After a lengthy spell of rather abysmal weather, Wednesday dawned bright and sunny. Unfortunately, Wednesday was also the day I was meant to be traveling back home after my 3 day/4 night break with Heatherlea at Nethy Bridge's Mountview Hotel. However, I wasn't getting dropped off at the station in Aviemore until sometime around 1000, leaving at 0945. With an early breakfast at 0700, I could probably squeeze in around 90 minutes worth of birding around the village, The Bramblings and Snow Buntings would be the primary targets. A quick breakfast and farewell to the group I'd been birding with - Sue who would be driving back to Essex though not in one go this time, Martin and Liz who were headed back to Inverness Airport to catch a plane back to Birmingham and Linda, Sandra and Eric who were all booked on the early train at 0830 back to various points in the southern half of England.
 |
| Buzzard |
Having taken my binoculars down to the breakfast table I had already begun my list for the day with a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a Blackbird in the trees above the feeders, some flyover Jackdaws and Woodpigeons as well as Chaffinches, Rooks and House Sparrows. Heading out into the sunshine at 0745 I was greeted by a noticeably warmer morning though the mist that was hanging over the surrounding fields towards the river looked like it might make spotting birds further away slightly more tricky than ideal. A Robin and a Song Thrush were seen as I walked down the entrance road to the main street. A small number of Siskins flew over and a pair of Dunnocks were seen by the small park where some Asian tourists were photographing themselves with enthusiasm.
A Dipper was found on the river and photographed as it foraged the river bottom with its head submerged. I found the entrance to the old Speyside Way walk thanks to Google Earth and wandered along the track. A Buzzard was perched up on a telegraph pole and was relatively unworried by my slow approach, though as I drew closer it flew off across the fields, as I had expected. A Greenfinch was seen in a tall tree in a garden, and a Yellowhammer pair were in a tree by the track. There was no sign of any activity in the fields though the Kestrel perched along the fence-line may have contributed to that. A male Pheasant wandered slowly across the stubble.
A small skein of Greylags passed overhead while a Wren popped out from a bush near the houses at the junction in the track that would take me to the main road out of the village (Station Road). I added Long Tailed Tits here and a small party of Goldfinches much nearer the road. Despite much scanning there appeared to be no sign of any flock in the stubble fields which was rather disappointing. I worked out that I probably had enough time to check the fields nearer Broomhill Bridge and still get back to the hotel for my target time of 0915. However, I drew a blank there too, so headed back along the road towards the village.
A Blue Tit was the only addition along the way until I wandered along a small track near where I'd turned onto the Speyside Walk. Here I found a Sparrowhawk perched in a tree on the opposite bank, but when it noticed me it flew off. A Treecreeper was photographed on the tree behind me as I walked back out to the road just in time to see Liz and Martin drive past on their way north. They too were hoping to see the Bramblings and Snow Buntings. I did my best "no luck" mime to let them know as they were already 50 metres further down the road. I spooked a Sparrowhawk from the garden by the river as I peered over the bridge and it flew off downriver. The House Sparrows in the garden were probably rather relieved.
A Great Tit was seen on my walk back to the Hotel as well as a Sparrowhawk overhead being mobbed by a feisty male Siskin. I made it back to my room for exactly 0915 and got organised for heading for Aviemore Station and home. I said cheerio to one of the girls who work at the Hotel and within a minute Mark arrived and we headed out to the mini-bus for the journey to the station. Only Collared Dove and Carrion Crow were added before reaching the station, and having said cheerio to Mark, I waited for the train to arrive while watching any birds I could see from the bridge over the railway line.
It was mostly Jackdaws and Rooks that I saw though a group of Herring Gulls and a few Great Black Backed Gulls drifted over headed, no doubt, for the Dump. A few Starlings and Chaffinches were seen too. I did pick up a very distant tangle between what was most likely a Rook or Crow and a Sparrowhawk or Kestrel though the distance was too great and the photos too inconclusive to tell for sure. The train arrived more or less on time and I settled down for the 90 minute journey to Perth, binoculars and camera at the ready to see if I could add anything else to the list for the day.
A few Whooper Swans were seen at Loch Insh as well as some unidentified ducks. Mallards were in a small burn further on, and the first Red Deer were on a hillside as the train headed into the uplands. A large flock of Red Grouse by the tracks were set to flight by the train passing and a pair of Ravens overflew. Nearing Blair Atholl, a field on one side of the train held Lapwings while Common Gulls and an Oystercatcher were on the other. Red Legged Partridges were seen near Pitlochry and a few skeins of Pink Footed Geese passed overhead. A few Teal and Mallards were stood around a puddle in a field, and the first few Fieldfares were spotted hopping around in another field a mile or so further on.
Approaching Perth, the first Rabbit of the day was seen and from the train back to Dundee I added Black Headed Gull. A Magpie was seen in Dundee later in the day taking my list for my final 'holiday' day to 43 species.
A very enjoyable short break despite the poor weather (which was still a big improvement over most of the UK), and a few minor problems caused by the weather. I still can't justify the expense of a full price break so close to home, visiting sites that I mostly already know of - with the only thing stopping me being finding a willing driver for a weekend, but I would recommend the experience for those from further afield who won't have the opportunity to visit the area too often. Mark was an excellent guide, with a very keen ear and sharp eyes, and finally the group was a pleasant mix where everyone got on well with no hint of any conflict or even minor disagreement, even if they did all head up to their rooms at 2030 every night when a decent blether could have been had.
 |
| Dipper |
 |
| Dipper |
 |
| Buzzard |
 |
| Greenfinch |
 |
| Jackdaw |
 |
| Yellowhammer |
 |
| Kestrel |
 |
| Pheasant |
 |
| Chaffinch |
 |
| Long Tailed Tit |
 |
| Blue Tit |
 |
| Sparrowhawk |
 |
| Treecreeper |
 |
| Treecreeper |
 |
| Treecreeper |
 |
| House Sparrow |
 |
| Jackdaw |
 |
| Jackdaw |
 |
| Siskin |
 |
| Sparrowhawk |
 |
Sparrowhawk & Siskin
|
 |
| Mountview Hotel, Nethy Bridge |
 |
| Rook |
 |
| Deer (possibly Sika, rather than Red) |
 |
| Deer (possibly Sika, rather than Red) |
 |
| Grouse (might be Black rather than Red) |
 |
| Kestrel or Merlin |
 |
| Greylag Geese & Jackdaw |
 |
| Greenfinch |
Species seen - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Dipper, Dunnock, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Lapwing, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pink Footed Goose, Raven, Red Grouse, Red Legged Partridge, Robin, Rook, Siskin, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Teal, Treecreeper, Whooper Swan, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.
Mammals seen - Rabbit, Red Deer.
