Wildlife watching in Cairngorm

[Richard G.]

In the process of planning a short trip to Cairngorm next April.

Already have plans to visit Loch Garten and Rothiemurchus, just wondering if anyone has any other recommendations in the area? Would prefer established sites with hides etc, since we have only a few days available and so don't really have time to get too engrossed. Also, we're mostly interested in mammals and birds.

What about Craigellachie or Inch Marshes Nature Reserves worth a visit? Or anywhere else along the A9? I hesitate to ask, but what about the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie? I notice it's owned by the RZSS, but seems like it's still basically a zoo?

Thanks!
Richard G.

[blueboar]

Abernethey (RSPB) and Mar Lodge (Scottish National Trust) both well worth a visit.


bb

[eeyore]

inch marshes and rspb speyside are well worth a look, you sometimes get osprey nesting on loch inch - best viewed from the church tower in kincraig.

Also feeding osprey at rothiemurcus fish farm (purpose built hide there)

HWP has quite good exhibits, tis basically a safari park of highland wildlife , and has a decent red squirel hide (wild squirels) , but in late 06 they slaughtered their wolf pack for what were essentially economic reasons and at that point (having sponsored two of the wolves since cubhood, i swore that i would never go there again or encourage anyone else to do so)

although not wildlife related ruthen barracks is worth a look if you like ruins or landscape photography.

[ChrisJB]

Loch Ruthven is great for summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe and Red Throated Diver. Also, Lochindorb for Black Throated Diver. The dawn Capercaillie lek at Loch Garten is worth the bleary-eyed early rise too. Try Forest Lodge (about three miles further on than Loch Garten) for Scottish Crossbill also.

Regards, Chris

[Richard G.]

Thanks for the suggestions, more research required I think!
Keep 'em coming...

Richard G.

[Jim Ford]

I've been to Insh marsh a couple of times and found it a bit dour. You can only view it from about 3 hides and when I've been there was nothing much happening.

As you suspected, the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie is basically a zoo, but I saw a keeper let a photographer into the wild cat enclosure to get a photo', so that's a plus.

If you're up to it, I strongly suggest to get up on the Cairngorm of Briariach plateau for the acrtic specialities, but as it'll be April the conditions are likely to be pretty severe.

If you go to Lochindorb, check if you can still hire a rowing boat to get out to the ruined castle. I've done it a couple of times.

As you're visiting Rothiemurchus, check out Loch an Eilean - there's a nice walk/cycle ride round the loch and plenty to see:



(ooeeooee - how do we post thumbnails these days?!)

Jim

[Richard G.]

Thanks for the info Jim.

I've spent the last couple of winter's playing in the snow up on the plateau and seen Mountain Hares, Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting etc, but carrying a long lens up there with all the winter gear is too much for me, though I'll probably throw the axe and crampons in the boot on the off chance that the weather is irresistible!

Would love to get some shots of Ptarmigan though, how far down the mountain will they come? I’m guessing not very, even if there’s snow in the valleys?

Richard G.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Richard G.

Would love to get some shots of Ptarmigan though, how far down the mountain will they come? I’m guessing not very, even if there’s snow in the valleys?

I go up in the summer and then I've not seen them below about 2500ft. You don't really need a very long lens with them, I got to within about 3 meters of this one at Loch Etchachan:

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/pi...igan_small.jpg

If you get the chance, try to get up to Channery Point on the Moray Firth for the dolphins. They follow the fish on the incoming tide, and come so close to the shore you could throw rocks at them! Here's a shot (not mine, unfortunately) that looks like it was taken at Channery Point:

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/pi...umbs/BND-1.jpg

<sigh!> what is it with posting thumbnails - it used to be possible?!

Jim

[Richard G.]

Blimey, never managed to get anywhere near ptarmigan, but then I’ve been in busy places like Corrie an t-Sneachda, where they hide up in the crags!

Got a visit to Aigas planned in June, so leaving the Moray Firth for that trip, but sounds and looks amazing.

Richard G.

[seamusagleann]

yep!!! agree with chris ,loch ruthven is great!!! that whole side of loch ness is rarely visited,its a haven for wild life ,name a habitat and you'll find it here!