A great all round guided walk in Anagach Wood saw us take in Red Squirrels, a Roe Buck and Doe, three Grey Wagtails and a female Goldeneye on the River Spey - but arguably the highlight was the 10 minute show put on by two Stoats, still partially in ermine, frolicking on the river bank before they tried to cross the old Packhorse Bridge on which we were standing! They crossed halfway over before spotting us, freezing for a moment, and deciding against it. Great Stuff!
Highlights from guest sightings in the past few days have been a cock Capercaillie in Abernethy Forest, Badger at the Speyside Wildlife Hide and 2 Ptarmigan seen from the Viewing Platform at Cairngorm Mountain.

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!