Bird Watching and Wildlife Club Blog

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:25:00 +0000

The standard of entries for this year's BWWC wildlife photography competition is already amazingly high, and the entries keep on coming...

Firstly, looking at Paul Withers' work it's difficult to imagine a better image of a Bottlenose Dolphin than this one taken at the world-famous cetacean watching spot, Chanonry Point.

And then there is Bill Saxton's stunning image of one of Britain's rarest mammals, the Pine Marten caught out hunting uncharacteristically early.

If you've stayed with us in 2009 and want to enter then we'd be delighted to see your images too, and if you think you can better Paul or Bill's efforts then you must have a stunner!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Here's a wildlife image you won't see very often - a picture of a perfectly healthy Mole out and about in the middle of the day. Sent in by our guests Lesley and Robert Wright, it's difficult to say who was more surprised!
A couple of great sightings on our guided walk today included a pair of Common Terns on the River Spey catching a fish and a Grey Wagtail feeding a youngster on the river bank.
The sighting of the day, however, has to be a pair of Golden Eagles spotted at the northern end of our current favourite wildlife watching hotspot, Lochindorb.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Lochindorb has always been known to be a hive of wildlife activity in May, but the largest body of fresh water in Grampian and the Highlands is really excelling itself just now. As usual, the Black-throated Divers can be seen quite regularly and wait for couple of hours and you are virtually guaranteed sightings of fishing Ospreys. Red Grouse abound on the surrounding moorland whilst Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls are providing regular views.

Summer breeders only add to the biodiversity of the area - our guest David Carter has sent me this rare image of the ever-elusive Cuckoo and also a photographic gem of a Common Sandpiper.

Just twenty minutes drive from the hotel, this is a remarkable wild place offering the best of Scottish wildlife and scenery.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Here at the BWWC we're lucky enough to be working with some of the leading figures in the world of wildlife - none more so than Scotland's best known natural history photographer, Laurie Campbell. Laurie sometimes drops me an e-mail to let me know what he's up to, and his latest project has been photographing Otters.

In an exclusive to the BWWC, you're the first people to see these unpublished images straight from the field - amazing portraits of one of Britain's most elusive and best-loved mammals as seen though the lens of the leading exponent of his art.

Many thanks, Laurie, and for those of you coming along on our Laurie Campbell package in a couple of weeks, we look forward to welcoming you.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:52:00 +0000

It's that time of year when we all go 'aaaah!'

Whether it be on the river, on the moors or in the forest, birds of all hues are having their young.

At Huntly Peregrine Wildwatch two of the three Peregrine eggs have hatched, and by all accounts the 'eyas' - as they are known - are feeding well.

Meanwhile, on the River Spey, Goldeneye have already had their first broods and young Dippers are starting to look bigger than their parents - as our guest Christopher Allen's wonderful photos show.

And in Grantown-on-Spey itself, on the 'Mossie', an area of rough grassland, young Lapwings are running around all over in best kamakaze fashion.

Just 13 days now until the first Loch Garten Osprey chick is due!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Loads of great guest sightings - where do I start? Findhorn Valley, the 'Valley of the Raptors', is hotting up with 2 Goshawks reported along with Red Kites, Ospreys and Buzzards.

A Ring Ouzel pair are being seen at the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre car park, and Ospreys have been seen fishing at both Loch Ruthven and Loch Insh.

Both Short-eared and Barn Owls are turning up regularly at Lochindorb, and a first for our guided walks is a definite sighting of a Green Woodpecker which we first thought we heard yaffelling away last week. Right at the northern edge of its traditional range, this is an unusual and exciting encounter for the Cairngorms National Park as a whole.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Tue, 05 May 2009 11:59:00 +0000

Just a quick Blog entry today, with three memorable images of wildlife taken in and around the Cairngorms over the past few days...

1. An Osprey at dawn at RSPB Loch Garten from Craig Westlake of Deeside Nature Activities.

2. A Roe Buck misbehaving directly behind the Crown Estate office in Tomintoul.

and perhaps best of all...

3. The rogue White-tailed Sea Eagle over Glenlivet Estate, which amazed a group led by David Newland of Glenlivet Wildlife. Apparently, the bird circled overhead a little too long for comfort, before finally deciding to look elsewhere for lunch.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Sun, 03 May 2009 11:06:00 +0000

A long, lonely vigil in a mobile hide on a windswept Highland moor with nothing but the plaintive birdsong of the night for company through the darkness...if that doesn't exactly fit in with your next plans for an evening out, then indulge me for a moment and read on.

I'd been fortunate enough to book a place on the Glenlivet Wildlife 'Black Grouse Photography' experience, and as my guide David Newland drove away in the Land Rover from the top secret location after erecting the mobile hide, I wondered what was ahead. What I didn't know was that I was about to have one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

The action started before dark as with a great 'whoosh' a pair of male Black Grouse flew over the hide and landed no more than five feet in front of me and immediately began to lek. For half an hour I sat enraptured before the cocks disappeared into the darkness.

The next six hours saw me treated to an extraordinary audible feast of Snipe drumming, and the calls of Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Red Grouse, before at precisely 3.55am the blackcock returned.

