Breeding season is always a wonderful and exciting time of year, especially at Kinnordy.
Lots of family groups have been seen on a daily basis. Last count was; 3 mute swan families - 1 pair with 1 cygnet and 1 pair with 5 cygnets seen from East hide and another pair with 4 cygnets seen from Gullery hide. Perhaps thats not all with another 4 pairs of mute swan based at the reserve? Also from Gullery hide you can sometimes see a female mallard with a brood of 7 older ducklings. There is a possible young female gadwall. And some young moorhens and coots swimming around the main loch. Even two possible young grey herons have been spotted around Swamp hide recently.
The marsh harrier pair are still around - and we are still hopefull they will be successful with their breeding attempts but no-one will know for sure for a little bit longer. Young ospreys will be fledging soon, so look for family groups at the loch. At least two ospreys are seen frequently still fishing over the loch.
A surprise visitor popped into Kinnordy in the form of a great white egret, seen from 5-7th June. That was quite exciting to see.
We've heard lots of the water rail lately - but unfortunately most of us still haven't seen them yet. It may still be early yet, but hopefully in the weeks to come the water rail will venture out in front of the hides, like last year, for all to see.
I've finally heard snipe at the west end of the reserve - during one of the breeding wader surveys. I'm not sure how long they've been there but it's a first for me this year. Theres a few reed bunting at the west end, but also a couple around Gullery and East Hide. And a sedge warbler continues to pose perfectly for pictures at the left-hand side of Gullery hide.