Red Squirrel Encounter.

 The day after our climb of Cairngorm Mountain, we had a much easier day sitting in a hide!! As Lisa had been to this part of Scotland before, in which she had been to this Red Squirrel hide, she was very keen on using it again, and as I had not even seen a Red Squirrel before, apart from a fleeting glimpse many years ago in Norfolk, I too was keen to give it a go.

As it was, it was actually the best day for weather during all our time in Scotland, which was in a way a shame to spend most of it in a hide, however, at least the light was a little better even though it was in a woodland setting.

The sun was shining with no wind and a heavy frost sitting on the Heather around the hide, which meant our feet and hands also got very cold!!

All the time in the hide we were entertained by lots of Coal Tits which were enjoying the peanuts that had been put out. 

It wasn't long before I spotted the first Red Squirrel. I think I had just poured out a cup of tea, when I looked up and spotted it sitting there as it munched on a Hazelnut. After a short while it was joined by a 2nd Squirrel and a fabulous chase developed as they chased each other around the trunk of a tree. We then enjoyed several more sightings as they came back occasionally to eat more Hazelnuts, although every time they became two the chase started up again.

The Elegant Red Squirrel.

After an hour or so of occasional visits the Squirrels vanished and we were left to a few birds. As well as the numerous Coal Tits we also had Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Great Tits and a Treecreeper. However, the Coal Tits provided most entertainment, even landing a couple of times on my hand when I put a few crushed peanuts on them.

Coal Tit.

As the sun got a little lower in the sky, and it got even colder, we decided to call it a day for the hide. However, it was still a lovely day outside so we headed to Loch Garten for a stroll. The water on the loch was as still as a millpond and there was a fabulous reflection in the water of the autumnal colours, with a snow topped mountain behind it. A simply stunning day!!

Loch Garten.