HIGHLANDS BIRDING WEEKEND

I’ve just returned from a thrilling three-day birding trip in the Highlands of Scotland with Dan Pointon and Owen Parsons. Despite some challenging weather at times, we recorded a fantastic array of birds and mammals during our adventure. A particular highlight was the Ptarmigan—a lifer for Owen. Although Dan managed to spot it, we were on the opposite side of the mountain and, unfortunately, missed it due to dwindling daylight. Attempts to visit additional sites were thwarted by the weather, but the days we did spend afield were highly rewarding.

Sunday 5th January

Cairn-O-Mount

7 Red Legged Partridge

South of Tomintoul

4 Black Grouse

Black Grouse

1 Woodcock-Over car whilst driving

1 Redpoll

Tomvaich-Highland

Tomvaich forest, where we connected with the Scottish Crossbill

Sparrowhawk, 4 Crested Tit, 6 Goldcrest, Eurasian Treecreeper, 2 Redpoll and 2 Scottish Crossbill-N20 call type obtained 

Private Site

1 Female Capercaillie

Lochindorb

                                                               

1 Red Grouse

Dalnahaitnach

Raptor watch at Dalnahaitnach

1 Peregrine Falcon

Cairngorm-Coire a t-Sneachda-Highland

2 Red Grouse, Ptarmigan and 8 Snow Bunting

Willow Ptarmigan

Snow Bunting

Ptarmigan

B970 South of Auchgourish

2 Woodcock

14 Roe Deer

1 Pine Marten

Monday 6th January

Dell Woods

2 Crested Tit

Crested Tit

Nethy Bridge

9 Siskin

Drumochter-Highland

150 Red Grouse-Being flushed by Golden eagle

1 Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

South Of Airlie

1 Barn Owl

Blairgowrie

Eurasian Beaver

1 Otter

Eurasian Beaver

Tuesday 7th January

Boghead pool and farmland

15 Eurasian Tree Sparrow, 40 Corn Bunting, 30 Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting

Corn Bunting

Braehead of Lunan-Angus

1 Snow Goose

Snow Goose

Lunan Bay-Angus

800 Pink Footed Goose, 8 Velvet Scoter, 450 Common Scoter,  70 Long-Tailed Duck  6 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Common Ringed Plover, 3 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew, 20 Sanderling, Razorbill, 50 Red-Throated Diver, 1 Shag, 1 Hooded Crow and a Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

Long-tailed duck

Velvet Scoter

Nearby Crop held 5 Tree Sparrows, 1 Brambling, 25 Yellowhammers, and a feeding flock of 350 Linnets

Brambling

All told, it was a cracking few days in the Highlands, with outstanding birds, unforgettable scenery, and some excellent mammal encounters along the way.

Me and Dan in the Cairngorm forest

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