Highland Nature Capercaillie Policy
With the current ongoing and very serious decline of Capercaillie Highland Nature has decided to adopt a responsible policy in searching for this species. We believe that no matter how careful, disturbance can be caused by birders and groups ANY time of the day during the breeding season when entering any sensitive habitat (1st March-15th August), even when in vehicles, noise and cameras out of windows can still disturb.
It is not the case as many believe that the early morning lek is the most sensitive time. The hens are drawn in by this but the actual mating can take place throughout the morning once they are there. If the hens are disturbed away from the males then they fail to mate. Later in the season, when the hens are with chicks, accidental flushing can lead to them becoming separated and exposed to predators.
Capercaillie will no longer be included as one of our target species during this period as the welfare of the birds must always come first. We firmly believe that this species should now be left well alone by birders, photographers and tour groups during the critical breeding season and should not be deliberately targeted at any site either on foot or by vehicles off-road. As a Schedule One protected species there is of course always the risk that any disturbance could be in breach of the law also.
Autumn and winter are by far the best seasons to search for Capercaillie and with no risk of disturbance to breeding birds. We know plenty of excellent habitat to search for them, though with far fewer birds these days we make it clear that a full day is recommended. It is of course quite possible we may come across a bird incidentally and we always keep our ear to the ground for any recent sightings of birds on our patch from locals and birders.
With the current ongoing and very serious decline of Capercaillie Highland Nature has decided to adopt a responsible policy in searching for this species. We believe that no matter how careful, disturbance can be caused by birders and groups ANY time of the day during the breeding season when entering any sensitive habitat (1st March-15th August), even when in vehicles, noise and cameras out of windows can still disturb.
It is not the case as many believe that the early morning lek is the most sensitive time. The hens are drawn in by this but the actual mating can take place throughout the morning once they are there. If the hens are disturbed away from the males then they fail to mate. Later in the season, when the hens are with chicks, accidental flushing can lead to them becoming separated and exposed to predators.
Capercaillie will no longer be included as one of our target species during this period as the welfare of the birds must always come first. We firmly believe that this species should now be left well alone by birders, photographers and tour groups during the critical breeding season and should not be deliberately targeted at any site either on foot or by vehicles off-road. As a Schedule One protected species there is of course always the risk that any disturbance could be in breach of the law also.
Autumn and winter are by far the best seasons to search for Capercaillie and with no risk of disturbance to breeding birds. We know plenty of excellent habitat to search for them, though with far fewer birds these days we make it clear that a full day is recommended. It is of course quite possible we may come across a bird incidentally and we always keep our ear to the ground for any recent sightings of birds on our patch from locals and birders.
Your Day Doesn't End When You're Dropped off at the Hotel.........
Remember that staying at the Grant Arms Hotel on one of our Wildlife Breaks gives you full access to the unrivalled facilities of the BWWC (Birdwatching & Wildlife Club). This includes an extensive Natural History library and Club room full of local wildlife information and a sightings board. A wildlife film is shown most evenings as well as regular talks when scheduled during one of our breaks. There’s also the chance to meet other birders or groups staying at the hotel to catch up with their sightings and compare notes all adding to the atmosphere your stay.
Also, as the hotel is situated in the town rather than a small village, numerous shops and facilities are all within easy walking distance.....
Remember that staying at the Grant Arms Hotel on one of our Wildlife Breaks gives you full access to the unrivalled facilities of the BWWC (Birdwatching & Wildlife Club). This includes an extensive Natural History library and Club room full of local wildlife information and a sightings board. A wildlife film is shown most evenings as well as regular talks when scheduled during one of our breaks. There’s also the chance to meet other birders or groups staying at the hotel to catch up with their sightings and compare notes all adding to the atmosphere your stay.
Also, as the hotel is situated in the town rather than a small village, numerous shops and facilities are all within easy walking distance.....
