Due to the problems with the site yesterday ive had to re write this from scratch but will hopefully contain similar report to the original. As this holiday/trip was a family one I have obviously not been able to 'all out bird' and as such im not doing as a day by day record, rather a summary or overview with comments etc. Also worth noting that I normally visit in May which I have found to be best time to see all species so any comments or comparisons may refer to this.
Week 1 - Abernethy
Base for the week was the Lazy Duck Cottage in Nethybridge which is a lovely cottage on their camp/hostal grounds. Was perfect for us and particularly my 2yr old as they had captive/ornamental ducks, sheep and chickens all on site which he loved watching. Had an enclosed garden for him to play and 2 feeders and bird table just outside 2 windows which were very busy. Red Squirrel, Siskin families, tits and finches were all regular visitors which he loved watching. Was told we might get Crested Tits but didn't expect to see at this time of year but can imagine they would in colder months. Other birds of note on or over the site were Oyster Catcher, Curlew, Woodcock and Redstart. Also some nice walks locally in to the forest or heath/Bog etc. Overall would recommend this accommodation.
Birds Seen
Key locations birded were generally around, Grantown, Abernethy, Boat of Garten, Nethybridge, and Rothiemurcus. Other locations included Cairngorm and moorland around above areas.
Crested Tit Showing surprisingly well (considering breeding time) at almost all woodland locations visited with good views often had. Loch Garten Feeder at entrance was being visited regularly giving obviously good views.
Redstart As with Crestie these were at most locations and again showing well. Often calling making them easy to find and several family groups with adults feeding young was nice to observe.
Tree Pipit Only odd ones seen and a few heard only but much tougher this year I found.
Spotted Flycatchers perhaps my best year for these with pairs or individuals showing well in most locations noted above.
Capercaillie See 'Highlight' below.
Black Throated Diver Pair seen well at the 'usual' site.
Dipper Really struggled with these as well this year and only saw 2 birds at perhaps 4 regular sites that I normally would expect to see multiple birds. No juvenile or obvious pairs this time. 1 also seen at the burn near Cairngorm car park which quite high??
Osprey At all the expected locations/Nests and the usual fly overs etc.
Peregrine 1 seen in the air above an Osprey nest oddly enough but only one for the week.
Red Grouse Good Family Groups showing well at numerous locations including family party with atleast 7 chicks at summit on cairngorm which highest ive ever seen them, especially given weather was poor that day.
Ptarmigan 2 pairs showing well close to summit of cairngorm but wind and low cloud prevented any more being spotted.
Goldeneye Plenty of females often with young in tow but didn't see any males at all which I though odd?
Numerous other more common species all seen including Wheatear, Rock Pipit, Yellowhammer, Redpoll, Stonechat, RB Mergansers etc. Not forgetting the Red Squirrels which showing well in most places including the feeders at Loch Garten.
Birds NOT Seen
Crossbill Species Didn't see any types and perhaps only heard on 1 occasion but as im rubbish with calls im not certain. First year ive not connected with any at all and didn't speak to any other birders who had seen while I was there.
Dotterel Was my target bird for the Cairngorm day but although they had been seen I don't think we had much chance with the wind and variable cloud cover.
Ring Ouzel In perhaps 10 visits to Scotland ive never not seen these but couldn't locate anywhere on cairngorm where I virtually always see them. Checked a couple of other areas as well with no luck at all. A favourite of mine so quite disappointed on this one.
Black Grouse Given time of year I didn't even go looking for these on this occasion as normally see at the May Leks etc.
Wood Warbler Checked a couple of regular sites but not with any huge determination but none seen or heard.
Also didn't make any attempt for other birds of prey (e.g Findhorn) as knew would see the 'big ticket' stuff on Mull the following week. Did however look for SEO on the moorlands that I found them last year but none at all to be seen this year.
Highlight of Week 1
Capercaillie *** This bird was not viewed at a lekking spot and was viewed/photographed solely from our car. At no time was it followed or chased and nobody left the car at any point. I will for obvious reasons not disclose the site.***
I had told my missus that we had virtually no chance of seeing at this time of year compared to May time but what transpired was perhaps my best view ever and one of 'those moments' I wont forget. We had done family things in the morning to entertain my 2yr old and had decided to drive to a woodland site and have an afternoon walk and let him burn off some energy. On the way we passed an area which I know to be a good area for Capercaillie and as we would do in May or on an early morning bird we drove through slowly on the slim hope we might see something. To my utter disbelief I managed to spot a female Caper about 15ft from the side of the road! After the initial shock of actually seeing/finding we soon realised she had 1 and possibly 2 chicks with her which were scrambling around near her in & out of the cover feeding. The adult and chicks seemed totally content to carry on their business while slowly moving away from us. At this point a Range Rover sped past us totally oblivious to what we were watching and seconds later another chick appeared from the opposite side of the road and proceeded to walk in front of the car and join the adult and other chicks! It was at this point it occurred to me that there may be other chicks on the opposite side of the road that we could be sitting between and therefore separating from the group so we (reluctantly if im honest) moved away very carefully and left them to it. The disbelief and smiles from what we had just seen lasted for some time and was easily the weeks highlight and right up there with my lifetime biding highlights. In a word... Special.
