I always love receiving guests' photos and Gerald Smith has just sent me in a cracker, from the Ptarmigan walk we organised with the Cairngorm Mountain Ranger Service. Gerald said:

'The day on the mountain was fantastic, good weather, great area and a wonderful guide Heather and of course the Ptarmigan. We had a wonderful stay at the hotel and hope to visit again soon.'

Glad that you enjoyed it Gerald and Nina!

Meanwhile, reporting on our guided walk today we were treated to a feast of wildlife sightings - a flock of around 20 Scottish Crossbills was the highlight, along with Red Squirrels, a Roe Buck, Siskin, one Buzzard mobbed by a Raven, another by two Barn Swallows, and on the River Spey Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Goldeneye. We also heard a Crested Tit but were foiled on that score. Still, a memorable three hours for all!

Given the heavy snow most of Britain has been experiencing in the last week, I wonder what the weather is like in Siberian Russia?

Clearly, sunny Grantown-on-Spey seems positively balmy in comparison, and over the past few days we've been privileged to experience an influx of berry-hunting visitors.

Flocks of Waxwings have been delighting birdwatchers in the area with their delightful crests and bright yellow rumps and our local contact Frank McKay managed to capture this stunning image of one of these northern invaders.

The moors are well worth exploring for bands of Ravens at play and you might well find yourself treated to the aerial acrobatics of this Buzzard-sized member of the crow family as it practises a spot of dive bombing on an unwitting companion.

It is also one of the easiest times of year to see large herds of Red Deer on low ground, and in particular the fully antlered stags who in a matter of a few weeks' time won't be looking quite so regal after casting their antlers.

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!