curlewsandpiper1980
Well-known member
Location: NE Scotland, Highlands
Today I found a location in the Highlands (quite NW of Aviemore) which is very rich in grouses and partridges. Being a beginner, I need some help.
I am somehow familiar with the pheasant (as I have it near my home and I hear its song in most days) but I am not familiar with all other grouses and partridges.
Today while doing a long hike, I stumbled upon at least 2 or 3 different species.
1) A Red legged partridge? First I saw a flock of 8 walking red-legged partridges, or at least I thought they were so, until I realise they could have been Chukar partridges. As I relied solely in my quick close-look, I missed the neck detail that would distinguish them. This was seen in dense birch/ Scot pine forest.
An hour later, overseeing a river valley with aspen, birch and scot pine, I had 3 more sightings.
2) A Red grouse or even another Red legged partridge? The first one was a grouse-like bird flew quickly up to the edge of the forest, only revealing an unremarkable body but with a bright orange open tail. Of course I understand light conditions can affect the colors. It could have been a red grouse, but also a female black grouse, a female Caper (unlikely) or even a red legged partridge.
3) Unknown bird call 20min later, now more upland where the moor started, I glimpse something flying fast and then far on the grassland, there was a repeated call, which I do not know what it is. I am attaching this recording here https://youtu.be/t_5yRgA7-bk). The short 1-2 second call repeated several times, about once every minute. It might not even be a wildfowl call but something else.
4) A Red Grouse or female Black Grouse? Just a couple mins later and not far from second sighting, I came across a brown/orangeish looking grouse, quite close to it (as I was coming against the wind, so the grouse did not hear me). Once it saw me, it flew straight and slightly downwards over the deep river valley to the other side (actually it glide rather than flying), which took it about 30 seconds, so I could see a bright brown/orangeish body, open tail (pale brownish?). As the valley is deep, the bird flew quite at a height and landed on the top of the tall trees by the river down there. Made no sound.
I think it was most likely a red grouse. As I did not notice a white bar on wings, I don't think it was a female black grouse (though it was also one of my guesses). I also wouldn't expect to be a female Caper, as the area is not a dense Scot pine wood, but I do not know Capers well, and I do not know if they are present in open heath and grassland.
Comments?
Other birds in the area included meadow pipits, stonechats, possible sedge warblers, and a possible golden eagle sighting.
Today I found a location in the Highlands (quite NW of Aviemore) which is very rich in grouses and partridges. Being a beginner, I need some help.
I am somehow familiar with the pheasant (as I have it near my home and I hear its song in most days) but I am not familiar with all other grouses and partridges.
Today while doing a long hike, I stumbled upon at least 2 or 3 different species.
1) A Red legged partridge? First I saw a flock of 8 walking red-legged partridges, or at least I thought they were so, until I realise they could have been Chukar partridges. As I relied solely in my quick close-look, I missed the neck detail that would distinguish them. This was seen in dense birch/ Scot pine forest.
An hour later, overseeing a river valley with aspen, birch and scot pine, I had 3 more sightings.
2) A Red grouse or even another Red legged partridge? The first one was a grouse-like bird flew quickly up to the edge of the forest, only revealing an unremarkable body but with a bright orange open tail. Of course I understand light conditions can affect the colors. It could have been a red grouse, but also a female black grouse, a female Caper (unlikely) or even a red legged partridge.
3) Unknown bird call 20min later, now more upland where the moor started, I glimpse something flying fast and then far on the grassland, there was a repeated call, which I do not know what it is. I am attaching this recording here https://youtu.be/t_5yRgA7-bk). The short 1-2 second call repeated several times, about once every minute. It might not even be a wildfowl call but something else.
4) A Red Grouse or female Black Grouse? Just a couple mins later and not far from second sighting, I came across a brown/orangeish looking grouse, quite close to it (as I was coming against the wind, so the grouse did not hear me). Once it saw me, it flew straight and slightly downwards over the deep river valley to the other side (actually it glide rather than flying), which took it about 30 seconds, so I could see a bright brown/orangeish body, open tail (pale brownish?). As the valley is deep, the bird flew quite at a height and landed on the top of the tall trees by the river down there. Made no sound.
I think it was most likely a red grouse. As I did not notice a white bar on wings, I don't think it was a female black grouse (though it was also one of my guesses). I also wouldn't expect to be a female Caper, as the area is not a dense Scot pine wood, but I do not know Capers well, and I do not know if they are present in open heath and grassland.
Comments?
Other birds in the area included meadow pipits, stonechats, possible sedge warblers, and a possible golden eagle sighting.
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