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?