Ptarmigan in Cairngorms (1 Viewer)

willowsholme · Apr 29, 2017

Hi Folks,

I'm off to Scotland next week for some days birding.

Was going to the Caperwatch but reading a recent thread I have decided I might just be wasting my time.

So to Ptarmigan watch instead!

Has anybody any advice please about potential of seeing Ptarmingan from the Cairngorm Fenicular Railway? Was thinking of joining the Ranger walk at the top in the hope that going higher might be beneficial.

Maybe there is somewhere better you might be able to suggest.

Cheers

JIM J · Apr 30, 2017

Should be some around mid station of railway or not further past that point .not to far a walk . Ring ouzel easy here

Gander · Apr 30, 2017

willowsholme said:
Has anybody any advice please about potential of seeing Ptarmingan from the Cairngorm Fenicular Railway?
Cheers

JIM J said:
Should be some around mid station of railway or not further past that point .not to far a walk . Ring ouzel easy here

Yes, I've seen one from the carriage, and it was around the mid-way point.

ClarkWGriswold · Apr 30, 2017

Hoping to the Ranger walk myself on Thursday. Too early for Dotterel??

Rich

Craig H · Apr 30, 2017

ClarkWGriswold said:
Hoping to the Ranger walk myself on Thursday. Too early for Dotterel??

Rich

Just looked at booking onto one of these myself and it wont let me book anything before Friday :-C. Might just go up anyway and spend a couple of hours with the scope at the top....unless anyone can tell me that's not worth the trip/cost.

andm · Apr 30, 2017

Craig H said:
Just looked at booking onto one of these myself and it wont let me book anything before Friday :-C. Might just go up anyway and spend a couple of hours with the scope at the top....unless anyone can tell me that's not worth the trip/cost.

I went to the summit and viewed from the cafe and saw ptarmigan, ring ouzel, and a small flock of snow buntings foraging around the car park, the only problem is , as you probably know they are difficult to pick out,but I was lucky to see a few in flight, hope this helps

Craig H · Apr 30, 2017

andm said:
I went to the summit and viewed from the cafe and saw ptarmigan, ring ouzel, and a small flock of snow buntings foraging around the car park, the only problem is , as you probably know they are difficult to pick out,but I was lucky to see a few in flight, hope this helps

Cheers andm.

willowsholme · May 1, 2017

Thanks for info all. Can't find on railway site if o can get off at mid station. Any ideas on this one please

ClarkWGriswold · May 1, 2017

Where are you staying? I'm toying with taking a detour to the Pass of the Cattle for Ptarmigan.

Rich

andm · May 1, 2017

willowsholme said:
Thanks for info all. Can't find on railway site if o can get off at mid station. Any ideas on this one please

The funicular goes straight to the summit, it only takes a few minutes , I think you can walk up to the summit, but you are not allowed to use the funicular to go back down

willowsholme · May 1, 2017

Thanks andm,

I wasn't being as "durhy" as I thought then by not seeing anything. Will have to investigate why there is a mid station if you can't use it then? Hey ho.

Mono · May 1, 2017

During the ski season you can get off mid way to access the relevant runs. In the summer it goes straight to the top station. You cannot get out of the top station complex outside of the skiing season. As folk have said you can sometimes see ptarmigan from the café, but there is no guarantee. If you are anything of a hill walking then walking from the ski car park around to Coire an t'sneachda will yield ptarmigan, and get you aware from the hoards.

Gander · May 1, 2017

andm said:
I think you can walk up to the summit, but you are not allowed to use the funicular to go back down

You can get a down only ticket if you walk up. What you are not allowed to do is exit the top station and walk down.

http://www.cairngormmountain.org/funicular-railway/

jpoyner · May 1, 2017

With a bit of patience you can usually get them by just viewing from the top station. Ideally book on a ranger walk for a better chance.

Craig H · May 2, 2017

Ptarmigan on show from the café today, plus Ring Ouzel. I watched a couple walk up from the car park, I was surprised - it took them less than an hour and they weren't your typical mountaineers, just a couple out for a walk. So, if you want to get onto the plateau that might be your best option (they took the path that goes up the ridge to the left of the café as you look from the bottom).

willowsholme · May 2, 2017

Thanks Craig H,

Brilliant info.

Lets hope the P's are still about when I get there next week.

Rich, I think the Pass of Cattle may be a bit too far out for me as heading from Cairngorm area to Oban and Mull. Thanks for suggestion though.

andm · May 3, 2017

willowsholme said:
Thanks andm,

I wasn't being as "durhy" as I thought then by not seeing anything. Will have to investigate why there is a mid station if you can't use it then? Hey ho.

Sorry my mistake I wasn't aware there was a mid-station, as I went after the ski-season, :t:

devon.birder · May 4, 2017

A friend of mine went up the train this morning and saw a pair of Ptarmigan so close to the viewing area he had to lean over the wall to see them.

jpoyner · May 5, 2017

devon.birder said:
A friend of mine went up the train this morning and saw a pair of Ptarmigan so close to the viewing area he had to lean over the wall to see them.

Ptarmigan showing today, though not quite that close. Dotterel and Ring Ouzel also.

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