Wildlife in the area.

The abundant red squirrels are daily visitors on the feeding platform at the cottage and they are often joined by a rich variety of birds. Guests this month have seen great tit, blue tit, coal tit, robin, chaffinch, goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker, greenfinch and ‘Cedric the siskin’….it is not just us who give the creatures names! This week we have initially heard and then seen a gang of long tailed tits zooming in and out of the trees.One of our guests this week was in the lounge at 1 a.m. and looked out of the window to see a badger eating the remains of food on the ground under the feeders. It was also scooping food out of the water bath on the ground which is conveniently placed there for the pheasants who visit.

We know there is a large badger sett in the forest adjoining the cottage as we have been able to photograph them [as above] but they are rarely seen. Guests staying at the cottage last week went to Chanonry Point and actually saw the Moray Firth dolphins. Even though they have been visiting us for many years they have never managed to see these wonderful marine creatures before. The predatory sparrowhawk suddenly appears from nowhere and sometimes manages to catch a bird in his lethal talons although they ignore the squirrels….too heavy to carry off. Lots of wildlife to see.

What spooked the squirrel ?

While working at Aspenwood I always like to look out of the lounge window to check on the local wildlife and see if the feeders need filling and the bird bath needs cleaning. I was amused to see this young red squirrel run along the platform fence to feed and then stop in its tracks. It could hear something I couldn't and was shaking its tail in alarm and stamping its feet.....what had it seen ? Soon the mystery was solved.
Not long after there were 3 squirrels outside the lounge window eating at various feeders.
Best watched with the sound off............enjoy.

Loch Ness Marathon 2011

The very popular 10th annual Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running took place yesterday including various events of different lengths. As well as the 26 mile Marathon there was also a 10K and 5K race as well as the 'Wee Nessie' race for pre-school children. More than 8,000 runners from 45 countries took part in these various events. More than 3,000 runners entered for the Loch Ness Marathon gathering at Whitebridge and the first group of serious runners set off at 10 a.m. in a misty drizzle from very low cloud with the intention of reaching Inverness after 26 miles. Other competitors followed running for many different charities and personal causes some even dressing up for the occasion and making it more of a fun run. We walked up to watch from the entrance to Aspenwood Cottage and offered encouragement and support plus lots of light hearted laughs to spur the runners on their way.
The winner was Great Britain International Tomas Abyu from Salford Harriers who finished the race in 2hrs 20mins. He also won this race in 2003 and 2010.