a supurb panoramic view of Loch Ness. We decided it was very important to have a roof this time to deter the noisy hooded crows as well as the predatory sparrowhawk.

The height of the roof allows the larger blackbirds to swoop in and out, stopping to gather as much bread as they can in their beaks before flying off with a cackle. The table is big enough to contain a tray for bread, a seed and sunflower dish and and a frying pan that doubles as a bird bath and water station.

Went to the local garden centre and bought a few colourful additions to brighten up the struts at ground level.

Maisie took a shine to Henry the Heron.

I do wonder if we feed the birds too much? What do you think?

Labels: birds

Mute swan.

Went for a brisk, crisp walk through Torr Woods which skirts Dores beach at the eastern end of Loch Ness. Crunched on the frosty ground and met many walkers with very friendly wet dogs. Saw this rather lonely mute swan at the marina which faces the small village of Loch End on the opposite shore. Walked all the way to Aldourie and then back along the lane to Dores Inn where the car was parked - about a distance of 5 miles.

Came home for some lovely hot soup and gradually thawed out.

Labels: birds

Red-legged Partridges.

Recently had a gang of 12 red-legged partridges swarm up the driveway stopping to peck at something tasty in the grass by the side. They have also been spotted wandering casually by the side of the single track road at the bottom of Inverfarigaig hill and we have even had to stop the car while they decide which side of the road they want to eventually aim for. Doing a bit of research I find that this species were introduced from France for shooting purposes some 200 years ago so they are also known as 'French Partridges'. They have a very distinctive voice and we often hear them before actually spotting where they are in the grounds. I guess this clutch was born in June/July and it is quite unusual for such a number to have survived the many predators around in the area. Check out more info and sounds on the red-leg.

Labels: birds

Sparrowhawk

As we stood looking out of the lounge window and enjoying a glass of champagne on our 36th wedding anniversary today a sparrowhawk suddenly landed on the tree outside - what a wonderful present. Cheers everybody. To find out more about this magnificent creature visit sparrowhawk info.

Labels: birds

Osprey

Drove over on the top road to Fort Augustus intending to park and walk casually along the Caledonian Canal looking at the various boating craft. Fort Augustus was very,very busy with people sitting out by the canal bank in the sunshine and others walking about and pointing cameras everywhere. Caught a glimpse of some very tall masted yachts waiting between the lock gates to be let out onto Loch Ness. The road is also a swing bridge so everything stops for the tall boats to come through.The car parks were full so we drove out of the village and turned left to the lesser known Auchterawe Woods.

Went for a relaxing circular walk breathing in the lovely fresh air and had the woods to ourselves. Spotted clumps of early flowering heather under the trees - usually abundant on the hillsides during the month of September.

Sitting out in the evening after dinner we saw three osprey circling high overhead, possibly the parents with a youngster. The young have to learn to fly rather quickly as they make the long journey back to Africa at the end of this month and we will not see them again until next April.

Labels: birds

A busy time for the birds.

A very busy pied wagtail has been flying onto the ground near the house to collect moss for the nest. He is quite bold and struts about on the pebbles looking for various construction materials much to the annoyance of the cats. A constant swarm of young siskins have been gorging at the table and nut feeders. Baby chaffinches are being fed by the parent birds although they will open their beaks to any bird in the location.

The lambs are growing quite rapidly now and wander about quite freely at the top of the corkscrew road where there is very little traffic to worry them.

Labels: birds

Baby siskins

There has been alot of activity on the bird table lately. Male birds have been stocking up with whatever is on the menu for the day- Ray's yorkshire pudding is a big favourite - and taking it back to the nest for mum and the youngsters. We had our first baby birds arrive on the nut feeders this afternoon - two female siskins -watched by a more colourful dad on the other feeder. They tried to copy dad but they weren't really sure what to do and sat there for ages overwhelmed by their new surroundings. A rather showery wet week but the rain was needed and very much appreciated by the flowering rhododendrons.

Labels: birds

The birds and bees.

Wondered why we had not seen many birds feeding at the bird table and nut feeders and then saw that they were too busy building their nests ready for their new clutch of eggs. The coal tits have been very enterprising and collect the cats fur that we throw out of the window after giving them a daily brush. We reckon they must have the best nests in the forest.

