Sun 9th - Thur 13th Feb 2025
TOUR REPORT
Day One
We all met at the Grant Arms hotel and headed straight out to a local pinewood for a walk. Within five minutes of the walk, we managed to get the scope onto Crossbills feeding up in the canopy tops, joined by 2 Crested Tits. Afterwards we checked some woodland feeders and spotted Treecreeper, Great Tits, Chaffinch and Blue Tits. No Red Squirrel, but we would try again later in the week!
DAY TWO
After our first breakfast together, we headed north to Evanton where there had been recent reports of a flock of Hawfinches feeding in the area. An hours drive up the A9 was well worth it as we connected with 8 Hawfinches! Other species in the area included Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting. Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe and Red-breasted Merganser were seen offshore.
Afterwards we went round to the south side of the Cromarty Firth and had lunch at Udale bay. Pink-footed Geese, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatchers and Shelduck were all seen.
We headed further south around to Rosemarie for a tearoom break and saw Brent Geese just offshore along with a lone Common Scoter (drake). We had 2 Red Kites near Munlochy on our way back south. A drive round Lochindorb produced a pair of Red Grouse in the thermal, but very tricky to spot.
DAY THREE
We started the day with a walk around Dell Woods. A Dipper was showing well in Nethy bridge when we started. Roe Deer and Great-spotted Woodpeckers were seen during the walk, and we finished by the feeders and got very consistent views of Crested Tits coming in a few times.
Next it was unto Cairngorm mountain, and we managed to get c70 Snow Buntings up there. A short walk up from the centre, and we got onto a Mountain Hare hunkered down in a patch of snow.
We arrived back to the hotel for high tea at 4:30, and then it was out to the evening mammal hide near Aviemore for 6:30. We spent three hours in the hide, joined by Harris the ranger. Our patience and perseverance paid off as we got a female Pine Marten after 2 hours of watching! We spent 40-50 minutes watching the animal before it left and that was our cue to go!
DAY FOUR
A dry day with sunny intervals forecast as we headed for the Highland moors! Our first stop was very productive as we spotted a female Goshawk! We all got good views as it travelled from the woodland to the moors and back. Crossbills were again active, up in the Sitka Spruce.
We headed further down the glen and after lunch we undertook a walk and managed to see 4 Mountain Hares along with a distant Golden Eagle. Buzzards, Ravens and Carrion Crows were also active in the area.
On our drive back, we got 3 Brown Hares close to the road.
DAY FIVE
We started the day with a beautiful Black Grouse lek to the south-east of Grantown and saw 12 Black Cocks very active. On the drive back to the hotel for breakfast, we spotted a Tawny Owl sat roadside, providing amazing views in broad daylight!
After breakfast, we headed south to Inch Marshes. 2 hours persevering produced both flavours of eagle, White-tailed and Golden. 2 Whooper Swans were on the marsh.
Thanks to all the guests for their company and perseverance during the trip.
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