Ospreys are well and truly back! EJ, the breeding female at RSPB Loch Garten for the last 7 years running was first seen back on site a week ago and has since been busy scraping out her old nest and generally laying claim to her throne. In addition, there have been several guest sightings of Ospreys all over the Strath, from Lochindorb to Insh Marshes to Rothiemurchus Fishery. I can wait to see how the drama unfolds over the next few days...

Meanwhile, the first 'dawn CaperWatch' of 2009 duly delivered with Capercaillie being seen in the misty Caledonian pine forest of Abernethy at the only event of its kind in the U.K.

Golden Eagles are still displaying at Findhorn Valley and, best of all, I've added a photo of a Wildcat which I managed to capture as it hunted in the rough grasses for Rabbits near my home! I was foiled mid-stalk in my plans to get a better pic by the attentions of my next door neighbours dog. Still, you get the general idea...

Wow. Can a whole season have passed already?

After a fantastic first year for the Birdwatching and Wildlife Club, it seems an appropriate time to take stock and reflect on just how amazing, diverse and resilient the wildlife of the Cairngorms really is.
And with so many of our guests in 2008 reporting back to us on what they have seen, I am going to attempt the impossible and try to pick out a few highlights.
From the unusual and the inspiring, to the sublime and the plain ridiculous, here, in no particular order, are our Top Five Guests' Wildlife Encounters for 2008.....

1. A Rabbit chasing a Stoat in Anagach Wood!
2. 4-5 young Golden Eagles circling together over the Lecht.
3. Five different species of geese (Greylag, Pink-footed, Barnacle, Brent and White-fronted) seen together in a field next to Insh Marshes.
4. A lone and late, late Osprey seen flying along the River Spey...at the end of October.
5. A Pine Marten seen hunting in the treetops at Loch Garten in broad daylight...the same couple also saw a cock Capercaillie!

On behalf of everyone at the Birdwatching and Wildlife Club a big thanks to all the people who have stayed with us or made an enquiry in 2008.
We wish you a fantastic 2009 full of wonderful wildlife watching and look forward to seeing you soon!

Good news for birdwatchers in the North West wanting to find out a bit more about the Birdwatching and Wildlife Club: the BWWC has got a stand at the NorthWest Bird Watching Festival at Martin Mere Reserve near to Southport on both days - November 29th and 30th, 2008.

If you'd like the chance to meet the BWWC Team in person and have a chat in more detail about what we do we'd be delighted to meet you - you can have a look at our unique Wildlife Map of North East Scotland, take away a free copy of our monthly newspaper 'The Watcher' and even enter into our prize draw to win a free holiday with us next year!

Our guests staying with us at the moment are still reporting great sightings of Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Scottish Crossbill and Red Deer. If you're coming to the Festival we look forward to meeting you and telling you exactly how we can help you to experience the magnificent wildlife of the Cairngorms.

Yet more guests photographs coming in today! Bill Saxton's show some of the fantastic fungi which exploded in Anagach Wood in September, providing a visual feast as well as a literal one for the Red Squirrels, whilst David Pelling's are the wonderful portraits of Red Grouse and Dipper. All will be entered into our competition - please keep sending them in, I never get tired of receiving them!

The 'Valley of the Raptors', Findhorn Valley, is simply a wildlife watchers' Paradise at the moment.

Yesterday, on a two hour walk there were the year's best sightings of Golden Eagle (immature + parent bird), seven parcels of rutting Red Deer, a pair of Ravens, Mountain Hare, two tribes of Wild Goats and leaping Atlantic Salmon. Phew!