Highlands of Scotland 5th-13th May 2018

River Spey & Cairngorm Mountains viewed from Bridge in Boat of Garten (K Andrews)
River Spey & Cairngorm Mountains viewed from Bridge in Boat of Garten (K Andrews)
Loch Garten (K Andrews)
Loch Garten (K Andrews)
Osprey at Loch Garten (A Swandale)
Osprey at Loch Garten (A Swandale)
Osprey cam at Loch Garten Visitor Centre (A Swandale)
Osprey cam at Loch Garten Visitor Centre (A Swandale)
Cairngorms (A Swandale)
Cairngorms (A Swandale)
Cairngorm Mountain Centre (A Swandale)
Cairngorm Mountain Centre (A Swandale)
A well camouflaged male ptarmigan (A Swandale)
A well camouflaged male ptarmigan (A Swandale)
Ring ouzel (A Swandale)
Ring ouzel (A Swandale)
Male snow bunting (A Swandale)
Male snow bunting (A Swandale)
Male snow bunting (A Swandale)
Male snow bunting (A Swandale)
Findhorn Valley (A Swandale)
Findhorn Valley (A Swandale)
Findhorn Valley (A Swandale)
Findhorn Valley (A Swandale)
Red-throated diver at Loch Ruthven (A Swandale)
Red-throated diver at Loch Ruthven (A Swandale)
Lochindorb (A Swandale)
Lochindorb (A Swandale)
Red grouse at Lochindorb (A Swandale)
Red grouse at Lochindorb (A Swandale)
Mountain hare at Lochindorb (A Swandale)
Mountain hare at Lochindorb (A Swandale)
Mountain hare (A Swandale)
Mountain hare (A Swandale)
Spey Bay (A Swandale)
Spey Bay (A Swandale)
Spey Bay (A Swandale)
Spey Bay (A Swandale)
Hooded crow at Culbin Sands (A Swandale)
Hooded crow at Culbin Sands (A Swandale)
Knot at Burghead (A Swandale)
Knot at Burghead (A Swandale)
Wood warbler (A Swandale)
Wood warbler (A Swandale)
Wood warbler at Craigellercie (A Swandale)
Wood warbler at Craigellercie (A Swandale)
Red squirrel (A Swandale)
Red squirrel (A Swandale)
Not so red red squirrel! (A Swandale)
Not so red red squirrel! (A Swandale)
Male crossbill - possibly Scottish crossbill (A Swandale)
Male crossbill - possibly Scottish crossbill (A Swandale)
Male & juvenile crossbill - possibly of Scottish species (A Swandale)
Male & juvenile crossbill - possibly of Scottish species (A Swandale)

The group of nine people, including the tour leader Tony Swandale, spent seven nights at the Boat Inn in Boat of Garten, Speyside.  The hotel was within walking distance of the RSPB's famous Loch Garten and well situated for exploring the Caledonian pine forest, lochs and Cairngorm Mountains. Other sites visited during our stay included the Cairngorm Mountain Centre and Loch Morlich, the Findhorn Valley (Strathdearn), Loch Ruthven, Lochindorb, Craigellercie National Nature Reserve and the coast between Spey Bay and Port George. 

A total of 115 species of bird were recorded.  The highlights were as follows:  osprey, ptarmigan, capercaillie, black grouse, snow bunting, ring ouzel, wood warbler, redstart, dipper, crested tit, crossbill (possibly the endemic Scottish species), black and red-throated diver, Arctic and great skua, eider, goosander and goldeneye.

Mammals seen included red and roe deer, grey seal, mountain hare and bottlenose dolphin.

A trip report and full species list is available upon request.

Tony Swandale

Postscript.  Photographs of the crossbills were sent to two experienced Scottish ornithologists for their opinions. Although this is a difficult area of research both agree their bill structure is consistent with that of Scottish crossbill.

Latest comments

14.09 | 09:08

Certainly John, will do

14.09 | 08:02

Hi Tony, thanks for the response. Yes I’d like further details on Dungeness trip and to be updated on other events. Thanks
John

13.09 | 15:21

John. The next session will be at Dungeness on 17th October 10am to 3.30pm. If you would like further details or wish to be updated on other events please let me know.

13.09 | 08:18

Could you please send me details of your courses for the remainder of 2021

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