Another guided walk - another flock of Scottish Crossbills. April has definitely been living up to its billing as one of the best months to see and hear Scotland's only endemic bird, as breeding individuals proclaim their territory and any unpaired birds continue to sing and display.

Many of the broadleaved trees are already in bud too, with incredible colours and formations to be discovered for those prepared to look a little closer at these otherwise inconspicuous floral offerings.

An ash bud or a sycamore leaf can appear as elaborate and strange as a Salvador Dali painting - if only we stop to enjoy the wonderful world quietly emerging all around us.

It's also a pleasure to report that our afternoon walk in Abernethy Forest was a great success - as well as Ospreys and Red Squirrels at the Visitor Centre, we spied a male Capercaillie in the clearing that no-one else had noticed!

On the walk itself, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Siskin all put in an appearance, with Goldeneye and Greylag Geese on the lochs and a colony of Wood Ants rounding off a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's work!