Speyside in February

[johnraven]

Hopefully spending a weekend in Aviemore shortly (February).
Could anyone offer advice on where I might see specialty birds up there at this time of year, including
- Ptarmigan
- Crested Tit
- Scottish Crossbill

May thanks

John

[dbradnum]

For Ptarmigan, drive up to the ski centre beyond Loch Morlich and Glenmore Lodge, and park. You might get Ptarmigan from here, depending on how far down the mountain they've come. Otherwise you can walk up the path under the railway, and should hopefully get them further up.

Alternatively, take the footpath SSW round to Coire an Lochain. It's a good walk in the snow, and Ptarmigan are usually present around the edges of the coire, sometimes giving ridiculously close views.

However, at this time of year, you should only proceed from the carpark if you've got an appropriate OS map, sound knowledge of how to use it, and suitable winter walking gear; be aware of how quickly the weather can close in. Sorry if this sounds patronising, but I hate the way that the mountain rescue continuously get called out to get people who've only got themselves to blame for their predicament.

As for the other two species (and Caper): Abernethy Forest!

[johnraven]

Thanks David
I thought I read that Abernethy was no longer good for scottish (type) crossbills, but now Deeside was better? Does this refer to the Braemar-Ballater end, does anyone know? Loch Davan?

[dan pointon]

Thanks David
I thought I read that Abernethy was no longer good for scottish (type) crossbills, but now Deeside was better? Does this refer to the Braemar-Ballater end, does anyone know? Loch Davan?

Hi John,

Try PM'ing Griffin (Lindsay Cargill), he knows more about where to see the Crossbills in Deeside and that area than anyone else, and can readily ID them by sonograph and, show you them, although I think it costs.

As for Scottbill try Grantown Woods at the back of the golfcourse, you could also get Caper in this area. For Crested Tit, I found the area near to Loch Garten very good last year, with lots about.

Ptarmigan - if you fancy a bit of a longer walk, try Carn Ban Mhor (near Feshiemore??) Although it's a fair walk its beautiful scenery, don't know what the weathers like, possibly better going where David said.

Cheers

D

[Capercaillie71]

Thanks David
I thought I read that Abernethy was no longer good for scottish (type) crossbills, but now Deeside was better? Does this refer to the Braemar-Ballater end, does anyone know? Loch Davan?

Unfortunately the only really reliable way of distinguishing Scottish from any other sort of crossbill is through their calls, ideally recording the calls and getting a sonogram.

I have been recording a few crossbills in mid-Deeside (Aboyne-Banchory) area recently and they have all been Common types. There are Scottish on Deeside but there are also Parrots in some of the woods. I think Parrots have tended to be the most common species at Abernethy recently too.

February is a good month to see capercaillie too. They are still feeding in the trees and will flush if you get within 100m or so, but you may have to put in a bit of time and get away from the most frequently used tracks. Views are likely to be brief too - a crashing sound of wings and branches and a glimpse of the bird flying off through the trees.

[jpoyner]

Hi John,



Ptarmigan - if you fancy a bit of a longer walk, try Carn Ban Mhor (near Feshiemore??) Although it's a fair walk its beautiful scenery, don't know what the weathers like, possibly better going where David said.

Cheers

D

NO DON'T! The Carn Ban Mhor area is over 3000 feet altitude! This is totally foolish advice for February unless you are quite used to wandering about in arctic terrain in the middle of winter! In fact unless you are a VERY experienced winter hill walker I wouldn't advise wandering ANYWHERE in the Northern Cairngorms in winter looking for Ptarmigan. Six people have died in the area this winter alone, two found on the path mentioned below less than a mile from the car park when they got caught out, and also a fatality near Coire an Lochan, also mentioned. The forecast as far as I can see till the end of the month is still full on winter conditions on the hills.

John

[johnraven]

I found a much more pleasant way of seeing Ptarmigan - Glenshee ski area. A short walk up to the ski lift machine and I was able to view Cairnwell and the 5 beautiful white plumaged Ptarmigan on it. No need to helpless throw myself to my doom in some icy waste. Not all us southerners are complete morons. Thanks for all the concern though.

[jpoyner]

No need to helpless throw myself to my doom in some icy waste. Not all us southerners are complete morons. Thanks for all the concern though.

Being a "complete moron" or "southerner" is by no way a prerequisite to getting in to trouble on the hills! The point was that two posts on here were recommending potentially very dangerous routes to attempt by anyone in February and on a public forum quite sensible to point this out! Glad you got the Ptarmigan anyway!

John

[Ben Nevis]

Being a "complete moron" or "southerner" is by no way a prerequisite to getting in to trouble on the hills! The point was that two posts on here were recommending potentially very dangerous routes to attempt by anyone in February and on a public forum quite sensible to point this out! Glad you got the Ptarmigan anyway!

John

Well put John.Many people from near and far,underestimate the conditions that the Cairngorm Mountains can throw at you,even in Springtime.Safety should ALWAYS be paramount.