With the weather turning distinctly more autumnal in the Highlands, though still relatively mild the first major influx of Redwings and Fieldfares occured this week in the Strath. On a walk out with BWWC and Gordon Hamlett yesterday morning the air was filled with the chattering of Fielfares and seeping of Redwings as we enjoyed Crested Tits and Red Squirrels on the feeders.

Later in the afternoon, the BWWC fieldtrip to Insh Marshes was treated to one of the great spectacles of bird migration with a constant stream of thrushes moving through, often just feet above our heads as we stood at the "Lookout". What a fantastic sight as they headed south, funneled at this narrow point of the Strath after feeding on the rich crop of berries further north. We picked out several small er birds in with them and the light was good enough to make out the distinct white rumps of Bramblings, as well as a few Chaffinches.

By 4 O'Clock the passage had largely stopped with only a few straglers passing when our attention was then drawn to a rather smart rusty looking juv Hen Harrier hunting the marshes below us. It was in view for the best of half an hour as it scattered Snipe and Teal with many unsuccessful grabs at them before climbing high and flying off still hungry!

Looking further ahead to next year we are busy adding more short breaks to our itinerary, keep an eye on the website for details. If you have a group wishing to visit we can offer a bespoke all in package for you or just guide hire only for the day. We use the Grant Arms "wildlife" Hotel for our accommodation where you have full use of all the facilities of the Birdwatching & Wildlife Club (BWWC) including a superb natural history library and club room.
With their being little risk of disturbance in the winter months, chances of finding a Capercaillie are much better than in spring. We know the best places to go!

What a spectacular day out guiding last Friday, as we went in search of some of the local Scottish specials.

The day started early at first light, heading for a local Black Grouse lek, where we arrived as the sun rose over the distant Cairngorms, Red Grouse called from the heather behind us and arriving Redwings "seeped" overhead. It wasn't long before our quarry appeared with 8 males flying in from their roost in the nearby long grass, we had been worried at first none were going to show! It wasn't long before they were strutting, tails spread and we could just about hear their wonderful bubbling in the clear morning air. Lekking is traditionally associated with spring but actually occurs in autumn and winter as well on fine mornings, though perhaps not quite as intensive as the spring performance it's still worth seeing.

We moved on, could we get a Capercaillie too before breakfast?..... the challenge was on. Heading in to the Pinewoods, we drove carefully along a minor road as the first rays of sunlight reached in through the foliage.......there he was, a male Capercaillie, strutting through the billberry, tail fanned and even "clip-clopping"......hence the name from derived from Gaelic "Horse of the Woods".
What a sight, just yards away, plenty of chances for photos using the vehicle as a hide, his freshly moulted plumage stunning in the crisp morning light. Three Grouse before breakfast not a bad start at all.

After breakfast we headed for a local glen, greeted by Stags roaring from the hillsides with their hinds in tow as the river Findhorn glistened an indigo blue on a stunning autumn morning perfect for watching for Eagles. Setting up camp we watched and waited as a Peregrine dashed overhead and a few Ravens honked above the crags. Soon we were on to a bird, high in the sky, certainly an Eagle and very large. It's white tail caught the sunlight, and that's exactly what it was, a White-tailed Eagle, soaring high with a second bird. They drifted closer, super views of these powerful Eagles as they drifted effortless through the blue sky and along the ridge behind us. It wasn't long before we spotted a couple of Golden Eagles too, hunting Grouse or Mountain Hare on the heather clad slopes beyond us. As we headed back down the glen Dipper and Red Kite were also added to the day list.

Heading back to the forest we cut across some of the Strath's farmland to check out any goose flocks, finding a few Greylags and Pink-feet with a surprise amongst them, a single Barnacle Goose. While watching the geese a lone and largish looking Redpoll dropped down in to a tree beside us, giving brief views enough to confirm it was a Common (mealy) rather than a local Lesser Redpoll.

Back in the pine forest we were soon watching several Crested Tits feeding near Loch Garten,  which made a fantastic end to a species packed day!