Day Trips in New Vannie

 Over the last few weeks, the relaxing of some of the Covid-19 Restrictions has meant that we have been able to get out in New Vannie for a few day trips. We find it useful to have our own space to retreat to if the weather turns, and we also have the benefit of our own toilet facilities. Here are a few photos of some of the day trips we have enjoyed.

Loch Earn Round Trip

We headed up the M90 and turned off to drive through Glendevon and on to Gleneagles before stopping briefly at Crieff for a bite of lunch in the van. We then carried on to St Fillans on the shore of Loch Earn, where we parked up with a commanding view across the loch:

View of Loch Earn from New Vannie

Rear View wasn't too shabby either

It was a bit showery when we arrived but that didn't stop us from enjoying the views from the dry and warm van:

Looking West Down Loch Earn

Great Views

On the South side of the Loch we could see the Caravan Park at Ardtrostan, or Loch Earn Leisure Park as it is officially known. It is a place we have passed by in the car but never took the motorhome to (I think it has a few touring pitches):

Loch Earn Leisure Park across the loch

There wasn't too much wildlife activity on the loch, a few Mallards and a couple of Goosanders in the distance. A couple of the Mallards were queueing outside the motorhome, obviously looking for something:

Mallards Waiting Patiently

What's Up Duck?

It become obvious what they were waiting for when a car pulled up behind us and started to throw a whole loaf of bread (in small chunks) out the car window. Then every Mallard on the loch (and there were dozens) got out the water and gravitated towards this bun-fight.

After about twenty minutes the car drove away, the ducks finished off the bread then peace and tranquillity returned to the loch-side layby. We scanned the loch for any sign of bird life (other than Mallards) but there was nothing about; even the pair of Goosanders had dropped off the radar. Then I noticed a little bird flitting about in the bushes next to the water, right in front of our motorhome window. It was pretty hard to catch it on camera, but I did my best:

 It was a Chiffchaff, the first migrant warbler I had seen this year.

The weather was starting to close in again and the clouds were gathering over the distant hills:

Brooding Skies over Loch Earn

Rain is on its way

We decided to move on, heading along the loch towards Lochearnhead; here we turned South and drove down through Strathyre, past Loch Lubnaig and on to Callander. We pulled into the car/coach park at Callander for a comfort break and a cup of coffee in the van.

Car/Coach Park at Callander

Car Park with a view (sort of)

After our coffee break we decided that we would just head home; we drove to Stirling and joined the M9 motorway which took us all the way back. An enjoyable little day trip, even if we didn't really venture out of the motorhome.

Ayrshire Trip

This was a trip with a purpose; I had an Upland Breeding Bird Survey to carry out near Loch Doon on behalf of the BTO. I travelled down the day before the survey to Craigie Gardens Caravan Park in Ayr so that I could get an early start the next morning; Moira chose to stay at home. 

That afternoon I went out for a walk along the banks of the River Ayr to see what was about and get some fresh air:

Trees along the banks of the River Ayr

The River Ayr

There were a few birds dotting around, mainly Blue Tits, Great Tits and Coal Tits. On the river there were some Mallards and a Heron, which you might see in this photo:

Spot the Heron

I did video the Heron but it was pretty inactive so I won't bore you with that. I carried on along the river, crossed at the footbridge then headed in towards the town centre (please no jokes about the racing driver who's name sounds a bit like Ayr Town Centre)

Nice View of River Ayr

View from Footbridge

I didn't go all the way into the centre but crossed back over the river and returned to the caravan park.

That evening I enjoyed the birds singing in the trees and bushes dotted around the caravan park, including a Tawny Owl (or two) calling in the early darkness.

It was a 5:30am rise for me, a quick wash, some breakfast and then get the motorhome ready to head off to Loch Doon. It was about a 3/4 hour drive from Craigie Gardens to Loch Doon and I parked in my usual layby just south of the tiny hamlet of Eriff. 

The area I have to survey is on the northern shore of Loch Doon and sits on the Ayrshire/Dumfries & Galloway border. It takes about half an hour to walk from the layby to the starting point of my survey, passing through several fields which (at this time of year) are full of ewes and lambs:

Track Heading Towards Loch Doon

You have to be very mindful of not disturbing the sheep, take your time and let them move away at their pace, ensuring that the lambs don't get separated from their mothers. It does mean the half hour walk to the starting point can take an extra ten minutes, but that's okay.

