Having booked a few days off
work, me and Alex headed up to Scotland during the Easter break to try and
catch up with some of the Scottish specialities that can be found in the
Highlands. With Crested Tit, Capercaillie and Ptarmigan all lifers for myself, I
was keen to get up there and experience the wonders of the Scottish forests
myself.
Stopping off at an excellent
B&B in Cumbernauld on Tuesday night, this stopover broke up the mammoth
journey considerably, and it was just over a 2 hour drive to the first site of
the incredible Findhorn Valley. One of his favourite places, Alex was keen to
target Golden Eagle here, and we travelled through the rugged terrain with our
eyes peeled for any signs of large eagles taking advantage of the brilliant
spring sunshine.
A pair of Wheatear darting
around the pebbles by the side of the huge river were the first of the year,
although it was too early for our visit to coincide with the return of the
areas Ring Ouzels. We spent an hours wait enjoying up to 3 Mountain Hares
scampering along the opposite mountain slopes, their brilliant white winter
coats giving away their location, whilst a pair of Peregrines treated us to
their acrobatic movements high above. Several Buzzards mewed playfully in the
breeze, and before long an eagle was spotted by the small crowd of birders
gathered, soaring in the opposite valley. Despite the distance, it was unmistakeable
as a majestic Golden Eagle, several white patches on the wing visible even from
far away.
Findhorn Valley |
We admired the bird through
the scope, powering through the air until it disappeared out of view behind a
ridge. Content with our sightings, we headed back in the direction of Aviemore
to the next site of Boat of Garten, hoping to connect with one of the Crested
Tits that had been frequenting the feeders in the weeks prior, stopping only to
admire a Red Squirrel on route.
Parking in the small car park
and taking the short walk to the feeders, I was disappointed at the sheer lack of
bird life amongst the trees, just a few Goldcrests, a pair of Great and Coal
Tits and a single Chaffinch bobbing in the branches overhead. A considerable
wait later and nothing had ventured to the feeders, the prospect of
encountering any Crested Tits becoming increasingly bleak. The large pool
opposite distracted us with several waders and ducks, although no Slavonian
Grebes were present, a species that previously bred on the flash until
recently.
A (very!) record shot of the winter plumaged Mountain Hare across the valley |
With no luck at Boat of
Garten, we headed over to the RSPB Osprey viewpoint at Loch Garten to see if
any were showing there. Unfortunately, they hadn’t been seen for a few days, so
instead we went to check on the newly returned Osprey on the popular nest from
the viewing station, before taking a walk down the road to listen out for the
trilling call of Crested Tits – sadly to no avail.
Calling it a day with these
seemingly elusive birds, we stopped off for a tasty bite to eat of battered
chicken at Papa Rocks in Aviemore before heading over to the Rothiemurchus Estate for the Speyside Mammal Hide experience in
an attempt to catch up with the beautiful Pine Martens that are a regular
feature at the hide and are guaranteed to pull in the crowds.
Joining our guide at the
meeting location along with the other 10 people booked in for the visit, we quietly
walked up the gravel track to the hide as dusk approached, a fantastic male
Woodcock roding overhead right on cue - apparently a regular sight during the
nightly walks.
Inside the cosy and heated
hide, our guide gave us a brief talk about the Pine Martens that frequented the
site, and after explaining that both a male and female visit the feeding
station, with at least one Pine Marten being seen every single night since the
winter, we became increasingly optimistic and hopeful that our luck would be
in.
Sure enough, after half an
hour or so waiting in the hide, the call went up that a Pine Marten had been
spotted! The female quickly scampered past us below the window and proceeded to
head round to the other side of the small mammal seed area, giving great views
before turning round and heading to the main feeding platform at the front.
Effortlessly clambering up the post, we could all admire her chocolate and cream coloured coat as she tucked in to
the peanuts laid out for her, completely oblivious and unconcerned at her many
admirers watching from the darkness of the hide.
After giving a good show for
all those assembled for a lengthy amount of time, she artfully climbed the
branch running up to the adjacent tree and on to the trunk where an egg had
been lodged as a treat. Clasping it in her jaws, she hurriedly bounded down and
off in to the darkness, her prize firmly secured. Before long, she was back for
the second egg, again giving excellent and prolonged views for everyone watching
– really an amazing experience and I couldn’t have asked for more for my first
ever Pine Marten sightings!
About to take the egg! |
With a supporting cast of a badger (only my second ever) and small mammals including a vole and some Wood Mice, this was an unforgettable experience and one I’d highly recommend as a must for anyone going to the Highlands! Definitely one of the highlights of my trip!
To book, visit the Speyside Wildlife website.
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