Meanwhile the robins have been busy collecting any oddments on the ground - bits of twig and moss and even pieces of the plastic membrane from under the pebbles.
The bees are now working non stop and are buzzing away in the daffodils and on the young fruit just appearing on the wild blueberry bushes growing everywhere.

Labels: birds

Keeping the birds happy

During last week we experienced a real mixture of weather patterns, at times not knowing if we should wear wet coats or T shirts. We have had mist, rain, rainbows, sunshine, starry nights followed by frost and even a late flurry of snow. Whatever the weather throws at us the birds still expect to be catered for and they reward us with an early morning chorus. Several mornings we have either had to break the ice in their water bowl or remove excessive rain

water from the feeding tray. The nut feeders have to be regularly topped up as they are very busy places in this inclement weather. They are visited by a rich variety of birds such as the great tit shown here or the male chaffinch in the above photo.

In the evening we have heard many owls in the surrounding forest, several times thinking they were on the TV programme we were watching only to turn off the sound and discover they were for real and very near the house. As we drove up to Aspenwood yesterday evening to meet our new guests an owl flew across the path right in front of the car and perched in a nearby tree watching us watching him. We regularly have a gang of three deer visit us in the late evening, setting off the outside lights as they casually stroll in front of our conservatory windows giving us the odd passing glance. February has gone and we look forward to Spring and all it brings.

Labels: birds

Great spotted woodpecker

Put up some new larger and sturdier nut feeders which attracted a variety of birdlife during the day. Always exciting to have the Great spotted woodpecker pay us a visit and he stayed for quite a while.

Labels: birds, great spotted, woodpecker

Bird life

The bird table is a flurry of activity this time of the year and there is always a mixed variety of foods on the menu. Breakfast time is especially busy and the nut feeders hooked under the table are a mass of little colourful bodies gorging themselves. Plenty of blue tits, coal tits, great tits and the other day we had a swarm of long tailed tits for the first time. The chaffinches, greenfinches and siskins appear throughout the day.The robins and blackbirds prefer to dine at the table and love any form of cake, bread and yorkshire pudding scraps. Had a female pheasant searching for food droppings on the ground under the table. She stayed for quite a while and was not frightened of the cat sitting near watching her, in fact the cat was more nervous the closer she got.

Some new Wildlife pages are going on to the website soon on the Things to do section. Also working on some Birdlife videos. Never a dull moment here!

Labels: birds

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Saw the Great Spotted Woodpecker at Aspenwood Cottage yesterday at the nut feeder under the bird table.

It stayed for quite a while and the other smaller birds did not seem to mind one bit.

This is the male with a red spot on the back of its head.

Labels: birds

Buzzard near Loch Ness

On our journey back from Inverness we suddenly glimpsed a buzzard sitting quite still on the grass in a field using its sharp eyes to spot a potential victim, usually a rabbit or any small mammal, carrion or insects. At first we thought it was a piece of tree trunk jutting out of the grass but then the sun glistened on its golden brown chest feathers and it tilted its head ever so slightly. We have often seen them circling above us in hunting flight or sitting on fence posts but this was the closest we have actually been to one of these magnificent birds of prey.
Several days of rain has now washed away a lot of the snow except for the very tops of the mountains. As we drove home we could just make out Urquhart Castle standing out against the ominous clouds rolling down Glen Urquhart.

Labels: birds

Mist and mistle thrushes

After a rather damp and dismal week with the haar mist rolling in daily from the North Sea Sunday dawned alot brighter and we could actually see across to the other side of Loch Ness. Autumn is definitely here and the leaves are rapidly turning yellowy brown and the slightest breeze makes them whirl down to the ground. The weather has been unusually mild for this time of year and I rescued a tiny baby siskin that had flown into the glass of the window, a second late hatch this year. After getting its breath back it flew away and I just hope it survives the coming winter.

The remaining red rowan berries are still on the trees and they attracted a family of mistle thrushes in a feeding frenzy. Fascinating to watch. They are the largest of our native thrushes and they are called mistle thrushes as they are fond of the sticky berries of the mistletoe but will willingly eat other berries. They can withstand the winter weather and lay eggs in late February in exposed nests at the top of trees.

