Returnees.

April has heralded in some of our welcome returnees marking the beginning of another season. As we sat outside yesterday evening gazing over the loch and admiring the view we saw the unmistakable sight of Ollie, our resident osprey, soaring high up in the sky having flown in all the way from Africa for the breeding season. After mating and bringing their offspring into the world they build up their strength so that all the family can make it back to Africa in late August. On a much smaller note the colourful siskins are back and really enjoy the new sunflower heart feeder. Ray has cunningly adapted this feeder so that the precious food does not fall down to the ground for the mice but stays in the tray provided where it becomes another feeding station. Work has now been completed on the swing bridges over the Caledonian Canal, a process which made the entrance to Loch Ness inaccessible over the past few months. We have seen quite a collection of working boats, the sea lifeboat, pleasure cruisers and today 'The Lord of the Glens' liner glided along the loch from Urquhart Castle taking passengers on an Easter voyage.
The buds of the wild primroses are waiting to burst into flower but best of all the sun has returned to warm us all up at last and today we experienced a wonderful reflection on the waters of Loch Ness. Welcome April.