 Whilst walking along the track I spotted this Meadow Pipit on an old wall, so I took a little video of it:

Just before I reached the starting point of my survey I saw another Meadow Pipit on the railings of a bridge over the burn, this one looked a bit different:

It appeared to have a red spot on it's chest; and on closer inspection of the video this appears to be blood? I don't know what caused such an injury but the bird looked healthy enough and flew off when I got closer.

I reached the starting point of my survey and enjoyed the views whilst I changed from my boots to my wellies.

Southern Uplands

Loch Doon

My survey area takes me off the track and over the moors to the top of the hill, and yes it can be quite boggy in places, hence the need for wellies. It is a hard slog up the hill, over rough terrain whilst watching and listening for breeding birds, but the views from the top of the hill are worthwhile:

Loch Doon from Top of Hill

Looking Doon Loch Doon

Yes, I was there!

I always have a 5 minute break at the top of the hill before I traverse the moor to start the downhill portion of my survey. This part is the really boggy bit, and as I have found to my dismay on previous visits, wellies are essential. 

As you get further down the hill and closer to Loch Doon the moorland gets less boggy and much more rocky.

Rocky Foreshore

This is usually where I see Wheatear during my survey, and this time was no exception, however my attempts to video them was rather disappointing. A fleeting view of the white a**e from which the name Wheatear is derived:

Well at least the views of Loch Doon from the foreshore were a bit more attractive:

Loch Doon Looking West

Loch Doon Looking South

Loch Doon Looking West

This was the end point for my survey, I had to then follow the shoreline back to where I started the survey before I could then join the track, through the fields, along the road and back to the layby. It was a total of 7.5km (or 4.7 miles in old money) mostly over rough terrain and it took me almost 3 hours to complete; needless to say I was plum tuckered out.

A spot of lunch, and a little rest and I was ready for the two and a half hour drive home; and you were wondering why Moira chose not to join me? She's not daft, that's why!

Day Trip to Pettycur Bay

This was a bit of an impromptu trip, Moira had a hairdo appointment in Kirkcaldy and agreed to take her there and back. I decided to take New Vannie so that I could do some bird watching for a couple of hours whilst she was getting her hair cut/curled/straightened/dipped/dyed/highlighted/trimmed/shaped (delete as appropriate). 

I decided to go to Pettycur Bay near Kinghorn, mainly because it has a car park right on the foreshore, but also because it can be a pretty good spot for bird watching. I was fortunate to get Vannie parked in a prime spot that allowed me to open the rear window and have a luxury hide with a great view on this pretty wet day:

It was pretty wet on arrival

The rain did die down a bit and I was able to get the window open, the view did not disappoint: 

View towards Inchkeith

Along the foreshore towards Kinghorn

View across to Leith and Edinburgh

Although the views across the firth were great my eyes were drawn to the large group of Eiders in the immediate vicinity of the foreshore:

Eiders on Foreshore

Male Eiders in Breeding Plumage

Magnificent Drake Eiders

Whilst the Drake Eiders look magnificent in their breeding plumage the Duck Eiders are pretty much 'streaky brown' all over. There were only one or two females in amongst dozens of males I saw on the rocks and in the water. The video below shows plenty of males posturing, displaying and bickering with each other to gain the attention of a single female:

If you thought that was bedlam and you felt sorry for the poor Duck Eider being pestered by all these Drakes, then you might be surprised to find out it got even worse when the Duck took to the water to get away from these Drakes:

Whilst I was watching all this drama unfold I was totally oblivious to the fact that a large Royal Navy ship had just rounded Inchkeith Island and was steaming up the Firth of Forth:

This is HMS Albion and I was reliably informed by our naval expert (thanks Danny) that it was taking part in a NATO exercise off the coast of Scotland.

Here are a couple of photos of it passing by Leith and Edinburgh area:

HMS Albion

HMS Albion passing Leith

Back on the foreshore the tide had retreated somewhat and birds started to appear on the recently uncovered slipway and rocks in front of me, including this Oystercatcher:

Oystercatcher

I swung my telescope round and snapped a few photos using my mobile phone over the telescope eyepiece:

Oystercatcher Feeding

Eiders Resting

Eiders on a rock

I also managed to get a reasonable video of an Oystercatcher feeding and calling:

A familiar song to those of us who life near the estuary.

It was nearly time for me to go and pick up Moira, but Pettycur had one last treat for me as whole swarm of Swallows flew in and started to feast on flies above the rocks on the shoreline:

That was the abridged version, it seemed to go on for ages, but I had to fire up New Vannie and head to Kirkcaldy. 

Farewell Inchkeith and Pettycur...................... until the next time:

Don't Look Back in Anger

That's all folks!

Teddyedward