Labels: birds

Birdlife and bath time.

A flutter of young bird life appears on the feeders under the bird platform here with varieties such as siskins, chaffinches,blue tits, great tits, coal tits, robins and blackbirds . I was amazed at the clever camouflage of this young elusive treecreeper on the tree trunk nearby. Note the curved needle like beak ideal for picking out tasty insects from the bark of the tree. The long stiff tail helps to anchor the bird as it tugs at some stubborn insect in the bark.
We put a new bird bath and more nut feeders and nut balls outside the lounge at Aspenwood attached to the fence, not only to attract the teeming bird life but also entice the red squirrels. We know they are about as guests have told us they have seen them run along the fencing and they have also been guilty of demolishing 2 lightweight nut feeders, now replaced with a more sturdy screw top variety. Hopefully I can capture them on film soon so watch this space.
One of our guests kindly emailed this photo of the male Great spotted woodpecker on the nuts at the bird table at Aspenwood. [Copyright Peter Townrow]

Labels: birds

Baby red-legged partridge chicks

Our family of red-legged partridges has just had a clutch of about 12 chicks. They are running on their little legs at great speed all over the pathways and we have to drive very carefully on our way out. The father was very protective of the chicks when we took these photos and made alot of protective noises. Both parents are similarly brightly coloured. They are also known as the French Partridge as they were introduced to Britain from France about 200 years ago. They are easily distinguished from the common partidge by their black and white eye stripes and the strongly barred feathers on its flanks. The eggs are never covered when the mother leaves the nest and there is a great loss caused by stoats, rats and other predators in the vicinity. It was a great honour watching the proud mother with her brood.

Labels: birds

Birdlife

The bird table is a busy place at the moment. There are more robins than before and they fly down from the nearby trees as soon as I put something tasty out on the table - today it was bacon fat. They also like the hanging ball of mixed food and are quite agile and acrobatic for their size. They are quite verbal in their appreciation. Also sighted quite a few siskins, chaffinches and blackbirds. The predatory sparrowhawk swoops down so fast but he is usually unlucky although he did give one of the cats quite a scare by zooming just over her head.

Labels: birds

Update on Philip the pheasant

Philip the pheasant has a new ladylove and they both have been seen walking round their estate. This is good news as Philip was behaving rather strangely by chasing alongside cars on the track. He especially took a fancy to the red Post Office mail van and would run alongside it up the driveway, wait for the mail to be delivered and then run with it down the track. We were all concerned about his well being. He can now be heard calling to the new love of his life somewhere in the grounds which brings a smile to our faces.

Labels: birds

Pleasant pheasants.

Sitting out in the evening sunshine yesterday when a very proud and plump male pheasant came strutting and clucking up the driveway. We wondered what all the noise and showing off was about but then saw that he was out to impress his female companion - as most males do. He escorted her round to the bird table where they enjoyed the remnants of seed and nuts on the ground - boy did this colourful guy know how to impress a lady!
Without waiting to pay the bill they ambled off down the grass bank and away for high jinks in the heather.

Labels: birds

Cottage Diary - Aspenwood self catering luxury Holiday Cottage overlooking Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Long tailed tits..

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Long Tailed Tits are back in the garden.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Goldfinch.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Watch the birdie.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Siskins everywhere.

Friday, April 11, 2008

The Snow Geese.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Sparrowhawk spotted.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Designer bird table

Monday, January 07, 2008

Mute swan.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Red-legged Partridges.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Sparrowhawk

Friday, August 03, 2007

Osprey

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

A busy time for the birds.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Baby siskins

Monday, April 16, 2007

The birds and bees.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Keeping the birds happy

Monday, January 01, 2007

Great spotted woodpecker

Friday, December 15, 2006

Bird life

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Buzzard near Loch Ness

Monday, October 23, 2006

Mist and mistle thrushes

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Birdlife and bath time.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Baby red-legged partridge chicks

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Birdlife

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Update on Philip the pheasant

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Pleasant pheasants.

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