Kinlochleven/Glencoe Area Visit (1 Viewer)

Hello

I am going on holiday to Kinlochleven/Glencoe Area March half term 2015 and wondered what species I can expect to see, I would love to see an Eagle as I have never seen one in the wild. Is March too early for Ospreys?

Thanks

Chris

Hi again Chris, I'm glad you managed to find your way here.

It rather depends on how early in March you will be here. Ospreys usually start returning around the middle/end of the month.

Hopefully someone with more experience on the west coast will be along soon. To keep you going, though we have an excellent article here in Opus about the Isle of Mull and if you scroll down you will find a link to an excellent web site on Mull Birds, also here is a link to another very good site for Skye Birds.

These should give you a fair idea of what might be around.

Dopper said:

Hello

I am going on holiday to Kinlochleven/Glencoe Area March half term 2015 and wondered what species I can expect to see, I would love to see an Eagle as I have never seen one in the wild. Is March too early for Ospreys?

Thanks

Chris

Click to expand...

Hi Chris,

You are only a short distance from the Corran Ferry, which takes you over towards Ardnamurchan and Morvern. There are good numbers of Golden and White-tailed Eagles hereabouts. On Ardnamurchan, try the car park at Camas nan Geall a couple of miles beyond the Nadurra centre at NM 562 616 which can produce sightings of both species.
From Lochaline in Morvern, you can catch another ferry to Mull which is brilliant for both species. If you are unsure of exploring yourself, there are several tour companies listed on Mullbirds who will take you round for the day, showing you eagles, otters etc. They can also meet you from the ferry if you don't want to take your car over.

If you want to explore on your own, there is a brilliant book called Best Birdwatching Sites in the Scottish Highlands, which details all these sites and others. But then I am a tad biased as I wrote it

PM me if you want more details

Cheers

Gordon

A quick search on the internet seems to indicate that eagles are visible within walking distance of Kinlochleven and presumably ptarmigan can also be found.

For something more exotic, the black duck still seems to be around in Strontian from time to time. If you want a nice round trip after crossing the Corran ferry take the road to Kingairloch and return via Strontian, visiting the bird hide to the west of Strontian whilst you are there. Sea eagles can be seen in this area, although they are not guaranteed.

The other species I might be thinking about would be divers, merganser, goosander, black and red grouse, and snow bunting.

I've seen a golden eagle while walking just above Bridge of Orchy which isn't far from Glencoe, but I think it's just your luck if you see one.