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The Highlands and Islands Thread (4 Viewers)

Farnboro John said:
Yep, sorry about that. The Anagach woods early morning should only contain locals walking dogs before going to work, mountain bikers, joggers and children shouting to each other. Definitely not birders cat-footing about unobtrusively.

Anagach woods is not Abernethy or Rothiemurchus which are huge areas of prime Caper habitat which should really, really be avoided early morning at all costs to give Capers the best chance of lekking undisturbed.

Ideally spend the early morning getting blip views at Loch Garten feeling virtuous and wait until midday before birding normally anywhere else.

John
Click to expand...

Depends which bit of Anagach you venture in to really John. True, there are well used areas by locals at all times of day, there are also other much more secluded parts where if left that way, espcially in the early mornings, may still manage to harbour successfully breeding Caper.
 
Alcina said:
Does anyone on site know if any capers have been seen from the caperwatch these first mornings it's been running? I would find it very helpful to know as I'm coming up myself on Monday...
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I think the answer is no, though EJ the Osprey was sighted first time this afternoon.
 
Last edited:
been at caper watch 4, times to see these faboulous birds lek. as advertised ,honestly i would say no chance of this only sightings head above heather once, bird flew up and landed on stunted tree once and 2 blanks. last time went was advised birds showing paid my cash went round and found out they were only showing on cctv. could have stayed at home and watched on tv, but hey guess where im going saturday .to see lekking capers at loch garten lol
 
JIM J said:
been at caper watch 4, times to see these faboulous birds lek. as advertised ,honestly i would say no chance of this only sightings head above heather once, bird flew up and landed on stunted tree once and 2 blanks. last time went was advised birds showing paid my cash went round and found out they were only showing on cctv. could have stayed at home and watched on tv, but hey guess where im going saturday .to see lekking capers at loch garten lol
Click to expand...

Please let me know what happens! I shall be going on Tuesday...
 
8-P
David Whitaker said:
I always understood that unlike black grouse, which are on the lek for months, Caper only lek for a few days around the third week in April. Correct me if I'm wrong.
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Think that's about right, maybe a bit longer than a few days but 2nd-3rd week of April is usually peak activity for Scottish leks. Though saying that I've seen lone males "displaying" in autumn!
 
Super Black Grouse lek near Loch Garten this morning, a tough choice to walk away from the Caper watch but you take your chances! Poorhouse wood held loads of Crossbill, some with a faster alarm-like call I haven't heard before but couldn't set eyes on them other than brief flight views. Crested Tit and Red squirrel were a delight here. Had a nice Red-throated Diver on Lochindorb but no Black-throated. Buzzards and Red Grouse seemingly everywhere!
Cheers,
Jim.
 
David Whitaker said:
I always understood that unlike black grouse, which are on the lek for months, Caper only lek for a few days around the third week in April. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

I've been three times, in three different years, on the 9th, 10th and 11th, and seen a displaying male each time. I spoke to people at other sites while in the area, who had been earlier in the week, with success. That's why I'm anxious to hear how things are going right now. It would, of course, be helpful if the RSPB would tell us on their much-vaunted blog, but they seem to think birders care what ospreys had for breakfast more than whether any capers are showing.
 
As far as I know one was seen briefly today in flight. Agree it would be useful to have a little more mention of the Caperwatch on the blog.
 
Perhaps If they mentioned on the blog,that no Caper were being seen,It would cut down the numbers visiting and therefore also the revenue.
 
Was Up Today But Did Not Go To Caper[less] Watch Trod Paths Looking For Crossbills And Crested Tits. Around 1000 Oclock Walking Down One Of The Roads Spotted Something In Heather. Raised Bins And There Was The Head Of A Male Caper . Watching It He Then Started To Strut His Stuff And Decide To Come After Us We Kept Walking Back Till He Was No More Than 20 Feet, We Then Left But Looking Back Towards Him He Stood With Tail Up Motionless.later On In Afternoon We Went To Osprey Centre To See If Crested Tits Were Showing, Soon Had 2 Close By On Feeders, Advised That Somedy Had Seen A Caper In Flight This Morning But Nowt Else So Far. Free Admission To Caper Watch To As They Have Been Very Erratic
 

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