Evening all, I’d appreciate some advice. I’m traveling round Scotland for a week this month on a mini ‘grand tour’ - I’ve come back to birding after 30 years off and have got some catching up to do! I’m hoping to see Ptarmigan while I’m there and was planning a hike up Cairn Gorm, but I’ve heard that they’re pretty scarce this year in the ‘usual places’. Does anyone have any tips as to where I might try to maximise my chances? I’m the wrong side of 50 but I’m not scared of a good walk. Thanks in advance.
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Ptarmigan this Month (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter navybloke
- Start date
YuShan
Well-known member
I would still recommend Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui because they are easy to access, and Ptarmigan are hit and miss anyway.
Take the highest parking lot and walk from there. I have seen Ring Ouzel on that parking lot in the past. On the sub-arctic plateau that is Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui, I have seen Ptarmigan there several times, including with chicks. You can also see Dotterel and Snow Bunting there. For Dotterel, listen to the calls in the grassy areas. Snow bunting can be quite conspicuous when flying around and singing. Confiding too! When I was eating a snack on the summit of Ben Macdui, a pair landed just 2 metres away from where I was sitting.
As for the Ptarmigans, they are roaming around on the highest areas of this big plateau. I have no specific tips where to look. The best way is probably to just roam around yourself on this rocky plateau and sooner or later you'll come across them. Also listen for their calls.
I have climbed 182 of the 282 Munroes in Scotland so far, and I regularly came across Ptarmigans. They aren't particularly rare. Usually I see them on or very near the summits.
Take the highest parking lot and walk from there. I have seen Ring Ouzel on that parking lot in the past. On the sub-arctic plateau that is Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui, I have seen Ptarmigan there several times, including with chicks. You can also see Dotterel and Snow Bunting there. For Dotterel, listen to the calls in the grassy areas. Snow bunting can be quite conspicuous when flying around and singing. Confiding too! When I was eating a snack on the summit of Ben Macdui, a pair landed just 2 metres away from where I was sitting.
As for the Ptarmigans, they are roaming around on the highest areas of this big plateau. I have no specific tips where to look. The best way is probably to just roam around yourself on this rocky plateau and sooner or later you'll come across them. Also listen for their calls.
I have climbed 182 of the 282 Munroes in Scotland so far, and I regularly came across Ptarmigans. They aren't particularly rare. Usually I see them on or very near the summits.
Thanks, that’s a really useful reply - I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to the trip, a combination of big hills and Western Isles.
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