There were 18 walkers out on todays walk as we set off to travel to Tarfside in Glen Esk. A comfort stop was made at Edzell before arriving at our start point where a Rights of Way signpost pointed our way towards the Firmounth/ Fungle routes. Two members stayed on the bus to continue around to Glen Tanar for shorter walks.
Signs of Spring were in the air as we headed to Shinfur with sounds of a cuckoo calling and overhead the sweet trills of a skylark while 2 lapwings were defending their nesting grounds with loud “pee wit” calls. The weather clouds were high but rain was forecast for around 11am and as predicted it arrived on time as we ascended the hill track. Our group stopped to put on full rain gear before continuing to Tampie and Gannoch Hill. Good views of Mount Keen and the distant Cairngorms were however visible before we descended towards GlenTanar Forest.
The rain eased off for a time and at a track junction in the sheltered woods we came upon a lone Capercaillie displaying and defending his territory. As this is a protected and endangered species we carefully negotiated around the bird though it gave chase to us. Gilbert had dropped his hat on the track and the bird took pleasure in attacking it and tossing it in the air! Needless to say he had to leave the hat to the bird. We continued through the woods meeting up with some Ramblers walkers also on an outing in this area.
All arrived back at the bus around 4pm and after a pub stop at Aboyne our driver Jules had us home early to Aberdeen.
Frank Kelly