Start of the real Highlands
Willaim Wallis Memorial
Mountain Hare
Mountain Hare
Red Grouse
Eagle country
Closest we got to this special species
Nairn
Pinkies
Oystercatchers
Red-breasted Meganser
Turnstone
Crested Tit
Red Squirel
Scaup
Eider
Cairngorm views
Private location for Crossbills
View from accomodation
Burghead Rocks
Findhorn Seals
Sunset in the highlands
Fireworks
This year we thought we would do something different to see in the New Year by heading to the Scottish Highlands. We broke the journey up by visiting the William Wallis Memorial in Stirling where I've always wanted to see before heading to Perth for an over night stay.
Our journey into the highlands was through Glenshee where we had a walk and recorded our first Red Grouse, Mountain Hares and a single Ptarmigan. As we headed across the moors we added 2 Golden Eagles, Buzzard, Merlin & two Black Grouse that flew across the road.
The Captain had given me some great information regarding Crossbills which was a fantastic result as I recorded my first Scottish Crossbill, Common Crossbill & Siskin. The ski slopes were very barren and it was strange not to see the expected snow.
The Crested Tits were pretty easy to find and we recorded them at 2/3 locations.
We had a brilliant day on the north coast moving along a few miles at a time. Sightings included Long-tailed Duck, Comon Scoter, Goldeneye, Eider, Red-breasted Meganser, Fulmar, Pink-footed Goose, Purple Sandpiper, Wigeon, Knot and Scaup.
Our wonderful hosts really made it a memorable experience with their fantastic hospitality & Scottish cooking. We will always remember dancing in the square at Grantown at midnight on New Years Eve followed by a brilliant firework display.
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