Bird Spotting record for April 2017

Group of Ornithologists spot thirty species whilst staying at Appletree Cottage 

In late August this year (2017) a group of ornithologists came to stay in Appletree Cottage for four nights.  During the days they were here they spotted thirty varieties of bird from the cottage.  
Our guests enjoyed being able to sit inside in the warmth of the cottage and look through their telescopes and binoculars to scan the open countryside through the large picture windows.
The group also took advantage of some of local bird and wildlife sanctuaries at Gartocharn (south end of Loch Lomond), and at Aberfoyle, .  
Next time they hope to visit other nearby  sanctuaries including Flanders Moss on the carse near Kippin and Inchcailloch, a beautiful  island nature reserve on Loch Lomond with a regular passenger ferry service from Balmaha.  Another treat would be to spot the hen harriers of Glen Fruin.  
All of the above sites are within twenty minute drive from Appletree Cottage.

Appletree Cottage as newly built

Slightly further afield is Inversnaid on the remote eastern shore of Loch Lomond and home to some black grouse and golden eagles.  
​
The spotting records our April visitors are detailed below...
​

Birds Spotted from Appletree Cottage  21-25 April 2017

​Blackbird
Blackcap
Blue Tit
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Dunnock
Goldfinch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Grey Wagtail
Greylag Goose
House Martin
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Meadow Pipit
Mistle Thrush
Osprey
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Robin
Song Thrush
Starling
Swallow
Treecreeper
Wood Pigeon

Birds spotted at nearby wildlife sanctuaries (in addition to those already spotted at Appletree Cottage​). 21-25 April 2017

​Bullfinch
Canada Goose
Chiffchaff
Coal Tit
Collared Dove
Common Gull
Goldcrest
Goosander
Greenfinch
Grey Heron
Herring Gull
Hooded Crow
Little Grebe
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Mute Swan
Oystercatcher
Raven
Redpoll
Rook
Siskin
Tawny Owl
Willow Warbler
Wren

Appletree Cottage Patio