We began today, walking in Abernethy Forest on the lookout again, for specialist woodland birds. Staying off what I thought would be the main tracks and picking a narrower one, we were able to walk alone for the best part of an hour through the massive pines which make up this ancient forest. I realised after some distance, I was struggling to find any birds at all. Those who know me will be aware that I can hear birds long before seeing them and a good half mile had passed, before I heard a single Wren singing. Continuing on our way, Siskins were heard occasionally high up and a Woodpigeon was put out of a tree. A Roe Deer crossed the path ahead of us and a Jay was seen briefly. The remainder of the walk revealed nothing at all. Moving on to the shore of Loch Garten, a Common Sandpiper was seen there and two female Goldeneye were sitting out on the Loch (in the picture below). From here, we did a four and a half mile walk taking in two lochs. A few more Woodpigeons were flushed and two Robins were seen along the way. After around half an hour, I heard Crested Tits in the trees nearby and saw two, high up in the pines. Only being found here in the Caledonian Forest, these Crested Tits were my first seen in the U.K.
In this same piece of forest, a few small flocks of Crossbills called, flying high over the tree canopy without stopping. Coal Tits were present in the treetops at times. After lunch, we moved on to the Rothiemurchus Forest and Loch an Eilein. Only a small number of Mallard were seen on the loch. Three days into our break and the only raptors seen (apart from the Ospreys) amount to four Buzzards during that time. Comments are closed.
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