Saturday 1st April 2005.

Another early start. Got to Loch Garten at 6 am. Colder today, with mist over the loch but clear blue skies above. Two pairs of Goldeneye swimming quietly on the loch, with a few Lesser Black backed Gulls loafing in the distance and about 20 Greylag Geese flying over. Watched the female Osprey on the nest as the sun came up. Still no Capercaillies, but compensated by a lovely female Great spotted Woodpecker on the feeders.
Along the road, noticed two Red Squirrels fighting (with bits of bark sent flying). Then at Glenmore Forest visitor centre (see pic below), watched male Greenfinches singing in the sunshine. Reluctantly heading down the A9, noticed Coltsfoot growing in at least one layby (see photo above).
Stopped at Loch of the Lowes on the way home. Best birds there were a pair of Mandarins (fantastic views), two Siskins (coming to the feeders) and the newly arrived female Osprey (standing on the nest).
Also stopped in Edinburgh, at Inverlieth Pond (Mute Swans, Mallards and solitary Moorhen and Tufted Duck, first Ladybird of the year and dead Bumble Bee), before heading home via Little France (noticing a fantastic show of Alexanders along the verges next to Craigmillar Castle).