Glen Esk 15/04/2010

Went back up to Glen Esk today, weather wasn't as nice as Monday but it was just as pleasent especially as it was a bit cooler!

Almost straight away I could hear the red grouse calling and soon spotted one male who came flying straight over when I started to approach his female who was hiding in the heather on the other side of the fence!  He started doing a little display as I stood and watched, before I decided it was time to continue on my way.  I was surprised at how close I managed to get to the grouse, especially on a shooting estate!  Saw a couple of ravens flying overhead, quickly joined by the many lapwings that were in the area who weren't pleasent to see them there!  Oystercatcher and curlew were also about.  Having gone through a gate I was taken by surprise by a stoat running across my path with a meal in it's mouth!  It disappeared into the heather before I had time to even react!  Also spotted hares, wheatear, skylark, pied wagtail, mistle thrush, blackbird, buzzard, blue tit, great tit and chaffinch!