TheSeagull
Well-known member
I'd like to see Ptarmigan so which is the best mountain/hill to walk/climb to see it and the best, smallest and safest for a kid thats only got to the top of Bennachie?
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Ptarmigan - Best Mountain? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter TheSeagull
- Start date
thenorthernmonkey
CBWPS Stithians
Having never been birding in Scotland (yet) i couldnt tell you but i would hazard a guess at a cable car ride up Cairngorm then walk to the platuea.
TheSeagull
Well-known member
Thanks, would a trip up in the Cairngorm Mountain Railway/Funicular be enough?
Hi Calvin
If you use the railway to go up Cairngorm, you're not allowed out onto the plateau. You may be lucky enough to see a Ptarmigan through the windows there.
You could try looking from Cairnwell or Lecht carparks.
D
If you use the railway to go up Cairngorm, you're not allowed out onto the plateau. You may be lucky enough to see a Ptarmigan through the windows there.
You could try looking from Cairnwell or Lecht carparks.
D
StuartReeves
Local rarity
The Cairnwell is quite a short walk from the Glenshee car park, probably not much different to the walk up Bennachie. Better make sure the weather's good though.
SteveClifton
Well-known member
I've seen them at Glenshee twice from the roadside, both times in March when they come lower down the slopes.
Cairngorm is no longer easy as you can't just use the ski lift then wander around the plateau as you could in the past. Much more walking is involved to give yourself a chance of seeing them in the Cairngorms, in my experience, and I've seen nothing there on several occasions, despite putting in the effort.
This site is reported to be very good, and at relatively low altitude, though quite a distance from Aberdeen (Belach-na-Bah, on the way to Applecross ) see here:
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/17049-ptarmigan-west-coast-scotland.html
Steve
Cairngorm is no longer easy as you can't just use the ski lift then wander around the plateau as you could in the past. Much more walking is involved to give yourself a chance of seeing them in the Cairngorms, in my experience, and I've seen nothing there on several occasions, despite putting in the effort.
This site is reported to be very good, and at relatively low altitude, though quite a distance from Aberdeen (Belach-na-Bah, on the way to Applecross ) see here:
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/british-birds/17049-ptarmigan-west-coast-scotland.html
Steve
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Capercaillie71
Well-known member
I think Cairnwell/Glenshee is your best bet:
http://www.multimap.com/s/j2N7Wr6G
A walk up to the top of Cairnwell and then along the ridge to Carn Aosda is not too strenuous and reasonably safe in good weather.
http://www.multimap.com/s/j2N7Wr6G
A walk up to the top of Cairnwell and then along the ridge to Carn Aosda is not too strenuous and reasonably safe in good weather.
Capercaillie71
Well-known member
The bouldery western slopes of Carn an Tuirc are very good too.
http://www.multimap.com/s/jyJzSr0C
I don't think I've failed to see Ptarmigan there in 3 or 4 ascents. It's not too much further from the road but the top is at the edge of a large plateau that can be very treacherous in bad weather. So good weather would be essential for this one too.
http://www.multimap.com/s/jyJzSr0C
I don't think I've failed to see Ptarmigan there in 3 or 4 ascents. It's not too much further from the road but the top is at the edge of a large plateau that can be very treacherous in bad weather. So good weather would be essential for this one too.
bitterntwisted
Graham Howard Shortt
I've seen Ptarmigan from the cable car stop on Cairngorm on May 30th 2007, and I'm sure I've read that others have, but also that some haven't. We walked up to the plateau from the bottom, and got good views at the summit, but had to shelter from a Blizzard in the cable car station on the way down.
Graham
Graham
Sandra (Taylor)
Well-known member
Pass of the Cattle would be the easiest walk-in to see ptarmigan, Calvin. We've been lucky there two times out of three. See 'John's' comments on the link above.
Sandra
