Last night, you keen-eyed bloggers spotted some movement on the tree feeder. It was indeed a pine marten, but who we don’t know! Why did it not use the tall feeder? Does it not know there is food up there? It certainly wasn’t scared off by the many deer around and had a good feast on the peanuts for about 10 mins. Our pine marten evening will go ahead tomorrow night and hopefully our visitor will make an appearance again.

A red squirrel made a quick appearance yesterday morning, but no other sightings during the day. I am starting to think the fatalities on the loch-side road may have been our squirrels which would mean we only have 2 or 3 individuals left. Not a good sign for breeding next year. I am hopeful they are fine and are just off elsewhere collecting the harvest for their cache and will be back when the weather takes a turn for the worst.

The loch is providing a huge number of wintering birds with some lovely grub and a nice sheltered spot when the heavens open. Recently we have been witnessing over 200 starlings with their pre-roosting displays and loud chatter before bedtime. On Friday there were about 2000 black-headed gulls at the top end of the loch, and many are hanging around possibly making this their winter home. We have had sightings of hooper swans, wigeon, coot, and geese although not in as many numbers as this time last year.

At the feeders we have a pair of goldfinches which are making a daily appearance on the niger feeders. They are winter visitors here at Lowes so we know it’s winter when they appear. No other sightings of brambling yet, but I sure they are not far away. The siskin numbers are increasing at last, as are the chaffinch and tit numbers. Long-tailed tits are coming in closer to the centre and feeders. Hopefully they will start to use the feeders as they did last winter. The fox has made 4 visits this month, which is exciting!

Lots to see and it’s getting harder to count them!

Fiona