Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – a Photography Tour

Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – A Photography Tour

Naturetrek Tour Report 3rd – 9th October 2020

Red Squirrel Crested Tit

Mountain Hare Pine Marten

Red Deer Red Squirrel

Report and images by Andrew Mason

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – Photography tour

Tour participants – Andrew Mason (Leader) with five Naturetrek clients Day 1 Saturday 3rd October

Before the Tour started, one client was met at Inverness Train Station and then driven to Rothiemurchus, just outside Aviemore, where we met up with the four clients who had driven themselves to the Highlands. After we had all introduced ourselves, we drove together to Uath Lochan in Glenfeshie, a short distance from Ballintean Mountain Lodge and Cottage where the Tour would be based for its duration. On the drive, we spotted two Red Squirrels near the roadside. At Uath Lochan we spent a short time on a photography walk through the woods and along the shores of the lochans, taking in the developing autumnal colours in the woodland and discussing our photography and, for one client, her drawing and painting that she would undertake as her husband and the rest of the clients photographed. Despite the rather wet weather, the walk was pleasant and provided an opportunity for us all to start to get to know each other.

Returning to the Tour’s minibus and clients’ cars we drove the short distance to Ballintean where we were greeted by Amanda Flanagan who checked the clients into their rooms in the Lodge. Together with another Naturetrek tour leader, I would be staying in the Cottage which has feeders outside that attract a wide range of woodland birds, including Great Spotted Woodpeckers, during the day and Pine Marten and Badger at night. After we had all settled into our rooms, we met up for an earlier dinner in the Lodge.

After an early dinner, we left Ballintean for the short journey in the minibus (which we all used for the rest of the Tour leaving the clients cars at Ballintean) to the Speyside Wildlife Badger and Pine Marten hide at Inshriach Nursery. Despite the rather wet weather, over the three hours we were in the hide, we enjoyed very close views and were able to photograph four different Badgers that came to the floodlit area in front of the hide. Whilst I have a great love of Badgers, the star of the evening was a male Pine Marten who entertained all of us right in front of the hide for over 20 minutes.

Day 2 Sunday 4th October

After a hearty breakfast (the food at Ballintean for the duration of our stay was excellent), three of the guests spent the morning in the Red Squirrel photography hide at Ballintean and I took two guests to a different Red Squirrel photography hide on the Rothiemurchus Estate that has been set up by local professional photographer Neil McIntyre. We all spent a pleasurable morning in these two hides being entertained by the antics of the beautiful local Red Squirrels. Being accustomed to the hides and the presence of photographers, all of the clients enjoyed incredibly close encounters with the squirrels and successfully photographed and drew them. As well as Red Squirrels, the hides were visited by a wide range of woodland birds (including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin and Coal Tit) and Wood Mouse.

Having eaten our packed lunches at Ballintean, we drove the short distance to Feshiebridge where we spent the afternoon photographing and painting the autumnal colours in the woodland around the Feshie river. With one client happily sitting on the banks of the river painting, the rest of the group spent several hours photographing in the woodland, around the river bank and from the bridge itself.

The photography session was interspersed with group and individual photographic tuition.

Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – Photography tour Tour Report

Day 3 Monday 5th October

We left Ballintean at 7.30am to drive to Chanonry Point on the Black Isle. The Moray Firth is home to the most northerly colony of Bottlenose Dolphin in the World and Chanonry Point is one of the best places to watch and photograph them. We had timed our departure to arrive at Chanonry Point on the rising tide, one hour after the morning low tide, this being the best time to hopefully see and photograph the dolphins when they come close to the shore. On the drive, we spotted two Buzzards flying over the fields by the side of the road and we were overflown by several large skeins of Greylag Geese. Walking to the shore, we past a large flock of Tree Sparrow on one of the local houses and a flock of Starling were perched on the upper balcony railings of Chanonry Lighthouse. The morning was perfect for wildlife watching and photography, with a relatively warm sun for the time of year on our backs. As we waited, we enjoyed close views of several Grey Seals as they swam in the sea close to the shore together with juvenile Razorbill and Guillemots and Red-breasted Merganser. After three hours, the optimal period for seeing and photographing the dolphins had passed without them putting in an appearance, and we decided to drive further north to Cromarty to see if the dolphins were in that area.

