Red squirrels having fun.

Families of red squirrels have been frequent visitors to the feeders outside Aspenwood Cottage. This one was at the nut feeder as we drove up last Saturday and it stayed there for some time, even when we threw open the lounge windows opposite the fence where the feeders are attached. The ear tufts are quite something and their tiny, but very useful claws, are exquisite. There is always a supply of peanuts and sunflower hearts in the laundry shed at the rear of the cottage in case the feeders need filling up. The 'Bookmark a Squirrel' project has been very useful in providing towards the funds for their never ending supply of peanuts.
They also come to visit us at Lower Birchwood House below Aspenwood and they are great fun to watch especially when the youngsters playing together.

Red squirrel at Lower Birchwood.

While we were sitting outside during a welcome sunny moment we were thrilled to see this cheeky chap suddenly appear from the undergrowth and hoover up the remains of the sunflower hearts under the feeders nearby. We have not seen many in our own garden since the harsh winter and were worried they might be have been fatally affected by the cold weather. There are now more leaves on the trees which provide a suitable cover for the squirrels from the predatory pine martens which inhabit the vicinity and can easily chase a squirrel up a tree. The suet balls hanging from the new fence at Aspenwood for the birds have been violently ripped apart lately which is evidence of the hungry pine marten so we now provide the smaller suet balls inside a stout wire cage. Hopefully the new breed of red squirrels will survive all that is thrown at them but at least they can be guaranteed a generous supply of food. 

Red squirrel at Aspenwood Cottage.

While we were up in Aspenwood Cottage on Saturday morning we were very pleased and excited to see this red squirrel emerge from nearby Farigaig Forest, sit for a while assessing the situation and then scamper along the new fence to the specially designed nut feeders. We were amazed at the size of its ear tufts and nails....but all the better to get the nuts out of the peanut feeders!

After the harsh winter we were beginning to get really worried about them as we had not seen as many squirrels as we have recorded in previous years. This cheeky chap was feeding very near the large lounge window for at least 20 minutes before it bounded off to have a drink at the water bath. It then scampered off and disappeared over the low fence where we surprisingly noticed it munching on some of the vegetation.

The squirrels are back .... so come and see them at close range from Aspenwood Cottage.

Aspenwood pine marten

Guests who stayed at Aspenwood Cottage recently took this video of a pine marten at one of the peanut feeders on the fence outside the lounge window......so many thanks to Tom and Mary from USA for sending this video to us. These native pine martens live in Farigaig Forest surrounding the cottage so future guests may be fortunate enough to view these elusive creatures at such close range.....keep a look out !

Still snowed in..

We have had blizzards off and on and very cold temperatures since 19th December are still surrounded by thick snow which has iced up.Sometimes the freezing fog descends making the scene look beautiful but quite unreal.We are opposite the highest point around Loch Ness, the dome shaped peak of Mealfuarvonie,standing at 2284 feet above sea level and covered in thick snow for the past few months. Loch Ness looks frozen at times although it is so deep that it never actually freezes. We did manage to get a lift into Inverness on Tuesday with friends who live the other side of Farigaig pier along a flattish stretch of lane. They were able to drive up to the top road which is sometimes gritted although neighbours did get behind a snow plough yesterday. We were in need of basic provisions and it was really good to get out of the house and see other people. We did try to get our 4x4 car out once but got it stuck reversing out of the garage so dug it out and thankfully drove it back in and there it is staying. After getting our essential shopping we drove back from town very slowly in a blizzard. At the pier we put our shopping in the blue wheelie bin and dragged it all the way to our house along some treacherous icy parts of the forest track.
The temperatures this last week have been well below zero all day, yesterday was minus 15C. We have been walking up the track to Aspenwood every other day mainly to bring the Christmas guests washing down here to deal with. We came up with a cunning plan and put the washing in thick black sacks and dragged them down the track and home. It is amazing the different animal tracks you find in the snow. We are certainly getting fitter, although this was not on our New Year resolution list !

Bullfinches at Aspenwood.

On Saturday at Aspenwood we suddenly saw the unmistakable brilliant flash of a bullfinch by the car port. He was soon joined by a female and was very protective of his partner, even fiercely chasing off another admirer before returning to her side and watching over her. We watched fascinated as they collected feathers from the dandelions for their nest.

To the beach....

Really hot weekend so went down to the nearby beach to splash about in Loch Ness and cool off. The water was freezing but very refreshing. Forgot to take a towel but dried off in a few minutes in the heat. We have ordered some new garden furniture for Aspenwood so intend to put some of the old chairs down on the beach. They will be very useful - not just for us to sit on but also for the many worn out walkers we see go down to the beach. We feel that a chair will be more comfortable than a hard rock. Thankfully it is much cooler today.

Goldfinch.

 A colourful goldfinch visited the nut feeder on the fence at Aspenwood on Saurday morning...a welcome sight as we do not see many of these although they are now becoming more common as garden birds. There are several bird books as well as a pair of binoculars in the cottage for guests to use to get a closer look at the various bird life that visit the table and feeders and bird bath. The goldfinch had a good feed and totally ignored the numerous playful red squirrels chasing each other along the fence and feeding on the adjacent feeder. The collective noun for goldfinches is a charm...what else could it be ? Another cheeky squirrel really enjoyed the peanuts that were scattered on the ground by the side of the bird bath.

Stag near Aspenwood

Guests staying in Aspenwood Cottage last week were walking casually up the driveway when they noticed a large stag on the path ahead. It was standing quite still and staring at the two strangers approaching. Steve realised he had not got his trusty camera with him and, although very excited, he managed to keep his cool and slowly turned round and went back to the cottage for the equipment.When he returned the stag had not moved a muscle and thus the evidence was produced.Only when Steve and Barbara tried to get even closer did the stag turn tail and run off into Farigaig Forest. Thanks for sharing your photos.