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RSPB Aberdeen Local Group Trip to Speyside

24th

to 27th

May 2013

Trip Report

The Group was based at the Nethybridge Hotel, where we received good hospitality and value, in

our weekend package. The hotel is placed right at the heart of Speyside birding and was a good

choice for a group.

Lharig Ghru and Braeriach from Avielochan HM Abernethy Forest edge and Ben Macdui HM

Bright weather on Friday followed snow, to provide fantastic light and landscapes on Speyside. We

started at Lochindorb where, unusually, reasonably calm conditions prevailed. Amongst a good list,

Red-throated and Black-throated Divers were seen in the vicinity of the island and an Osprey gave us

close views of its fishing dive. We moved on to Dulsie Bridge in the Findhorn Valley where dramatic

views of the Findhorn Gorge produced Dipper and Grey Wagtails. Higher up the valley some great

woodland habitat produced Cuckoo, Redstart, Tree Pipit and in the fields, Red-legged Partridge.

Sand Martins were abundant over the river and above, raptors showed well, with Merlin,

Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Red Kite all present.

In the evening a small group was shown a site for breeding Golden Plover at Nethy Braes. The male

showed well in the evening sunlight. Further groups sought out the birds on subsequent evenings

with only calls heard. The last group had some compensation in fantastic views of a Tawny Owl

perched by the road side and hunting in the evening day light; such is the brevity of the night.

Woodcock showed well here and over the Forest at Nethybridge.

Forest Lodge, Abernethy RSPB Reserve HM The oldest Scots Pine at Abernethy c. 1640 HM

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Clear blue skies provided the back drop to a beautiful and most interesting visit to Forest Lodge and

Abernethy Forest on Saturday morning. Ian Perks, RSPB Warden, gave us an informative talk about

the management of the forest for keynote species such as Capercaillie. Such species management

provides for a whole range of bird and other species and plants to produce optimum conditions for a

rich and diverse forest flora and fauna. Much of the talk was delivered along the trail as we were

transported up to the current forest edge in a well-cushioned trailer behind the Lodge Landrover, an

excellent platform for viewing the Forest. Ian pointed out the oldest pine tree in the forest,

measured as dating from 1640. En-route and at Loch a’ Chnuic we noted a number of species

including Crested Tit, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Reed Bunting, Grey Heron and Golden Eye but the

breeding Greenshank are no longer present. A curious small raptor flew over; it was concluded, after

some discussion, that it was probably a Merlin.

Loch a’Chnuic Abernethy Forest Reserve Ian Perks RSPB Warden Abernethy and the Group

Ian pointed out the area of the Golden Eagle eyrie and discussed the current breeding problems. The

elderly female is now unable to produce fertile eggs but hangs on to her nest and mate. If the

density of Eagles was at a more natural level, a younger, more vigorous female would usurp the nest

but this natural process has failed and current breeding is failing. The RSPB are currently considering

possible solutions. The Golden Eagles did not emerge and Crossbills were notable by their absence,

due to a cone failure this year.

The afternoon was spent visiting the Osprey Centre, Milton Loch at Boat of Garten and the formerly-

fruitful field pools on the Boat road, now drained and offering only a few common waders. Milton

Loch has a small heronry and a range of water fowl including the only Moorhen and Tufted duck of

the trip. We went on to Loch Vaa, with some diverting to Avielochan, in search of Slavonian Grebes.

Little Grebes showed on both lochs but the Slavonian Grebes were located only on Vaa, after it had

been reported that they had moved to Avielochan. There are a number of reedy lochans in the area

and whilst Vaa provides a good source of food, any of the other lochans may be used as a nest site.

Golden Eye were particularly active at Loch Vaa and Lesser Black-backed Gull and Common

Sandpiper were found on both lochs. Avielochan sports a new hide belonging to the Grant Arms

Hotel and available to residents only. There were many Sand and House Martins in the area along

with Bullfinch, Tree Sparrow, Sedge Warbler, Teal and Song Thrush, amongst a longer list. Lesley

Silcock observed a larger raptor overhead, being mobbed by a Raven. The size, flight and general jiz

strongly suggested a Golden Eagle, the only one of the trip.

Ian Perks had indicated a location outside Nethybridge for a rogue but non-aggressive Capercaillie.

Early next morning some listened to its calls for an hour, along with an early rising Cuckoo and much

Red Squirrel activity, in a magical dawn. Finally, it was spotted displaying at least 30 feet up a Pine

tree, not far from the road. Great scope views and pictures were obtained. By mid-morning the

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whole group had seen the bird. The following morning it was on the ground, affording even better

views. This was fantastic, as it is now a very rare sight indeed and a key lifer for some.

Displaying Capercaillie from Tulloch Road, Nethybridge TD

On Sunday a change of plan took us to the ski-car park at Cairngorm, where the recent snow had led

to Ptarmigan and Dotterel sightings close-by. Ring Ouzel had also been seen close in. The thaw had

led to a retreat up the mountain so we took to the funicular railway and obtained distant views of

Dotterel and excellent views of a Ptarmigan pair in courtship. Raven, Northern Wheatear, Pied

Wagtail and Meadow Pipit were also observed along with a part-white Mountain Hare but Ring

Ouzel failed to show.

We went on to Inverdruie at Rothiemurcus in search of better views of Crested Tit. These were duly

obtained along the “Fairy Path” along with Whinchat, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush and a calling

Cuckoo. At the near-by Loch an Eilein junction, Trevor and Craig located a Wood Warbler producing

its beautiful song. This was a first for some and seen and heard by all. An Osprey flew over with a

particularly large fish and Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Greater Spotted Woodpecker all added to

the woodland symphony. We visited the Osprey nest at Loch Insh to round off a great day.

Wren’s nest at Landmark Centre HM Raptor habitat and the Monadhliath Hills

from Farr road HM

On Monday, a now reduced group met at the Landmark Centre at Carrbridge, where a short walk

produced some nice woodland birds and a most exquisite Wren’s nest built into a cleft in a Pine

Tree, the green moss of the construction contrasting greatly with the bronze bark. We went on to

the head of Strath Dearn (the upper Findhorn Valley), at Coignafearn and to the Farr road. The

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weather had become windy with showers and was over-cast, so the area did not produce the hoped-

for raptors or Ring Ouzel, but a Peregrine Falcon, Common Buzzard and Red Kite were seen. Raven,

Common Gull, numerous Oystercatchers, notable numbers of Northern Wheatear, Lapwing,

Common Sandpiper, House Martins, Swallows, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart, amongst others,

were all noted along with much Hare activity in the fields.

We packed many locations and a variety of habitats into four days, to produce a respectable list of

89 species, including some fantastic keynote species, with lifers for some. The trip was most

successful.

Hilary MacBean

31.05.13