Cairngorms

On Friday evening I picked up Elaine from Edinburgh station and we headed north to Speyside and the Cairngorm region. We camped for three nights at Glenmore on the banks of Loch Morlich. Generally we had good weather, but on Friday night the temperature dropped to a nippy -4'C!

Saturday 3rd May 2014
Loch Garten
Osprey 1, on nest
Hooded Crow 1 in field outside Boat of Garten

Year: 223 (Hooded Crow)

I was at the hide for 5:30am in the hope of seeing a Capercaillie, but none showed today.

The Lairig Ghru is the steep valley between four of the six highest mountains in Britain which is viewable from Aviemore.

Ben MacDui to Cairngorm circular
Ptarmigan 20+
Snow Bunting 4 including 1 singing male
Ring Ouzel 1 male

Year: 225 (Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting)

We had a stunning 12 mile walk to the top of Ben MacDui, Britains 2nd highest mountain at 4296 feet. Not content with that, we then walked back to the car via the summit of Cairngorm, Britains 6th highest mountain at a mere 4084 feet. The views were simply stunning, especially over the Lairig Ghru and towards the peaks of Braeriach (3rd highest) and Cairn Toul (4th).

I've never seen Ptarmigan so well, we walked past several birds within just a few feet.

Male and female Ptarmigan.

Singing male Snow Bunting just below the summit of Ben MacDui.

The plateau on top of the Cairngorms is the nearest habitat Britain has to the Arctic, and wildlife here is on the edge and perhaps the most under threat in the UK. Global warming pushes species higher up the mountains, but for the species on the summits of the Cairngorms, there is nowhere higher to go.

Ptarmigan habitat on Ben MacDui.

The Grey Man? No, it's your's truly gone mad with Snow blindness celebrating being nearly at the summit.

Looking towards the summit of Ben MacDui.

The final ascent.

The summit of Ben MacDui.

Cairn Toul.

Cairn Toul.

Sunday 4th May 2014
Loch an Eilein
Redstart 1 singing male
Tree Pipit 10+ singing
Common Sandpiper 4

Year: 226 (Redstart)

No sign of either Crested Tit or any species of Crossbill.

Beautiful colours, orange fungus, green moss and white and black lichen growing on juniper.The fungus is Gymnosporangium clavariiforme a species of rust fungus which infects both juniper and hawthorn. The fungus produces spores whilst it is on the juniper, which are released into the wind and infect the hawthorn. It then produces spores on the hawthorn before finally infecting another juniper and completing its life cycle.

Larch in flower. What an unexpectedly beautiful display from a coniferous tree!

Red Squirrel.

Loch an Eilein.

The Caledonian pine forest, Rothiemurchus.

Loch Morlich
Osprey 1
Whimbrel 1

Loch anonymous
Slavonian Grebe 5 summer plumage adults

Stunning views of Slavonian Grebes on a loch which most birders to the region will know, but one which I don't think I should publicise here. If you've never seen Slavonian Grebe in summer plumage, the best place is the RSPB reserve, Loch Ruthven which is not too far from Aviemore (about 32 miles).

Glenmore Campsite
Woodcock 1 roding
Tawny Owl 2 hooting

Year: 227 (Woodcock)

Monday 5th May 2014
Glenmore
Crested Tit 2
Redstart 1 singing male

Year: 228 (Crested Tit)

At last! I was up at 5:30am for one final desperate search and was rewarded with virtually the last bird of the weekend, just when I thought I'd missed them, two Crested Tits displaying.