Top of the world

Back to scotland and a sunny morning meant a trip up the railway to the top of Cairngorm which was still snowcovered only wildlife of note up at the top was a Lone Red grouse and possible Snow Bunting calling in the car park but the view from the top was stunning though a bit chilly at -3 but some great views down the Mountain to Loch Morlich after the snow on the top the day before. Then after a nice Hot Drink and a walk outside headed back down to the carpark where had a young Reindeer was showing well.

View from Cairngorm

Young Reindeer

Then after lunch did the circular walk around Loch Morlich which was a bit warmer and feeling springlike which showed by the sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly at the start of the walk by the river which was great with Willow Warbler singing all around, Teal and Goldeneye out on the Loch and even a pair of Crested Tits in the trees and the views from the loch were really beautiful and with the woodland full of wild flowers and bird song a perfect place to be.

Views of the Loch

One of many Lichen trees in the woodland

Then decided to end the day by heading down to Loch Laggan to take a few images at dusk

Butterfly World

Despite the recent poor weather a nice morning spent at Butterfly World with my local Butterfly Group at the start quite cloudy but the sun was hinting at breaking though so a few Common Blues were trying to warm up then further around had Common Carpet Moth a selection of the Whites mixed in with singing Yellowhammer and a Whitethroat and Red Kite over. Then walking along the ant statue had a Small Blue Sunnying itsself before walking around the main Garden where we had a nice Brown Argus and a few more Common Blues to end a great morning.

Common blue

Small Blue

Brown Argus

Braemaer area

Back to Scotland and a cloudy but a nice and longish drive from Newtonmore to Braemaer on the give some lovely views which  a week later would get heavy Snowfall. Then after walking around Ballater which was lovely little town headed down to Loch Muick which was a great Walk with lots of Red Deer and despite the changing condition birds were out singing with Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Siskins, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Coal Tits out on the Moorland. Then had a nice walk around the Linn of Dee river up the road with Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpeck and Common Sandpiper the highlights. Then after the drive back and dinner stopped off at Loch Morlich in the evening light where had about 4 Goosanders, Goldeye and Common Sandpiper around on the shore.

Views near Braemaer

Loch Muick

Red Deer

Chaffinch

Siskin

Coal tit

Linn of Dee

Dipper

Dee Valley

Loch Morlich

 

 

Butterflies at Tottenhoe

Back to my more local area for now and a couple of nice visits to Tottenhoe Quarry over the last 2 weeks got me a bit of sun and a single sighting of a Duke of Burgundy along with quite a few other friends with the highland being the Small Blue out in good number including a mating pair, Green Hairstreak, Small Heath, Common Blue, Dingy Skippers and a nice selection of White Butteries some posing quite well. Also heard Turtle Dove which is so rare nowdays but sadly could't see it but heard it in the Quarryfor the 2nd year running which is promising.

Greenhairstreak

Dingy Skipper

Small blues

Green-veined White

Small White

Early Start

Headed back to Loch Garten for a early start for the Capercaille though even at this time before the centre was open at Crested Tit, Chaffinches and Siskins at the feeding station. Then as it opened up it started to snow despite the beautiful sunrise. From the centre had a good view of one male Capercaille though not very active all the action seemed to be on the Osprey nest with another male coming to the nest with the female fending him off. Then headed down to nearby Talloch Moor but no sign of any Black Grouse but a Pair of Goldeneye on the nearby water though not surprisng has late in the season but had a lovely drive on the mountain roads with some cracking mountain views on the way back for breakfast.

Hovering Osprey

Loch Garten at Dawn

After Breakfast headed to Carrbridge where we had a nice walk down by the river and through the forest with views of the Iconic Bridge

Carrbridge

Male Siskin in the woods

In the afternoon a nice but a nice longish walk around Loch en Eilein ending up at the castle with the hHighlights being my first Tree Pipits of the years, good number of breeding Goldeneye out on the Loch and the singing Willows Warblers and Chaffinches filling the woodland with song around the edge.

Loch en Eilein

Chaffinch in the woodland

Loch Garten

After the late night the night before not the early start but headed down to Loch Garten which was a tad nippy really would't have believed it was may. At the centre had a Willow Tit in the Carpark always a great species to see then at the main centre the Female Osprey was doing the sensible thing and laying low on the nest occasional showering her head but around the feeder lot more intrest with lots of Siskins in full plumage, a Red Squirrel happy feeding on the nuts and a hoard of Coal tits with  the more usual birds . Just as we were about to head back to woods a Crested Tit appeared around the feeder at first high before it came down and showed reasonable well though quite flirty. Then headed out into the main woods to see what else was lurking with the highlight been a Goldeneye out in the Loch.

Crested Tit the best of some unatural perches

Red Squirrel

Up with the scottish mammals

A two week hoilday up in the highlands of scotland started after a long drive with a evening visit to the speyside mammal watch a real treat this was though the badgers were later that normal to come out due to the sunny evening enjoyable watching the wood mice raid the food and the running away quickly and also a herd of Red Deer first of many. Then had great views of the Scottish Badgers feeding feet away and were lucky enough to have a Pine Marten visit thoughly briefly which was a good enough end to the evening.

Cheeky Wood Mouse

First of the badgers

Pine Marten