Over the next four hours I took over 900 photographs, with the wonderful dawn light eventually allowing me to do justice to the extraordinary plumage of this endangered but spectacular bird. Knowing that I was able to do so with the grouse blissfully unaware of my presence only added to the thrill, and at one point no less than fifteen blackcock and one greyhen graced the lekking ground. It was a sight that will live with me forever.

A huge thank you to Glenlivet Wildlife and Glenlivet Estate, who have created the conditions for a truly five star wildlife experience.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:32:00 +0000

Another collection of guest photos have been sent to me today which I have to share.
David Bair and his wife Sarah stayed with us recently and managed to capture several stunning wildlife images including a Wheatear, Red Grouse and Dipper.

Though David doesn't say, I'm guessing that the Red Grouse and Wheatear were taken at Lochindorb which has been an amazingly productive site over the past couple of weeks, with other wildlife regularly being seen including Hen Harriers, Merlin, Short-eared Owl and fishing Ospreys. It also appears that the breeding pair of Black-throated Divers have finally decided to settled down at the loch and so are also giving consistently great views.

All the pictures are being entered into our guests photography competition of 2009, with a prize of a holiday for two on offer to the winner. If you've stayed with us this year and have a memorable image then why not send it in?

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:22:00 +0000

Where can you see Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Slavonian Grebes, Mountain Hare, Osprey, Ptarmigan, Ring Ouzel and Red Deer in one day?

Right here in the Cairngorms with the Bird Watching and Wildlife Club and Wild Caledonia!

"The best day out ever," (according to guest David Donald) also included a lunch in a remote estate bothy and a nocturnal encounter with a Tawny Owl, on a long but unforgettable crusade for the 'Speyside Specialities'. Everyone involved said they wanted to come again - and you can come too!

We're offering this event again in on 19-20 June and 17-18 July, 2009. For more details and to join in the fun contact Wild Caledonia on 07887 883117.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Anagach Wood is alive with new arrivals! The first Barn Swallows have just appeared, a week later than last year despite the hot weather, and a Pied Flycatcher was seen on the latest guided walk. Willow Warblers are in full song all over the woodland and Redstarts have also been spotted by several guests. The main usual suspect not to have been seen or heard yet is the Cuckoo but it surely won't be long.

Meanwhile, a flurry of Red Squirrel activity on the feeders is providing some excellent photography opportunities - thanks to guest Barrie Tumbridge for this one. They may be unbelievably nimble in the treetops, but when there is the distraction of an easy peanut, they will at least stay still for a few moments - unlike the Tiger Beetles, hey, Barrie!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:42:00 +0000

A blazing hot guided walk on Sunday saw our guests catch a suntan, as well as sightings of Scottish Crossbill, Red Squirrel and Roe Deer! Our usual stop-off on the old packhorse bridge found the River Spey teeming with life, with Grey Heron, Dipper, Common Sandpiper, Goldeneye and Grey Wagtail all seen from the bridge.

Meanwhile, the summery weather is producing all kinds of unusually early sightings - from Bumble Bees to Butterflies (Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Red Admiral have all been seen) and, perhaps best all, a spate of Bottlenose Dolphin encounters at various sites on the Moray Firth.

Hail the hot weather!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Lots of exciting news to report from RSPB Loch Garten.

After a very successful courtship period during which female Osprey EJ and new mate Odin appeared to be rather more than enamoured with each other, yesterday at 11.45am EJ laid her first egg and is now dutifully sitting on the world's most famous nest, relying for the first time on her new mate for a regular supply of fresh fish. So far so good, with Odin doing everything that is required, though of course the sterner test of feeding a clutch of hungry mouths is (hopefully) yet to come...
Meanwhile the action is hotting up at the dawn 'CaperWatch'. With three Capercaillie being seen this morning, and a remarkable six individuals being sighted the day before, the early start is proving to be worth it.
The highlights of a flurry of very special sightings over the pasts few days has included a male Ring-necked Duck near Loch Ruthven and a Goshawk at Findhorn Valley.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Another guided walk - another flock of Scottish Crossbills. April has definitely been living up to its billing as one of the best months to see and hear Scotland's only endemic bird, as breeding individuals proclaim their territory and any unpaired birds continue to sing and display.

Many of the broadleaved trees are already in bud too, with incredible colours and formations to be discovered for those prepared to look a little closer at these otherwise inconspicuous floral offerings.

An ash bud or a sycamore leaf can appear as elaborate and strange as a Salvador Dali painting - if only we stop to enjoy the wonderful world quietly emerging all around us.

It's also a pleasure to report that our afternoon walk in Abernethy Forest was a great success - as well as Ospreys and Red Squirrels at the Visitor Centre, we spied a male Capercaillie in the clearing that no-one else had noticed!

