10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching
HIGHL AND
A summer walk in the shadow of the Cairngorms
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 6 MIN TIME : 4 HOURS
The centrepiece of this birding walk is the spectacular still waters of Lochindorb, with its scattered islets, valley bog and contrasting heather moorland stretching towards the whale-back mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. The woodland tracts comprise a mix of coniferous plantations as well as several areas of wooded deer-pasture affording a hint of the old Caledonian Pine forest of yesteryear that once covered much of the Scottish Highlands. Classic Highland species include Red Grouse, Crested Tit, Dipper, Redstart, Ring Ouzel and Common Sandpiper, plus an outside chance of Capercaillie in the fir woods, and raptors such as W hite-tailed Eagle, Red Kite or Osprey fishing in the loch, plus Golden Eagle soaring over the surrounding high ground.
1 Scan the Lochindorb Burn for the likes of Pied and Grey Wagtails, Dipper, and Common Sandpiper feeding in the rapids; the former two species can sometimes be found nesting by the road bridge. A good spot along the watercourse for seeing Goosander and Goldeneye on the move, plus Swift, House and Sand Martins hawking for insects and, at dusk, a hunting Barn Owl and even the chance of a
Long-eared Owl. Check the scattered Birch scrub for Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.
2 The still waters of the loch are a noted spot for both Black-throated and Red-throated Divers and the occasional Slavonian Grebe, while Osprey and Red Kite are frequent visitors. Islets attract breeding Oystercatcher, Common and Black-headed Gulls and Greylag Goose, plus flocks of feeding Pied Wagtails, hirundines and Swifts. Check the conifer margins for Crested and Coal Tits, Lesser Redpoll, Scottish, Parrot or Common Crossbills, Goldcrest and Siskin. Red Squirrel and Pine Martin are present in the woodland, while Red and Roe Deer often take refuge in hot weather.
3 Wet meadows in the valley and moorland edge can attract Curlew, Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear. Check the scrub for a chance of Cuckoo, Whitethroat, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers, Stonechat, Whinchat and Yellowhammer. Stands of Pine support breeding Common, Parrot and Scottish Crossbills, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crested and Coal Tits, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel hunt the margins.
4 Scan moorland around Carn Ruigh for Red Grouse and raptors such as Buzzard, Merlin, Kestrel and an outside chance of Hen Harrier. Meadow Pipit, Sky Lark, Curlew and Golden Plover haunt the open moor. Corvids including Raven and Hooded Crow
