Another annual leave day to use up, another trip to Strathspey. This time, walked from the ski car park to Boat of Garten via the Ryvoan Pass, Forest Lodge and Loch Garten (nearly 20 miles). Notable sightings included Red and Black Grouse (the latter lekking at one site), a pair of Hooded Crows at East Croftmore and a mixed group of Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and a single White Wagtail on a ploughed field at Tulloch. Botanical highlights included a red-fruiting lichen on Scots Pine stumps at Tom da Choimhead and a filamentous orange fungus growing on a Juniper bush at Cuchanlupe.

Impressions of Strathspey in April include:

Its changeable (we had sun, rain and hail in the course of the day).

Its deserted (we saw less than ten people between the Coire na Ciste car park and Tulloch). 

Its slightly greener than earlier in the year, but still predominantly yellow and brown.
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