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Crested Tit (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Deseo
- Start date
You'll need to go to Speyside. Loch an Eilein south of Aviemore might be the best bet. They're not found outside of the Spey/Nairn valleys.
Hi - The most reliable spot I've found for them is Boat of Garten. These's some feeders behind the Community Hall, and that's been very successful (my wife and I stop pretty much every time we're driving up the A9 to get our fix of cresties!). It's not exactly near Oban - about 4 hours round trip if you split off at Crianlarich - but the furthest south is Kingussie area, so it's pretty much going to be a trek.
Also at this time of year they are generally harder to see, as females are incubating, and much longer days for them to feed, so the more reliable the site the better (Loch Garten car park is another good spot).
Wish you a great trip - Mull is superb, I'm envious!
Also at this time of year they are generally harder to see, as females are incubating, and much longer days for them to feed, so the more reliable the site the better (Loch Garten car park is another good spot).
Wish you a great trip - Mull is superb, I'm envious!
gordon hamlett
Well-known member
Not quite true. They are found as far north as Lairg and as far west as Beinn Eighe.
Gordon Hamlett - Author of the Best Birdwatching Sites in the Scottish Highlands
Simon Wates
Well-known member
.....and a listen
the chances of finding these beauties are greatly increased by listening for their rather distinctive calls, once you are in a good area of course. It would double your chances at least IMO. They are rather unobtrusive and easily walked past... but no less tame than Blue Tits in the wilds.
I didn't know that. Makes it all the more frustrating that they don't seem to make it over to Deeside on a more permanent basis.
gordon hamlett
Well-known member
Agree totally - there are usually only one or two records a year from Deeside.
Even if they don't want to cross the Cairngorms, you would think that they might move east along the coast and then down. They have got as far as Lossie and Loch Spynie so far but don't seem to be heading south
Kathi Hutton
Active member
Side note: Please, Gordon, how do you pronounce "Beinn Eighe?"
Thank you,
Kathi
Thank you,
Kathi
gordon hamlett
Well-known member
Hi Kathi,
Aah, those Gaelic (pronounced gallic in Scotland) names.
Beinn Eighe rhymes with Ben Hay. Fortunately, you picked one of the easier ones - I'm struggling after that.
Beinn, often anglicised on maps to 'Ben' means mountain eg Ben Nevis. Eighe means 'file' so you have a mountain shaped like a file.Hope that helps,
Gordon
jpoyner
Well-known member
Hi Kathi,
Aah, those Gaelic (pronounced gallic in Scotland) names.
Beinn Eighe rhymes with Ben Hay. Fortunately, you picked one of the easier ones - I'm struggling after that.
Hope that helps,
Gordon
How about Slochd and Avoch?
gordon hamlett
Well-known member
How about Slochd and Avoch?
As my granny used to say when faced with anything that she couldn't pronounce, 'two coughs and a spit'
Kathi Hutton
Active member
Thanks, Gordon. I have a Gaelic learners handbook, but it isn't as helpful as I had hoped. When my sister and I are stymied by the Gaelic, we usually start with a consonant, add a vowel or two, and end in a gagging sound in the back of the throat.
Garrulous Jay
Well-known member
I was amazed when I learnt that Slanch ni va (Cheers) is written Slainte mhath!!!!!!
