Pine Forest, Lochs and Moors.
Spend a day exploring the wonders of the magnificent Caledonian Pine Forest and tranquil lochs within the spectacular Cairngorms National Park.
The Caledonian Pine Forest, home to the very elusive Capercaillie, Crested Tit, Scottish/Parrot Crossbill as well as many other birds in spring. Walk under the towering "granny pines", whilst listening for the distinctive trill of Crestie, or the chip chip overhead of Crossbills. In Spring,every tree seems alive with the song of Willow Warbler, Redstart sing their short melody from the tangle of branches while Tree Pipit perform their parachuting display. We may even catch site of an elusive Goshawk, displaying high over the tree tops.
We can start the day early looking for Black Grouse before venturing in to one of the local forests, depending on where the latest "hot spots" are for the key species.
Goldeneye, Red-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe breed inhabit the lochs all in superb breeding plumage. We should see the stunning Black-throated Diver also on a wild and windswept moorland loch nearby where also Red Grouse scurry in the surrounding heather moor and a good chance of Short-eared Owl also drifting across the moorland. Perhaps a Merlin will dash by, chasing the many Meadow Pipts which flit amongst the Heather.
The Caledonian Pine Forest, home to the very elusive Capercaillie, Crested Tit, Scottish/Parrot Crossbill as well as many other birds in spring. Walk under the towering "granny pines", whilst listening for the distinctive trill of Crestie, or the chip chip overhead of Crossbills. In Spring,every tree seems alive with the song of Willow Warbler, Redstart sing their short melody from the tangle of branches while Tree Pipit perform their parachuting display. We may even catch site of an elusive Goshawk, displaying high over the tree tops.
We can start the day early looking for Black Grouse before venturing in to one of the local forests, depending on where the latest "hot spots" are for the key species.
Goldeneye, Red-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe breed inhabit the lochs all in superb breeding plumage. We should see the stunning Black-throated Diver also on a wild and windswept moorland loch nearby where also Red Grouse scurry in the surrounding heather moor and a good chance of Short-eared Owl also drifting across the moorland. Perhaps a Merlin will dash by, chasing the many Meadow Pipts which flit amongst the Heather.
The Moray Firth
One of the most beautiful and unspoilt coastlines in Britain, the Moray Firth, with it's sweeping beaches, tidal mud flats, many harbours and bays a birders delight . In early spring, Sea-duck should still be in good numbers. Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Common Scoter all raft in the bays, joined by those divers and Slavonian Grebes still yet to settle on breeding grounds further north. A great place for rarity hunting as migration gets underway it has an impressive list of vagrant finds.....some such as the King Eider a fairly regular occurrence. Iceland and Glaucous Gull are regular and there are numerous sites to spend time looking at waders. I have been birding along this coast for many years, and each carefully selected spot reveals a slightly different range of birds....carefully planned to get the most from your day. There are ample facilities along the coast to take a break if you wish with some excellent local seafood pubs well worth a try.
Cairngorm Mountains
As the winter snows begin to melt, the hills slowly regain their colours and birds return to breed. Of course, the Ptarmigan are there all the time, they begin to pair and explore their breeding grounds as soon as the snows start to clear. In early spring males can be heard croaking from the boulder fields, their plumage still dappled white. As May arrives, the Dotterel are soon back, first on the lower ridges and a bit easier to find, Ring Ouzel also appear and can be heard singing from the rock faces or seen feeding on some of the grassy areas around the ski runs. Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Merlin all start to begin their breeding rituals as spring gets well underway in the Scottish Mountains. A walk for Ptarmigan may last three to four hours, with a longer walk in search of Dotterel on the high plateau. The scenery is breath-taking, the Pine Forest and lochs scattered below as you ascend up over 3000ft! Don't worry though, the car park is already at 2000ft! The day is often combined with stops at a nearby forest and loch sites on the slope of the mountain, here Crested Tit, Parrot/Scottish Crossbills, Red-throated Divers and Goldeneye can all be found. There may even time to stop off at the new "Pine Marten" cafe/bar for a welcome drink after a good days walk.
The Magical Handa Island
North of Ullapool lies the hidden gem of Handa Island, now managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Unless you take a trip up to Shetland, it is the only place where you can experience breeding Arctic and Great Skuas in close up.....they nest right next to the path!
Puffins too have their burrows on the cliffs to the north of the Island, Red-throated Diver fish on the lochs and Black Guillemot bob on the water as you cross. Very often in spring Great-northern Divers in full summer plumage fish close to the shores too. It really is a truely magical place, one of Scotland's finest wildlife experiences and a must to visit in spring. Access to the Island is by small "RIB" and these run throughout the day in the peak season. We will be running some day trips from Strathspey to this amazing place, the drive takes about three hours so it's an early start but we pass through some of the finest scenery Scotland has to offer with the chance to catch up with Black-throated Divers and maybe an Eagle on the way.
North of Ullapool lies the hidden gem of Handa Island, now managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Unless you take a trip up to Shetland, it is the only place where you can experience breeding Arctic and Great Skuas in close up.....they nest right next to the path!
Puffins too have their burrows on the cliffs to the north of the Island, Red-throated Diver fish on the lochs and Black Guillemot bob on the water as you cross. Very often in spring Great-northern Divers in full summer plumage fish close to the shores too. It really is a truely magical place, one of Scotland's finest wildlife experiences and a must to visit in spring. Access to the Island is by small "RIB" and these run throughout the day in the peak season. We will be running some day trips from Strathspey to this amazing place, the drive takes about three hours so it's an early start but we pass through some of the finest scenery Scotland has to offer with the chance to catch up with Black-throated Divers and maybe an Eagle on the way.
