Birders used to refer to Strathdearn as raptor or Eagle alley and it certainly still lives up to it's name. As well as the regular Eagles and many Buzzards we've been getting some great sightings of displaying Goshawks recently over the forests. Peregrine have also been putting on spectacular shows in the glen and Merlin have returned now following the Meadow Pipit flocks as they arrive.
Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk are all regular sights in the area and while looking for these there is usually plenty else to see along the river and hillsides. Ring Ouzel should be in any day now and the river will soon be alive with the piping of Common Sandpipers, Dipper are already sitting on nests, we watched them nest building several weeks ago under one of the bridges.
Mountain Hare have just begun to change in to their summer coats and recently we've been seeing Brown Hare quite far up the glen sharing the same habitat. Begs the question can they ever hybridise, it has been recorded in Sweden apparently where they share the same habitat though I have no idea what they would look like or if they'd change colour in winter! An interesting study for someone there.
Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk are all regular sights in the area and while looking for these there is usually plenty else to see along the river and hillsides. Ring Ouzel should be in any day now and the river will soon be alive with the piping of Common Sandpipers, Dipper are already sitting on nests, we watched them nest building several weeks ago under one of the bridges.
Mountain Hare have just begun to change in to their summer coats and recently we've been seeing Brown Hare quite far up the glen sharing the same habitat. Begs the question can they ever hybridise, it has been recorded in Sweden apparently where they share the same habitat though I have no idea what they would look like or if they'd change colour in winter! An interesting study for someone there.
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