Wildlife watching Cairngorms

[lakeswalker]

Hi all,
We are making our first visit to the cairngorms for a week in early april,we would like to see Pine Martens & Crested Tits among other's,we are beginner wildlife watchers.

Are there any places the public can stand a chance of viewing such species without paying these expensive hide fees/day guided walks some of the companies up there are asking ? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance.

Adrian.

[earthdragon64]

Pine Martens are tricky, I've only seen one once in the 18 years I've lived here, and that was crossing the A9. I've not really looked that hard though.

Crested Tits are easier, you stand a good chance of seeing them in just about any forested area. A good place to start is around Loch Garten and in the carpark of the Osprey centre. Around Loch an Eilein, especially on the path between there and Loch Gamhna or the far end of Loch Gamhna. Uath Lochans, a Forestry Commission forest is also good and there's a good chance of seeing Crossbills as well. Any forested area in Glenfeshie is good, east or west of the River Feshie.

More info on Uath Lochans;

Forestry Commission - Inshriach Forest - Uath Lochans Trail

Regards, Audrey.

[Richard G.]

Only £18 for an evening at the Speyside Wildlife Hide, where they feed the Martens each day, so a pretty good chance of seeing them.

Loch Mallachie also seems to be a good spot or Crested Tit. Follow the trail from the car park just before the Osprey Centre.

And you might find this thread of mine from a couple of years ago helpful.
Wildlife watching in Cairngorm.

[lakeswalker]

Many thanks Audrey & Richard,some great advice already,maybe a little early for our visit but im hoping the Ospreys will be back too.

[Richard G.]

Good chance I would say. We were there 18-21st April and the Loch Garten pair had 2 eggs on the go by the time we left. In fact just checked, EJ the Garten female, has arrived back at the nest on March 26th for the last two years.

[larachmor]

Capercaillie will be approaching their peak lekking time. If you are interested, the Loch Garten Osprey Centre usually run early-morning caper watches - with the emphasis on early - usually around 5-6am.
For pine marten - I feel that the Speyside Wildlife hide is prohibitely expensive at £18 a session - and sightings are by no means guaranteed. Better to rent a cottage in The Highlands (perhaps next year) where pine marten visit daily (Details on request) Your chance of sighting one otherwise is I'm afraid, fairly remote.

[Gascar]

Is it really only £18 for the Speyside Wildlife hide? You'd be mad not to go there, but DO BOOK, it's not that big. Two years ago the pine martens weren't showing up till 4am so we missed out, but saw several badgers.
Last October we saw 2 pine martens as well as the badgers. They come for food within a yard of the hide.
Look at the SW itinerary for the mammals trip - we saw whales and dolphins, seals, otters, red squirrels, deer,... and masses of birds - including eagles, ospreys, owls and crested tits (yawn, sorry not impressive enough...).
We were lucky to see a Sunfish too - a rare sight.
Oh and if you get propparrr Scottish weatharrr, there's always the distilleries!

[Gascar]

I posted a pic taken at the hide butput it inthe wrong place so it was deleted. I hope I've got it right this time..

[Tringa]

I don't know the area around Aviemore, but I do know an area on the west coast where Pine Martens are fairly common.

We do not live there but visit frequently at all times on the year.

In about 40 visits we have seen martens about five times.

Unless there is a location where they are regular and frequent visitors I would not be too bothered about seeing them. If you do, that is great, but there is a more than fair chance you may not.

However, you are going to the last country that God made and there will be lots to enjoy.

As you are fairly close by can I suggest Chanonry Point on the Black Isle (about 40 - 45 miles from Aviemore) - an excellent place for seeing dolphins from the shore.

Dave

[dav56]

I took these photos of a pine marten just feet away from the lodge I was stopping in a couple of months ago. The pine marten visited every evening to eat the jam sandwiches I put out for it.
The lodge was on the west side of Loch Lochy, Kilfinnan.





Dave