Blessed with warm, spring-like weather 15 Members met at Nethybridge for an outing with a rather limited agenda – so see Crested Tit, Snow Bunting and perhaps a few raptors. How did we do?
After a short drive we re-assembled at a bird-feeding site at Dell Woods. On reconnaissance visits seven and two days previously, a Crested Tit was seen well by the Leader, who had topped up the feeders just the day before, so expectations of a sighting were high. Sure enough, Coal, Great and Blue Tits all came to the peanuts and Long-tailed Tits fluttered on the treetops. Common Buzzards soared and called overhead against an azure sky. Mary heard a Crested Tit and it was seen fleetingly by a few of the party so hopes were high it would come to the feeders and we all waited. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard, the few tits still present moved on but surely another flock would arrive soon? A Siskin was spotted, then a Treecreeper slithered up a pine trunk and a Crossbill perched boldly on a treetop – probably a Scottish Crossbill but was it aware it was likely to lose its Caledonian epithet soon? Still no sign of a Crested Tit but one, then a pair of, Red Squirrels livened things up – it was bit of a supporting act to amuse the audience before the star act deigned to turn up but surely she was now due? No, like some operatic diva, the Crestie took the huff and refused to perform for its disappointed fans, so we headed off.
After a short drive we re-assembled at a bird-feeding site at Dell Woods. On reconnaissance visits seven and two days previously, a Crested Tit was seen well by the Leader, who had topped up the feeders just the day before, so expectations of a sighting were high. Sure enough, Coal, Great and Blue Tits all came to the peanuts and Long-tailed Tits fluttered on the treetops. Common Buzzards soared and called overhead against an azure sky. Mary heard a Crested Tit and it was seen fleetingly by a few of the party so hopes were high it would come to the feeders and we all waited. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard, the few tits still present moved on but surely another flock would arrive soon? A Siskin was spotted, then a Treecreeper slithered up a pine trunk and a Crossbill perched boldly on a treetop – probably a Scottish Crossbill but was it aware it was likely to lose its Caledonian epithet soon? Still no sign of a Crested Tit but one, then a pair of, Red Squirrels livened things up – it was bit of a supporting act to amuse the audience before the star act deigned to turn up but surely she was now due? No, like some operatic diva, the Crestie took the huff and refused to perform for its disappointed fans, so we headed off.
Red Squirrel at Dell Woods (Sue Seright)
We met again at the Cairn Gorm car park. Here the busy Leader had visited only yesterday, spreading birdseed for the Snow Buntings which are regular here. He’d seen only one bird but was reassured that a flock was present just before his arrival. With that optimistic message we enjoyed lunch at a picnic bench as walkers and skiers, frustrated by the lack of snow, came and went. We were also frustrated, by the lack of Snow Buntings and a solitary Chaffinch was scarce compensation. Even the Pied Wagtail seen here yesterday seemed to have moved on. There was one extraordinary sighting, however, as Ross saw a Red-legged Partridge by a nearby track – although the species is often released for shooting on cold upland moors, so unlike its warm, Spanish haunts, this one must have wandered from lower down and this may be an altitude record. Eventually, sandwiches finished, the joys of bunting hunting palled and we moved on.
On the lookout at The Lookout (Pete Gordon)
The Lookout at Insh Marshes is a favourite spot for birding, especially for ducks in winter, waders in spring and raptors at any time. It’s a great vantage point but can be a bit chilly as the upper deck is roofless. We amassed quite a few more species with Whooper Swans, Pink-footed and Greylag Geese, Mallards, Wigeons, Teals and a distant Goldeneye. Flocks of Oystercatchers and Lapwings mostly hugged the Spey, a few Curlews were seen and one sharp-eyed observer saw an early-returning Redshank. Small birds were more in evidence with Greenfinches calling, a few Bullfinches and an occasional Reed Bunting tail-flicking. Eager Alex picked up in his scope the distant rock surmounting a summit cairn to resemble a raptor and that was the closest we got to any bird of prey until a Peregrine soared past. Meanwhile, our mammal list was ticking over with Rabbits, a very close Brown Hare and a wake on a nearby pool which “aughta” be a fishing mammal but was actually a fish, probably a huge Pike. But all good things come to an end and gradually the realisation dawned that today wasn’t going to a be a six-raptor day and folk drifted home.
Sometimes Birding can be like this – there’s no such thing as a guaranteed tick but hey, you won’t get it by staying at home! We weren’t after a big list but collectively we saw 49 or so species, including those seen en route.
Pete Gordon
Sometimes Birding can be like this – there’s no such thing as a guaranteed tick but hey, you won’t get it by staying at home! We weren’t after a big list but collectively we saw 49 or so species, including those seen en route.
Pete Gordon
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