On the drive to Cromarty, we stopped for lunch at RSPB Udale Bay Nature Reserve. There were a large number of waders, ducks and geese (including Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greylag and Barnacle Geese and Scaup) in the bay and on the mudflats at the reserve juxtaposed against several oil platforms in the background. With the Bottlenose Dolphins continuing to be elusive, we headed off the Black Isle, through Inverness and back into the Highlands heading for Loch Garten in the Abernethy Forest.

Driving through the village of Carrbridge, we stopped off to spend time photographing the old packhorse bridge, after which Carrbridge is named, that spans the River Dunlain. The packhorse bridge which was built in 1717, is the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands.

Shortly before we arrived at Loch Garten, the client who was sitting in the passenger seat in the front of the minibus said there was a “black turkey” in the wood we were driving past. It took a split second for this comment to register before I brought the minibus to a quick but safe stop. We all quickly decamped from the minibus and excitedly scanned the wood for this “black turkey” – the area we were in is home to Capercaillie and the large males do resemble black turkeys. Sadly, no Capercaillie (or black turkeys for that matter) were seen. For the rest of the Tour, we continued to look out for the small number of Capercaillie that can be found in the woodlands of the Highlands.

The woodland birds at the RSPB car park at Loch Garten are very used to people. As we watched and photographed, large numbers of Chaffinches, Coal Tits and Blue Tits came very close to where we stood, feeding on the bird food that other visitors had put our for them. After a short time, a single Crested Tit came down into the trees. With the late afternoon sun illuminating Loch Garten, our attention turned to landscape photography and the clients spent several hours photographing and painting the autumnal woodland and its reflections in the still waters of the loch.

Day 4 Tuesday 6th October

This morning, I took the three clients who had not yet visited it to the Red Squirrel photography hide on the Rothiemurchus Estate. The remaining two clients spent the morning in the woodland bird photography hide at Ballintean. The Red Squirrels again delighted the clients in the hide, putting in another stellar performance. At this time of year, there was still some purple colour in the heather on the forest floor which contrasted beautifully

2 © Naturetrek November 2020

Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – Photography Tour Tour Report

against the golden hues of the autumnal trees in the background making for excellent conditions for photography. The two clients in the woodland bird hide were treated to very close visits from a variety of woodland birds including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tits and Coal Tits, Chaffinches and Goldfinches which made for a great morning’s photography and drawing.

In the afternoon, we headed off from Ballintean towards RPSB Insh Marsh. I was hoping to photograph a herd of Red Deer that were rutting close to the marsh. After a short drive, we found the Red Deer in a field. The dominant stag had a group of 40 hinds and young that he was defending against several younger, smaller stags. From a safe distance, so as not to disturb the deer, we watched and photographed them as the dominant stag, bellowing loudly, saw off his challengers.

After photographing the Red Deer, we drove a little further before stopping at Tromie Bridge to photograph the River Tromie as it flows down through a small gorge. Surrounded by woodland in autumnal colours, this is a beautiful spot with easy access for landscape photography.

Continuing on to the RSPB viewpoint overlooking the Insh Marshes reserve, we scanned the marsh and had sightings of Buzzard, Teal, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Rooks and |Rabbits. On the way back to Ballintean, we found three Roe Deer in woodland close to the side of the road. By carefully using the minibus as a mobile hide, we were able to photograph these deer before they disappeared into the wood.