On the walk itself, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Siskin all put in an appearance, with Goldeneye and Greylag Geese on the lochs and a colony of Wood Ants rounding off a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's work!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:15:00 +0000

100% success at the Badger hide so far this year! Last night's watch was the best yet, with one particularly adventurous male Badger determined to systematically hoover up every single one of the peanuts! Everyone held their breath as he sauntered right up to within one feet of the hide, totally oblivious of the delighted throng of guests!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Just a quick entry today. I received a great image taken by Craig Westlake, wildlife guide from Deeside Nature Activities, which Craig took last night as he was driving over the moorland road from Tomintoul to Grantown-on-Spey on his way to do a talk at the Hotel.

The Common Gull looks slightly concerned (and a little overshadowed) by it's larger companion, none other than a White-tailed Sea Eagle! A great sighting Craig - I hope the tours you do with BWWC guests in the coming year continue to turn up such rare encounters!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:50:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:43:00 +0000

A great few days of guest sightings and guided walks to tell you about. Ospreys are well and truly back - and not just at Loch Garten. Guests have seen the fish hawk doing what it does best at the famous Rothiemurchus Fish Farm on the last two afternoons! Meanwhile, new contender Odin - believed to be a Scandanavian Osprey, is the talk of the town as he busily mates with usual Loch Garten female EJ. There's bound to be trouble if last year's male, Orange VS, turns up late and tries to gatecrash the party...

The male Capercaillie was the highlight of our guided walk on Monday, with other species being seen including Red Squirrel, Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail and Goldeneye.

There was a beautiful dawn backdrop to the Black Grouse Watch with Glenlivet Wildlife today rewarding the Hotel's early risers, with a total of four male Black Grouse seen leking, supported by a cast of Mountain Hare still in winter coat and several Roe Deer on the moorland.

And just in case you were asking, Golden Eagles are still out and about too!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:32:00 +0000

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...

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:46:00 +0000

So much news to report since my last entry.

A great day at Coignafearn was topped off with a dusk sighting of one of the most difficult mammals of all to track down - Sika Deer.
I snapped this famously secretive species feeding - very unusually - in a small herd at the edge of a plantation. Sika deer are normally known to be solitary outside of the rut, so this was highly unusual behaviour, perhaps prompted by the lack of suitable rich feeding pastures just now.

Elsewhere, birds galore have been invading the Highlands, with the first true migrants such as Ring Ouzel already being spotted by guests during their travels. Golden Plovers are making their beautiful plaintive call on the moors and floodplains, whilst Red and Black-throated Divers have been turning up on many different lochs, already showing off the best of their breeding finery. The Slavonian Grebes are refusing to be left out too, with 9 already seen on Loch Ruthven!

The first Osprey was seen over a week ago, an incredibly early sighting, and, the best news of all...it has just been confirmed that the breeding female Loch Garten female Osprey from 2008, EJ, has returned safe and sound from her winter in West Africa and is already busily scraping out her nest! First 'CaperWatch' for 2009 just two days away!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:46:00 +0000

I received a great e-mail with photos from Tim Wells which summarises perfectly the great diversity of wildlife which our guests can see even over a few days...

Red Grouse and Red Deer on the moors, rafts of Eider Duck and Bottlenose Dolphins on the Moray Firth, and Snow Bunting in the mountains. Just another day in the Highlands, really.

Thanks for those, Tim.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Spring has arrived! Over the past few days a raft of guest sightings have been coming in to confirm what we already suspected: the breeding season is upon us!

There have been numerous sightings of divers of various hues - Red-throated on Loch Morlich, Black-throated on Lochindorb and in the world of wildfowl, displaying Goldeneye on both Loch Garten and the River Spey.

To add to the excitement, the Slavonian Grebes are back at Loch Ruthven and it's a great time to see them, as some stubbornly retain full winter plumage whilst some have visibly started to make their costume change into their summer fright wigs and associated finery.

Finally, the action is starting to hot up at the Speyside Wildlife Hide, with both a male and female Pine Marten delighting our guests at a recent watch - thanks to Phil and Barbara Collins for the photo!

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:51:00 +0000

So many guest anecdotes of amazing wildlife encounters that it's hard to remember them all...2 Pine Martens seen at the Speyside evening hide, displaying Golden Eagles still seen daily at Findhorn Valley along with Blue Hares and massive herds of Red Deer, a male Capercaillie spied behind the main hide at Loch Garten, 2 Ptarmigan and a flock of Snow Bunting seen from the Viewing Platform at Cairn Gorm at nearly 4000 feet...

A veritable parliament of Brown Hares were boxing on the estate where I live last night and the Short-eared Owl is still being seen daily at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:39:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (BWWC) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:21:00 +0000

A positively balmy day in the Highlands, with perfect blue skies and amazing panoramas of the Cairngorms. The bird activity is really starting to hot up now, with waders everywhere. It's easy to forget what a beautiful bird the Lapwing is in the full glory of its breeding plumage with its dark green back and glossed purple and copper wing edges - enough for me to forgive their relentless a-wheep wheep! song through the dead of night keeping me awake!

It was a great to get a couple of sightings of the elusive Woodcock on our Woodcock walk last night, and the three displaying Kestrels at Layby 151 this morning - better known as a favoured spot for Ring Ouzel - put on a great show. The "mountain blackbird" should be making an appearance any time now...