Birding in Speyside (Written By Desmond Dugan)
Strathspey is the broad valley of the River Spey and its main catchment tributaries. It contains a wide variety of habitats from the open heather moorland, through mixed woodlands to the rich agricultural lands which straddle the middle and lower Spey. This range of habitats and indeed the wide range of altitude, ensure that Strathspey has much to offer the birder and also those seeking a wider wildlife experience.
While spring heralds the arrival of many of our migrants, the period from autumn through winter and into early spring, especially for resident Highland specialties, often presents great birding and photo opportunities. This period is also at a time when we need to be less aware of breeding and disturbance sensitivities.
Here are a few locations for interesting outings, each giving different opportunities with a good chance to experience the best of Strathspey’s habitats and species.
While spring heralds the arrival of many of our migrants, the period from autumn through winter and into early spring, especially for resident Highland specialties, often presents great birding and photo opportunities. This period is also at a time when we need to be less aware of breeding and disturbance sensitivities.
Here are a few locations for interesting outings, each giving different opportunities with a good chance to experience the best of Strathspey’s habitats and species.
The River Spey
Broomhill Bridge below Nethybridge; Dipper, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Grey Wagtail. Greylag and Pink-footed Geese in the fields or coming and going to and from roost. Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher from March. 2-300 pairs of Sand Martins breeding on the sandy banks downstream of the bridge and occasional Kingfisher and Otter. Common Sandpiper and sometimes Green Sandpiper at the start and end of the breeding season. Merlin and Sparrowhawk often hunt the young Sand Martins in late summer.
Grantown on Spey Upstream and downstream of the Old Spey bridge. In April, May and June you can see Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye and Common Sandpipers. Common Terns catching fry and parr during May and June. Evenings are good for rodding Woodcock and gulls, swifts and martins hawking emerging insects. Hobbies are sometimes seen chasing the hirundines. Pipistrelle and Daubentons’s bats around the old bridge can be seen in the gloaming.
The Spey Dam and Glen Shero estate - From Laggan village follow the small county road past the village shop into the hills and headwaters of the Spey. Avoid snowy weather unless you have a 4 x 4 vehicle. Goldeneyes, Black-throated Diver, Greylag, Canada Geese, Common Sandpiper, Redshank and possibly Greenshank on or around the lochshore. Osprey fish here regularly. Spy the hills for Buzzard, Golden Eagles and Peregrine. Dashing Merlin and Wheatear anywhere along the road. Black Grouse in the birches during winter and Snow Buntings near deer feeding sites. Red Deer everywhere and Sika Deer nearer the woodlands. The more adventurous birders can leave their vehicle and walk the old military road to the Corrieyairack pass (770 m, NN417986) where Ptarmigan, Golden Eagles and Ring Ouzel are likely.
Broomhill Bridge below Nethybridge; Dipper, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Grey Wagtail. Greylag and Pink-footed Geese in the fields or coming and going to and from roost. Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher from March. 2-300 pairs of Sand Martins breeding on the sandy banks downstream of the bridge and occasional Kingfisher and Otter. Common Sandpiper and sometimes Green Sandpiper at the start and end of the breeding season. Merlin and Sparrowhawk often hunt the young Sand Martins in late summer.
Grantown on Spey Upstream and downstream of the Old Spey bridge. In April, May and June you can see Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye and Common Sandpipers. Common Terns catching fry and parr during May and June. Evenings are good for rodding Woodcock and gulls, swifts and martins hawking emerging insects. Hobbies are sometimes seen chasing the hirundines. Pipistrelle and Daubentons’s bats around the old bridge can be seen in the gloaming.
The Spey Dam and Glen Shero estate - From Laggan village follow the small county road past the village shop into the hills and headwaters of the Spey. Avoid snowy weather unless you have a 4 x 4 vehicle. Goldeneyes, Black-throated Diver, Greylag, Canada Geese, Common Sandpiper, Redshank and possibly Greenshank on or around the lochshore. Osprey fish here regularly. Spy the hills for Buzzard, Golden Eagles and Peregrine. Dashing Merlin and Wheatear anywhere along the road. Black Grouse in the birches during winter and Snow Buntings near deer feeding sites. Red Deer everywhere and Sika Deer nearer the woodlands. The more adventurous birders can leave their vehicle and walk the old military road to the Corrieyairack pass (770 m, NN417986) where Ptarmigan, Golden Eagles and Ring Ouzel are likely.
Moorlands and Lochs
Dava Moor and Lochindorb. A few miles north of Grantown on Spey, you leave the wooded landscape and burst out onto the open moors at Dava moor. Several tracks lead to the old crofts sites or walk along the railway line (now the Dava Way) for a good suite of moorland birds: Red Grouse, Curlew, Golden Plover, Greylag, Lapwing, Snipe, Short-eared Owl, Buzzard, Stonechat, Whinchat and Black Grouse near the forest edges. Hen Harriers are occasional. This is now heavily managed grouse moor so harriers are more likely outside the shooting season. A few pairs of Wigeon breed on the small lochans.
At the Northeast end of Dava moor take the small moorland road to Lochindorb and enjoy lots of moorland birds at close quarters. 4-500 pairs of Common Gulls breed at the roadside here and Red Grouse are often extremely tame and ask to be photographed. At the lochside, you will see Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Mallard, Wigeon, Greylag and occasional Greenshank. Out on the loch there is usually a pair of Black-throated Divers and Ospreys can often be seen fishing.
Curlew, Golden Plover, Buzzard, Black Grouse, Red-legged Partridge, Cuckoo and Stonechat are likely but Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin are occasional.
Return via the B9007 to Dulnain Bridge/Carrbridge stopping to look and listen. Very fine views of the Cairngorms from around NH932278.
Dava Moor and Lochindorb. A few miles north of Grantown on Spey, you leave the wooded landscape and burst out onto the open moors at Dava moor. Several tracks lead to the old crofts sites or walk along the railway line (now the Dava Way) for a good suite of moorland birds: Red Grouse, Curlew, Golden Plover, Greylag, Lapwing, Snipe, Short-eared Owl, Buzzard, Stonechat, Whinchat and Black Grouse near the forest edges. Hen Harriers are occasional. This is now heavily managed grouse moor so harriers are more likely outside the shooting season. A few pairs of Wigeon breed on the small lochans.
At the Northeast end of Dava moor take the small moorland road to Lochindorb and enjoy lots of moorland birds at close quarters. 4-500 pairs of Common Gulls breed at the roadside here and Red Grouse are often extremely tame and ask to be photographed. At the lochside, you will see Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Mallard, Wigeon, Greylag and occasional Greenshank. Out on the loch there is usually a pair of Black-throated Divers and Ospreys can often be seen fishing.
Curlew, Golden Plover, Buzzard, Black Grouse, Red-legged Partridge, Cuckoo and Stonechat are likely but Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin are occasional.
Return via the B9007 to Dulnain Bridge/Carrbridge stopping to look and listen. Very fine views of the Cairngorms from around NH932278.
