Trip to Scotland this April or May (1 Viewer)

Hello all,

I'm planning a trip to Scotland this April or May, to hopefully see some of the specialist highland species such as crossbills, crested tits, ptarmigan, black grouse and capercaillie. I'm thinking of staying somewhere in the Aviemore area, for a week somewhere between mid April to early May. Is this the best time to see the Capercaillie and Black Grouse, and does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay?

Thanks.

http://www.carrott-photographic.com/

Above link to a guest house in Nethybridge which I can highly recommend. We are going back there in September. This is very close to the RSPB Osprey centre where you can join the early morning watch for capercaillie.

Sandra

Do you want self catering or B & B.

For self catering can recommend - Cairngorm Bungalows..We have stayed in them a few times. They have about 7 properties of varying capacity and are well kept and cosy. They are at edge of Aviemore [although Aviemore seems to expand every time we have gone] About 2 mins drive from the centre of Aviemore and about 20 mins from RSPB Loch Garten.

http://www.cairngorm-bungalows.co.uk/

The caper watch starts at RSPB Loch Garten on 1st April until 21st May from 5.30 in the morning. Been to these a few times but beware they can end up a bit of a scrum for who gets the window...manners seem to be forgotten sometimes.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochgarten/index.asp
We have seen Crossbills at the entrance to here and in the Abernathy Forest RSPB just before this. Cresties at Loch Morlich,Loch an Eilean.

Ptarmigan i think you would have to go up walking in the Cairngroms [at one time you could get out and have a walk around on the Funicular railway, but I understand they do not allow this anymore.

Another good area is Lochndorb we have seen Red Grouse, Divers and others here. Don't forget the Slavonian Grebes at Loch Ruthven
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochruthven/index.asp

I'm going up to Speyside 3 May for a week and have booked a property through Cairngorm Bungalows, seems very good. Now looking forward to a week's birding from dawn to dusk. Recommend Gordon Hamletts book for site reference.

Thanks all.

Thoroughly recommend the RSPB Caper watch. I've traipsed around the caledonian forests for more hours than I care to think without a sniff over the years. Last April I did the caper watch and the very next day kicked up 5 on a random walk with the family.

Oh yes, I did see them on the watch too, plus some display and calling.

You can exit the top station on Cairngorm while the skiing is still going. You aren't allowed to walk away from the ski area but we had 2 Ptarmigan close to the ski runs looking left as you exit the back of the centre. Walking to the top of the lifts gets you a great view of the plateau and we also had Snow Bunting fly over here.

Crested Tits were at Loch an Eilein and the campsite at Coylumbridge. Crossbills were nowhere!

Depending on how much time and energy you've got, another place for Ptarmigan in Glenshee ski centre where they can be viewed (ok, distantly!) from your car

Hi
Don't know if I should really be giving out advice on my first day of joining, but I lived in Aviemore for 18 months and would recommend Orkney instead, if you're the hardy type. I found that whole area much plainer than a lot of the rest of Scotland and looking at the RSPB site, practically the whole of Orkney seems to be a bird sanctuary! Add to that the wonderful stone-circles, great local produce, stunning scenery and more or less zero light-pollution for star-gazing at night and you've got a brilliant location. Don't know if its got the species you're looking for, but if you're lucky with the weather you should have a great time.