HIGHLAND
Explore superb, genuine Caledonian pine forest
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 5 MIN TIME: 4 HOURS
Abernethy is one of the great chunks of Caledonian forest, featuring Scots Pine which once flourished over a large part of the Highlands. The RSPB owns a big part of the 31,506-acre National Nature Reserve, where natural regeneration of pine is now expanding high up the hills.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 It is a long drive to get to the car park at Forest Lodge, but once there you can decide which way you want to walk. I often take groups off up the track to Rynettin, as you have a mixture of aged Scots Pine and young self-regenerated pines, mixed in with Wood Ant nests. This gives you the chance of a real mix of bird species, along with Pine Marten.
2 Once up to the house and its buildings, the wood has been left behind, with some spectacular views of the Cairngorm Mountains and most of the nearby area being owned by the RSPB! Here, your woodland birds change to species loving more open areas, with Whinchat and Tree Pipit in spring and summer, Black Grouse, and the chance of some soaring raptors. Look out for both Golden and White-tailed Eagles, plus Buzzard, Goshawk and Sparrowhawk.
3 A track takes you back high above the Nethy River, with several viewpoints for you to look again over the forest. Don’t be surprised to see Swifts feeding over here in summer as this is one of the few locations in Britain where they nest in old woodpecker holes. These openings also allow you to look down on pine trees to search for crossbills, Coal Tits and Goldcrests.
4 From the car park, you can walk past the tree and plant nursery and cross the bridge into another section of the reserve. Look out for Dipper and Grey Wagtails here and listen out for Crested Tit, Great Spotted Woodp
