Apologies for not updating the blog recently, due to family matters I had to spend most of Feb down in England. Back in Scotland now and it seems at last there are signs of spring! This stunning view of the Cairngorms taken yesterday at Loch Morlich.
Breeding waders are back on the farnmland of the Strath, the calls of Curlews, Lapwings and Oystercatcher filling the air once again. On the hills there is still a lot of snow and Ptarmigan with Snow Bunting showing well around the ski area. At the Black Grouse lek birds have been showing well every morning with 7-10 males strutting and bubbling as it gets light. Dipper are also nest building under the bridge in the village and I had a rare sighting of a Kingfisher fly under the bridge near Grantown last week! A rare sight indeed in the Highlands. One bird which is always a challenge at any time of year is the Goshawk but in early March they can often be seen displaying above the forests. On Sunday along with a client we went in search of this elusive bird. Incredibly we managed to spot one within five minutes of arriving at a prime site, as it flapped high obove the tree-line along with several displaying Buzzards, a Peregrine and Red Kite. Merlin, Hen Harrier and both Eagles are also regular at this great raptor watching location.
The website is now updated with more Autumn Short Breaks and several Natural History Breaks in summer, all staying at the Grant Arms Hotel. Click the "Breaks" link in the menu bar for more info.
Breeding waders are back on the farnmland of the Strath, the calls of Curlews, Lapwings and Oystercatcher filling the air once again. On the hills there is still a lot of snow and Ptarmigan with Snow Bunting showing well around the ski area. At the Black Grouse lek birds have been showing well every morning with 7-10 males strutting and bubbling as it gets light. Dipper are also nest building under the bridge in the village and I had a rare sighting of a Kingfisher fly under the bridge near Grantown last week! A rare sight indeed in the Highlands. One bird which is always a challenge at any time of year is the Goshawk but in early March they can often be seen displaying above the forests. On Sunday along with a client we went in search of this elusive bird. Incredibly we managed to spot one within five minutes of arriving at a prime site, as it flapped high obove the tree-line along with several displaying Buzzards, a Peregrine and Red Kite. Merlin, Hen Harrier and both Eagles are also regular at this great raptor watching location.
The website is now updated with more Autumn Short Breaks and several Natural History Breaks in summer, all staying at the Grant Arms Hotel. Click the "Breaks" link in the menu bar for more info.
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