Another weeks visit to Stag Cottage at Glen Hurich, Arnarmurchan this time with friends John and Julian and once again full of wildlife, scenery and lovely walks. Pine Martens were on top form and very obliging to pose for us, all seen from the cottage window. This time we added a fallen conifer branch to give a more natural look where possible. We recognised at least four different individuals including this male above but thought there might have been five?
A bonus was the Pine Martens appeared while it was still daylight any time from 8pm. Since the last visit I had brought a trail camera and this was put to good use capturing 60 second video coverage in both daylight and darkness.
One of those magic moments when one of the pine martens decided to look over the rock to see what goodies were available. On this occasion Peanuts and peanut butter.
It was very noticeable despite knowing of our presence at the window the pine martens were very wary of the presence of each other in the vicinity. Some times as in this video one would quickly make way when another possibly more dominant pine marten appeared or chased it off. At times there were very aggressive moments to each other especially between males and at night there eerie yowls could be heard on such encounters. There were other moments when they tolerated each other, maybe a pair or parents and siblings from last year? Their were also a courting couple and two occasions.
Pine Marten caught on the trail camera again, this time in low light.
Pine Martens are very agile, climb very well and balanced on the smallest of branches. Fine sense of smell meant they did not miss any of the food put out.
As well as peanuts, peanut butter and the fruit cake we put out each evening, the pine martens got the occasional treat of an egg. Never took them long to spot these and quickly left the other food in favour of the egg. Tended to take a few attempts to find the best way of picking up the egg but they always took this away with out breaking it or eating it on the spot as in the video above.
The advantage of having a trail camera meant not missing any events of interest after we had long since gone to bed. This was one such occasion when a courting couple were caught on camera, playing together and getting very amorous.
There was also a badger who visited every night but the earliest we managed to observe was at 12 midnight. The rest of the week the badger was caught on the trail camera in the early hours of the morning. All the footage was of the badger feeding on the remaining peanuts left by the pine martens.
Visited Ariundle nature reserve once again and like the rest of Britain the vegetation was a least a few weeks behind. On past visits in the same period the Gorse was well into flower and the trees in bud. On the last few visits here have been lucky enough to have great views of an Golden Eagle.
Old bridge on route to Castle Tioram
Ardnarmurchan is has on the whole only single track roads and only a small amount of traffic. The Point is the only place you are likely to find a set of permanent traffic lights and only here due to no passing bays on the approach road to the point.
View from the Point on a windy but sunny day
While their Julian befriended this Border Collie who apart from chasing the cars approaching the car park very much captured our attention with his antics and was fascinated by the incoming waves or what was coming in with them.
Their are various places on Ardnarmurchan where you can see Common Seals basking on the rocks at low tide and not easy to miss. Almost sure to see them at the Hide between Strontian and Resipole
Red Deer such as this female are a common sight and you will certainly see them on route to the Point from Ben Hiant to Kilchoan. They were on the road or nearby most days between our cottage and Strontian, usually in small groups.
Glen Miodart is one of my most favourite places and make a point of visiting on a good day though the weather in Scotland can quickly turn. The views are splendid here and have even nick named it Cuckoo valley as in May you are most likely to hear if not see one here. Golden Eagles are frequently seen here to.
Sanna Bay well worth a visit, great beaches and clear sea. Weather was very changeable on our visit this time with a mix of blue and grey sky
