A full and eventful day spent in the Loch Insh / Kincraig / Inshriach area produced several interesting sightings including masses of fungi (Orange-Peel Fungus and Greater Puffball probably my highlights), three mammals (Rabbit, Red Squirrel and Stoat) and some good birds including 50 Meadow Pipits, Jay at three sites, Redpoll at two, Crossbill at one and a single Stonechat. Full report as follows: 

An early start enabled me to be at the railway underpass at the north west corner of Loch Insh by 08:20. Strong, low sunlight and a mist over the water made counting the birds present quite challenging. However I reckoned there were three Cormorants, one Mute Swan and uncertain numbers of Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye. Fourteen Greylag Geese flew over and eight Swallows (including some short-tailed juveniles) kept up a constant twittering as they fed around the Sycamores and other trees next to the railway line. Two Meadow Pipits were the first of what would prove to be many for the day. The conditions, by the way, were bright but cold with strong sunshine and little wind; a near perfect autumn day.
At least three Pied Wagtails were feeding on the roof of Kincraig Community Hall and they kept up their cheerful calling as I relaxed, waiting for my walking companions. Another thirty Greylags flew over plus the first of two Pink-footed Goose flocks for the day (this one containing 25 birds flying south). Other birds announcing their presence with their calls consisted of Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Buzzard, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Coal Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Redpoll. The walk down through Kincraig to Loch Insh added more, typical Highland village birds consisting of Collared Dove, Greenfinch and Goldcrest with Goldeneye and Mallard on the loch.
The walk south from Insh Church was notable for Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit, Crossbill and Jay plus a big concentration of Meadow Pipits, a Red Admiral Butterfly and an excellent showing of fungi with Brown Birch Bolete in the woods, Common Puffball on the roadside and lots of Orange Peel fungus on the path edges. Fungi really were a feature of the day with all sadly remaining unidentified, except for the very distinctive Fly Agaric.
Uath Lochans were perfectly still except for the presence of numerous small flies benefitting from the calm conditions. The Heather (Ling) had "gone over" for the year (after an exceptional showing this year by all accounts) but a few patches were still in flower in sheltered spots and some Cross-leaved Heath flowers were also found. Walking through the woods, the herb layer was still very luxuriant with extra colour provided by ripe black Blaeberries and red Cowberries. Also by the scarlet autumn leaves on some of the Bilberry plants.
Arriving at the south shore of Loch Insh, the birds present were the same as those seen first thing apart from a flock of 26 Canada Geese. Nearer the water sports centre, a male Bullfinch accompanied by a juvenile showed well and Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit and Siskin were added to the day list.
An unscheduled dash in the car produced two of the best sightings of the day: a Red Squirrel bounding across the road and then a Stoat (in summer coat) standing on the roadside waiting for a Carrion Crow to finish feeding on a small mammal or bird that had fallen victim to the traffic. An afternoon walk down to the loch for some "wild swimming" produced another highlight in the form of a lone Stonechat buzzing around some rank vegetation.
The final outing of the day was to the Insh Marshes Visitor Centre. On the way, eight Feral Pigeons were over Kingussie and a Dipper was under Ruthven Bridge while another three Pink-footed Geese flew south. The marshes were quiet, as they often can be, but a group of Mallards quacked away nervously, two Grey Herons had a minor altercation and a Rabbit crouched motionless on the "island". Heading down the A9 at the end of the day, two Ravens flew over near the turn-off for Trinafour.
Impressions of Badenoch in September:
The light is excellent and the colours vibrant.
Apart from the brown of the heather and the green of the trees, most of the colour in the countryside is provided by fungi, and by the yellowing leaves of Birch.
There is still a lot of bird noise, whether from singing Robins, squabbling Rooks, nervous Mallards, squawking Herons and Jays, anxious Bullfinches or the "honk-honk" and "wink-wink"  of Greylag and Pink-footed Geese passing high overhead.