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An Evening on the Moors Birding day out finished by 5 with another 5 hours of daylight left? Looking for some extra Wildlife watching in the long Highland summer evenings? From the end of April we will be running our popular Evening on the Moors excursions, exploring some of the spectacular moorland surrounding Strathspey. Last year we regularly saw Black Grouse, Long-eared and Short eared Owls as well as listening to the wonderful calls of breeding waders as the evening sun set. Pick ups from Grantown or Nethybridge. Check our calendar for dates. Black Grouse at Dawn Sample a guided tour with Highland Nature by joining us throughout spring on one of our regular dawn Black Grouse watches at a local lek, where recent visits have been getting up to 20 males! Check our calendar for dates or we can also do bespoke mornings to suit (min of 2 persons). A visit is also included on any of our day tours throughout winter as it doesn't require such an early start!! Pick ups for these and ANY of our guided day tours can be made from our base here in Nethybridge or from the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. Don't forget our selection of winter breaks too, staying at the superb Grant Arms Hotel, home of the BWWC. Click the Breaks menu above for further details. With darker evenings, the BWWC provides a nightly wildlife film as well as regular talks, a great way to relax after a day's birding! |
All the Latest......
For all the latest Birding and Wildlife news in the region you can check out the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/highlandmoraybirds/. Our Twitter account is updated nearly EVERY day also with all the latest local news and sightings . https://twitter.com/highlandnature
For all the latest Birding and Wildlife news in the region you can check out the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/highlandmoraybirds/. Our Twitter account is updated nearly EVERY day also with all the latest local news and sightings . https://twitter.com/highlandnature
White-billed Divers in the Moray Firth: 27/2/14
This spring again sees the remarkable gathering of a number of White-billed Divers in the Moray Firth. I will be including it in day trips to the Moray Firth as long as they remain for a unique opportunity to catch up with this rare diver. See the Calendar for details.
This spring again sees the remarkable gathering of a number of White-billed Divers in the Moray Firth. I will be including it in day trips to the Moray Firth as long as they remain for a unique opportunity to catch up with this rare diver. See the Calendar for details.
NEWS
We have updated the website with more Short Breaks throughout the year. As usual these will be staying in the superb Grant Arms Hotel where you have full use of all the facilities of the BWWC (Birdwatching and Wildlife Club) including evening talks/slide shows and films which are shown most evenings. During July and August we are running a more Natural History based short break, perfect if you want to try and catch up with some of the amazing plants and insects of the Highlands as well as the birds. On our day trips we will be doing a bit of sea-watching too out in the Minch between the mainland and the Hebrides.
We love to keep you up to date with what's happening here in the Highlands on our trips, the local wildlife and bird sightings. We run a very active Twitter Feed as well as an active Facebook page which you can follow. In these days of Hi-tech and Smartphones we even update from the field (if we have time !!), often with live photos of where we are......feel as if you're with us from the comfort of your home! If you don't do social media then of course we have a blog too which we try and update regularly.
John Poyner March 2014.
We have updated the website with more Short Breaks throughout the year. As usual these will be staying in the superb Grant Arms Hotel where you have full use of all the facilities of the BWWC (Birdwatching and Wildlife Club) including evening talks/slide shows and films which are shown most evenings. During July and August we are running a more Natural History based short break, perfect if you want to try and catch up with some of the amazing plants and insects of the Highlands as well as the birds. On our day trips we will be doing a bit of sea-watching too out in the Minch between the mainland and the Hebrides.
We love to keep you up to date with what's happening here in the Highlands on our trips, the local wildlife and bird sightings. We run a very active Twitter Feed as well as an active Facebook page which you can follow. In these days of Hi-tech and Smartphones we even update from the field (if we have time !!), often with live photos of where we are......feel as if you're with us from the comfort of your home! If you don't do social media then of course we have a blog too which we try and update regularly.
John Poyner March 2014.
Coffee & Cakes !!
We know how great it is to sample the delights of local cafes when you're visiting an area, and the Highlands has plenty of these we know only too well. If you don't fancy having a packed lunch out in the field (especially in winter), we are more than happy to make a stop to warm up in one of our recommended eateries instead. We will not be responsible however for any weight gain due to excessive consumption of such things as Flapjack, Chocolate Covered Shortbread, Rocky Road and Clutie Dumplings and do issue a disclaimer regarding such excesses!
We know how great it is to sample the delights of local cafes when you're visiting an area, and the Highlands has plenty of these we know only too well. If you don't fancy having a packed lunch out in the field (especially in winter), we are more than happy to make a stop to warm up in one of our recommended eateries instead. We will not be responsible however for any weight gain due to excessive consumption of such things as Flapjack, Chocolate Covered Shortbread, Rocky Road and Clutie Dumplings and do issue a disclaimer regarding such excesses!
Golden Eagle, Strathdearn
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