Started the day along the Spey at Speybank. The (deciduous) woods were alive with singing Willow Warblers (33 in one hour), Chaffinches and Tree Pipits. Other woodland birds included Siskin and Redpoll. On the river were Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Mallard and a female Red breasted Merganser. Back at Alvie, a female Goldeneye was alone on the loch (although later she was escorting three ducklings). The main event of the day was a walk from Grantown-on-Spey to Nethybridge. Part of the walk was along the Spey, and water birds included plenty of Mallard and Common Sandpiper plus Grey Wagtail at Spey Bridge and Dipper at Nethybridge village. Land birds included Lapwing, Curlew, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, a calling Cuckoo near Abernethy Golf Course and a single Yellowhammer on the outskirts of Nethybridge. Early evening at Alvie produced the surprise of the day - an Osprey circling low over the small loch in front of the big house. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android