We spent a night in Stirling on the way up, and in the morning took a scenic route across Braco Moor, to Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Killiecrankie and Breamar, before arriving on Speyside.
Eurasian Curlew, Braco Moor, Perthshire, Scotland - Saturday 28th May 2016
Mandarin Duck, Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld, Scotland - Saturday 28th May 2016
Yellowhammer, Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld, Scotland - Saturday 28th May 2016
Osprey, Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld, Scotland - Saturday 28th May 2016
Tinder Fungus, Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld, Scotland - Saturday 28th May 2016
I always enjoy my visits to the Loch of the Lowes SWT reserve near Dunkeld, although they're generally when I'm passing through. The female Osprey was on the nest, and Yellowhammers, Bullfinches, and a Mandarin Duck were on the feeders, and I saw my first Spotted Flycatcher of the trip in the woodland.
The weather was cool and misty at first, but was hot and sunny by lunchtime at Pitlochry and Killiecrankie. I tramped around listening to the Spotted and Pied Flycatchers (couldn't pick up and Wood Warblers though), and Dipper, Grey Wagtail, and Goosander along the River Garry. The drive through the National Park was fantastic - in the sunshine it felt like the Tirol region of Austria!
The weather was cool and misty at first, but was hot and sunny by lunchtime at Pitlochry and Killiecrankie. I tramped around listening to the Spotted and Pied Flycatchers (couldn't pick up and Wood Warblers though), and Dipper, Grey Wagtail, and Goosander along the River Garry. The drive through the National Park was fantastic - in the sunshine it felt like the Tirol region of Austria!
Killiecrankie, Perth and Kinross, Scotland - Saturday 28th May 2016
The farm we stayed on at Cromdale was lovely - full of chickens and sheep, and surrounded by calling Curlews and Lapwings, with Swallows filling the air and the occasional Buzzard overhead.
On Sunday 29th May we cycled part of the Speyside Way to Grantown-on-Spey, going along the disused part of the Strathspey Railway and through the beautiful Anagach Forest.
Oystercatcher in the garden, Cromdale, Highland - Sunday 29th May 2016
Brown Hare, Cromdale, Highland - Sunday 29th May 2016
Dipper nest boxes, Cromdale, Highland - Sunday 29th May 2016
Anagach Forest, and the other remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest, is wonderful. I never tire of the wildlife, ecology and ambiance in here.
Anagach Forest - Sunday 29th May 2016
Pine Marten scat, Anagach Forest - Sunday 29th May 2016
Detail from the FSC 'Guide to British Mammal Tracks and Signs'
Velvet Mite (Trombidium-holosericeum), Anagach Forest - Sunday 29th May 2016
It's possible to cycle through these woods, but if you do please keep to the marked cycle tracks. During our frequent stops we heard, and eventually saw, three Crested Tits - a real speciality here. We also saw three Dippers in the Spey from the bridge by the old Cromdale and Advie Church.
I suggested an early morning walk through the lovely Abernethy Forest on Monday, so the kids could look for Red Squirrels and Wood Ants, and we could take in the view over Loch Mallachie. We weren't disappointed. The woods were full of the sounds of a Caledonian Forest in spring: singing Tree Pipits, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Coals Tits and Crested Tits.
A lovely place, especially in early morning. But, we hadn't found a Red Squirrel, so we decided to pop into RSPB Loch Garten, where I know they occasionally come on to the feeders.
We headed to Aviemore for dinner, and then checked out some Slavonian Grebes and Ring Ouzels; before heading up Cairngorm on the funicular railway. I couldn't pick out any Ptarmigan from the top, though did see a Red Grouse on the way up.
Please note, I took these heavily cropped photos from public footpaths, with a 35x zoom, and didn't linger where adults were feeding chicks. I appreciate the temptation for photographers to try got get closer, but please always keep your distance from breeding birds, rare, scarce or common.
The view from Grantown, over Anagach Forest, towards Cairngorm
I suggested an early morning walk through the lovely Abernethy Forest on Monday, so the kids could look for Red Squirrels and Wood Ants, and we could take in the view over Loch Mallachie. We weren't disappointed. The woods were full of the sounds of a Caledonian Forest in spring: singing Tree Pipits, Willow Warblers, Goldcrests, Coals Tits and Crested Tits.
Abernethy Forest - Monday 30th May 2016
Looking out over Loch Garten, Abernethy Forest - Monday 30th May 2016
Loch Mallachie, Abernethy Forest - Monday 30th May 2016
Scottish wood ant (Formica aquilonia), Abernethy Forest - Monday 30th May 2016
A lovely place, especially in early morning. But, we hadn't found a Red Squirrel, so we decided to pop into RSPB Loch Garten, where I know they occasionally come on to the feeders.
Red Squirrel, RSPB Loch Garten, Abernethy Forest - Monday 30th May 2016
Siskin, RSPB Loch Garten, Abernethy Forest - Monday 30th May 2016
Osprey, RSPB Loch Garten, Abernethy Forest - Monday 30th May 2016
We headed to Aviemore for dinner, and then checked out some Slavonian Grebes and Ring Ouzels; before heading up Cairngorm on the funicular railway. I couldn't pick out any Ptarmigan from the top, though did see a Red Grouse on the way up.
Please note, I took these heavily cropped photos from public footpaths, with a 35x zoom, and didn't linger where adults were feeding chicks. I appreciate the temptation for photographers to try got get closer, but please always keep your distance from breeding birds, rare, scarce or common.
Slavonian Grebe, Speyside - Monday 30th May 2016
Ring Ouzel, Cairngorms National Park - Monday 30th May 2016
The view from the top station on Cairngorm - Monday 30th May 2016
Another fine day out and about.
Lapwing, Cromdale, Highland - Monday 30th May 2016
Please see Part 2 for more on our trip, including a Pine Marten, Badgers, and a UK lifer!
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