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The Highlands and Islands Thread (1 Viewer)

Ratal

Well-known member
Any forum users aware of caper sightings at loch garten caper watch this year. Reading website only seem interested in ospreys

I'm starting to think they have all moved out towards pastures new. Certainly higher numbers elsewhere in the vicinity.
 

Ratal

Well-known member
Brambling C.jpg

Smart Male Brambling in the mixed finch / warbler / Tit / bunting flock. Always a pleasure to find one of these.

Edge of Culloden woods by the farm just behind the forestry centre.
 

JIM J

Well-known member
Reading a lot on twitter lately about birders trying to get views of caper. There must be a sensible approach somewhere, lots people travel far to organised site and usually leave frustrated. Meet birders later who have stunning views without half the effort. There are caper displaying next to forest tracks but they seem to be only viewable to select few or people willing to pay an arm and a leg to get a look. Even rogue males get keep quiet..These birds can be viewed at sensible distance. Is it a wonder why so many people tramp through the forests to try and even get a glimpse.causing unessessary disturbance .
 

Ratal

Well-known member
Reading a lot on twitter lately about birders trying to get views of caper. There must be a sensible approach somewhere, lots people travel far to organised site and usually leave frustrated. Meet birders later who have stunning views without half the effort. There are caper displaying next to forest tracks but they seem to be only viewable to select few or people willing to pay an arm and a leg to get a look. Even rogue males get keep quiet..These birds can be viewed at sensible distance. Is it a wonder why so many people tramp through the forests to try and even get a glimpse.causing unessessary disturbance .

Ever been attacked by a rogue Caper? I have. You'll never ever what to see another one I assure you. They are suppressed for safety of then and us.

As for seeing them, an early morning walk through certain pathways is enough for an almost certain view.

Stay on the paths, stay still, they'll come out the trees soon enough.
 

JIM J

Well-known member
Have been, but don't go to close and they display to anything if u know area where they patrol don't normally go far from there chosen patch. . After one finds you and know where it is can normally be viewed from a sensible distance. Problems stem when birders try to get frame fillers and Joe public don't know about it til its chasing them down the path.
 

Stonefaction

Stuck in Dundee.....
Scotland
As far as I understand it, rogue Capercaillies are now also covered by the Schedule 1 "disturbance" laws. Anyone going looking during the breeding season and being on the end of a 'displaying' Capercaillie is, I believe, potentially breaking the law. If you aren't there, the bird isn't wasting energy 'displaying' to you. If the bird changes its behaviour because you are there, that is apparently how 'disturbance' is defined with regards Schedule 1 species (from what I've read).

Given the level of 'known' disturbance via photographers etc (photos posted online etc), how much goes on 'unknown'? Hardly surprising the numbers are dropping when folk can't seem to help themselves, trying to get the exact same photo as everyone else has - male Capercaillie tail fanned, head back, beak open.

I've never seen a Capercaillie and the only time I've looked for one was on a September holiday I won with Heatherlea from a mini-bus. Birders can hardly moan about certain wildlife crime when birders themselves are also guilty of a wildlife crime (whether you agree with the laws, as is, or not - they are what they are and they are there for a reason). For around roughly 2/3 of the year, it isn't illegal to actively look for Capercaillies, though they are much harder to find.....but no, that 1/3 when they are 'easier' to find is when folk have to go looking.
 

jpoyner

Well-known member
Scotland
Reading a lot on twitter lately about birders trying to get views of caper. There must be a sensible approach somewhere, lots people travel far to organised site and usually leave frustrated. Meet birders later who have stunning views without half the effort. There are caper displaying next to forest tracks but they seem to be only viewable to select few or people willing to pay an arm and a leg to get a look. Even rogue males get keep quiet..These birds can be viewed at sensible distance. Is it a wonder why so many people tramp through the forests to try and even get a glimpse.causing unessessary disturbance .

As far as I know there are NO exclusive Caper sites where you need pay an arm and a leg to get a look??
 
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delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Scotland
Heading to Oban in a couple of weeks. Are there any hidden gems in the area?

We will, of course, have at least one trip over to Mull, and I'm hoping to get to the Treshnish Isles as well.

I know it's a bit early for them yet, but I'm still missing Corncrake off my 'seen' list (heard the blighters lots). If we get to Iona, where is usually the best place to look? Or are there any other good places to try for them (PM me if you don't want to say publicly). Heard one on Lunga, but that was nearly 20 years ago now.
 

gordon hamlett

Well-known member
Black Guillemots in Oban Harbour. Remember to seawatch when crossing to Mull.

On Iona, turn left off the ferry and explore the fields by the fire station. Or turn right and check the gardens of the Columba Hotel as well as the grounds of the Abbey itself.

HTH

Gordon
 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Scotland
Thanks Rich... I think the Abbey must be a bit of a hot spot for them.
 

David Whitaker

David Whitaker
Heading to Oban in a couple of weeks. Are there any hidden gems in the area?

We will, of course, have at least one trip over to Mull, and I'm hoping to get to the Treshnish Isles as well.

I know it's a bit early for them yet, but I'm still missing Corncrake off my 'seen' list (heard the blighters lots). If we get to Iona, where is usually the best place to look? Or are there any other good places to try for them (PM me if you don't want to say publicly). Heard one on Lunga, but that was nearly 20 years ago now.

Not sure if the ferries will be on the summer timetable when you are in Oban. In summer on Thursdays the 07.30 ferry to Col and Tiree runs over to Barra. You can get to stay on Col for eight hours and over six on Tiree. To get around either you can walk or bikes and cars are for hire on both islands. A long day as the ferry's not back in Oban until 22.30.

David
 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Scotland
Thanks David.

That ferry doesn't seem to run until the end of June. In May, there's a daily ferry, which would give about 3ish hours (I think) on Coll; I'll have to study it a bit more. I think my brother and his wife would love this trip.
 

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