Week 2 Mull to follow.....
Week 1 - Abernethy
Base for the week was the Lazy Duck Cottage in Nethybridge which is a lovely cottage on their camp/hostal grounds. Was perfect for us and particularly my 2yr old as they had captive/ornamental ducks, sheep and chickens all on site which he loved watching. Had an enclosed garden for him to play and 2 feeders and bird table just outside 2 windows which were very busy. Red Squirrel, Siskin families, tits and finches were all regular visitors which he loved watching. Was told we might get Crested Tits but didn't expect to see at this time of year but can imagine they would in colder months. Other birds of note on or over the site were Oyster Catcher, Curlew, Woodcock and Redstart. Also some nice walks locally in to the forest or heath/Bog etc. Overall would recommend this accommodation.
Birds Seen
Key locations birded were generally around, Grantown, Abernethy, Boat of Garten, Nethybridge, and Rothiemurcus. Other locations included Cairngorm and moorland around above areas.
Crested Tit Showing surprisingly well (considering breeding time) at almost all woodland locations visited with good views often had. Loch Garten Feeder at entrance was being visited regularly giving obviously good views.
Redstart As with Crestie these were at most locations and again showing well. Often calling making them easy to find and several family groups with adults feeding young was nice to observe.
Tree Pipit Only odd ones seen and a few heard only but much tougher this year I found.
Spotted Flycatchers perhaps my best year for these with pairs or individuals showing well in most locations noted above.
Capercaillie See 'Highlight' below.
Black Throated Diver Pair seen well at the 'usual' site.
Dipper Really struggled with these as well this year and only saw 2 birds at perhaps 4 regular sites that I normally would expect to see multiple birds. No juvenile or obvious pairs this time. 1 also seen at the burn near Cairngorm car park which quite high??
Osprey At all the expected locations/Nests and the usual fly overs etc.
Peregrine 1 seen in the air above an Osprey nest oddly enough but only one for the week.
Red Grouse Good Family Groups showing well at numerous locations including family party with atleast 7 chicks at summit on cairngorm which highest ive ever seen them, especially given weather was poor that day.
Ptarmigan 2 pairs showing well close to summit of cairngorm but wind and low cloud prevented any more being spotted.
Goldeneye Plenty of females often with young in tow but didn't see any males at all which I though odd?
Numerous other more common species all seen including Wheatear, Rock Pipit, Yellowhammer, Redpoll, Stonechat, RB Mergansers etc. Not forgetting the Red Squirrels which showing well in most places including the feeders at Loch Garten.
Birds NOT Seen
Crossbill Species Didn't see any types and perhaps only heard on 1 occasion but as im rubbish with calls im not certain. First year ive not connected with any at all and didn't speak to any other birders who had seen while I was there.
Dotterel Was my target bird for the Cairngorm day but although they had been seen I don't think we had much chance with the wind and variable cloud cover.
Ring Ouzel In perhaps 10 visits to Scotland ive never not seen these but couldn't locate anywhere on cairngorm where I virtually always see them. Checked a couple of other areas as well with no luck at all. A favourite of mine so quite disappointed on this one.
Black Grouse Given time of year I didn't even go looking for these on this occasion as normally see at the May Leks etc.
Wood Warbler Checked a couple of regular sites but not with any huge determination but none seen or heard.
Also didn't make any attempt for other birds of prey (e.g Findhorn) as knew would see the 'big ticket' stuff on Mull the following week. Did however look for SEO on the moorlands that I found them last year but none at all to be seen this year.
Highlight of Week 1
Capercaillie *** This bird was not viewed at a lekking spot and was viewed/photographed solely from our car. At no time was it followed or chased and nobody left the car at any point. I will for obvious reasons not disclose the site.***
I had told my missus that we had virtually no chance of seeing at this time of year compared to May time but what transpired was perhaps my best view ever and one of 'those moments' I wont forget. We had done family things in the morning to entertain my 2yr old and had decided to drive to a woodland site and have an afternoon walk and let him burn off some energy. On the way we passed an area which I know to be a good area for Capercaillie and as we would do in May or on an early morning bird we drove through slowly on the slim hope we might see something. To my utter disbelief I managed to spot a female Caper about 15ft from the side of the road! After the initial shock of actually seeing/finding we soon realised she had 1 and possibly 2 chicks with her which were scrambling around near her in & out of the cover feeding. The adult and chicks seemed totally content to carry on their business while slowly moving away from us. At this point a Range Rover sped past us totally oblivious to what we were watching and seconds later another chick appeared from the opposite side of the road and proceeded to walk in front of the car and join the adult and other chicks! It was at this point it occurred to me that there may be other chicks on the opposite side of the road that we could be sitting between and therefore separating from the group so we (reluctantly if im honest) moved away very carefully and left them to it. The disbelief and smiles from what we had just seen lasted for some time and was easily the weeks highlight and right up there with my lifetime biding highlights. In a word... Special.
Week 2 Mull to follow.....