Grebe joins dippers in the Highlands

Loch Ruthven, Highlands There was a splash as the Slavonian grebe landed close to the hide. What colours - the bird was so close I was in awe

Walking along the eastern shore of Loch Ruthven I was full of anticipation approaching the wildlife hide. The loch, surrounded by snow-capped hills, was flat calm. A few faint croaks broke the silence. I stopped to listen and only then noticed a male toad at the side of the path, shuffling along as only toads do, heading for the loch and the distant call.

Then another male, this one more fortunate as it was hitching a ride on a female, forelegs grasping her tightly; the pair would mate when they reached the water. I walked on into the birch and rowan woodland, soothed by the babbling waters of a burn and the rippling warble of a male dipper's song. Dippers are very early breeding birds. I guessed that he would already have a female sitting on eggs further up the burn.