Snow Buntings (1 Viewer)

[Ian Hay]

Just a quick one. Do Snow Buntings hang around walkers on top of Cairngorm Mountain like they do on Ben Macdui?

Ian

 

[Moadib]

Not sure about hanging around walkers, I've not seen then like that. But you can usually see them in the car park, to my memory most times I've been up there I've seen a flock around.
On arriving at a summit I suppose it's common for walkers to eat, so perhaps they've learned to associate the arrival of people wit the potential for some good crumbs?

 

[Ratal]

Hahahaha yes they do. Throw them some crumbs or seed and you are going to have friends galore.

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Are they there right through summer? The only time I've had them by the car park was a very snowy Easter. On the summer trips we used to do we only ever saw them on the high tops, but that was years ago and things might have changed.

 

[Moadib]

I've had them up at the car park in mid-winter, but also on another trip where I'd climbed Carn Ban Mor for dotterel, and then later went up to Cairn Gorm, and we had ring ouzel, and with snow bunting flicking around the car park.

That was in late May, and the winter trips have been Dec, Jan, so I suspect they must be possible there year round.

Maybe someone with local knowledge can comment?

 

[burnie]

A few Snow Buntings do breed in the Cairngorms, but scattered, better to find them at the ski centres when there's snow on the ground, you will also get Hares and Ptarmigan at the same time, all hang around people, thought is that they know the predators won't get them if they are near people, though I have seen Golden Eagles close by as well at Glen Shee.

 

[MikeInPA]

I just wish I had a camera with me back when I used to ski in the Carngorms. I remember seeing them in almost full summer plumage down in the car park. I have them in the fields around home right now but as soon as the snow melts they'll be away.