After dinner at Ballintean, Peter Cairns (who is a leading wildlife and conservation photographer) gave an illustrated talk on his work with the rewilding charity “Scotland : The Big Picture” to the clients on the Tour and to the clients on the Naturetrek Autumn in the Cairngorms tour who were also staying at Ballintean. Rewilding is a controversial subject amongst its proponents and opponents. It is fair to say that even amongst those in favour of rewilding there is no consensus on how it should take place. After Peter had finished his very informative talk, a fairly lively discussion took place with several differing views on rewilding being expressed.

Day 5 Wednesday 7th October

The clients spent this morning photographing in the Red Squirrel and woodland bird photography hides at Ballintean, giving each of the clients the opportunity to use a different hide from the one they had been in earlier in the Tour. The Red Squirrels again appeared at close quarters making for great photography and drawing. The three clients in the woodland bird photography hide enjoyed great views of, and successfully photographed, a wide variety of woodland birds, including Chaffinches, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Goldfinches and Siskin.

After lunch at Ballintean, we drove up into Glenfeshie. The rewilding work that is being undertaken in the glen was clearly evident on both sides of the River Feshie. The autumnal colours in Glenfeshie at this time of year were spectacular. Returning to Ballintean, we all went for a short walk in the nearby woods. With the sound of a Red Deer stag bellowing, we watched as Crested Tits flitted from tree to tree together with a small group of Goldcrest.

Following an early dinner, we returned to the Speyside Wildlife Badger and Pine Marten hide at Inshriach Nursery. Unlike our first visit earlier in the week, the weather this evening was dry. Settling into the hide, we did not have to wait long before the first Badger appeared in front of the hide. During the evening, we enjoyed great views and were able to photograph of all of the six Badgers that visit the hide. At times there were up to four Badgers present at one time. With the Badgers on the ground below, the male Pine Marten that we had seen earlier in the week

Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – Photography tour Tour Report

appeared in the tree in front of the hide before walking along the aerial walkway to the small wooden platform in front of the hide. After a short time, a second Pine Marten - a slightly smaller female - appeared and joined the male. Together, they stayed in front of the hide for over half an hour.

Day 6 Thursday 8th October

This morning we drove from Glenfeshie to the small village of Tomatin that sits at the entrance to the upper Findhorn Valley. The Findhorn Valley is known as the “Valley of the Raptors” and is one of the best places to see Golden Eagle and other birds of prey. The hillsides of the surrounding Monadhliath Mountains are also one of the best areas to see and photograph Mountain Hares in the Highlands. From Tomatin, there is a single track road that winds its way into the upper reaches of the valley.

Arriving in the area where the group would look for Mountain Hares, we spent an hour looking for raptors and other wildlife. As we watched, a Peregrine Falcon flew along the ridge of the hills and landed on a rock where it remained perched surveying the valley below it. We also saw several herds of Red Deer high on the hills and heard the sound of the stags bellowing as Buzzards, Kestrels and a Red Kite flew around the valley.

From the car park, a good path leads up into the hillside above the Findhorn Valley. Walking slowly, we went along the path for just under a mile before we spotted a Mountain Hare sitting on the hill above the path. Leaving our bags with the client who had come to draw and paint, I took the four other clients up towards the Mountain Hare. Taking our time with frequent stops so as not to disturb it, as a group we all got to within 10 metres of the hare. Completely relaxed and unperturbed by our presence, we all photographed this very tolerant animal against the beautiful background of the Findhorn Valley. After taking our photographs, we carefully backed away from the hare leaving it where we had found it. Walking back down to the car park, the clients were all very pleased to have spent time watching and photographing this beautiful animal.

After eating our packed lunches, as we slowly drove back down the Findhorn Valley to Tomatin, we stopped to watch a Golden Eagle that was flying low around the valley bottom giving all of us excellent views of it. As we watched the eagle, a herd of Red Deer was spotted high on the ridgeline above the valley and a further four Red Kites were seen flying around the valley. With the weather deteriorating, from Tomatin we drove to Lochindorb hoping to see and photograph Red Grouse that come down to the roadside near the loch. With heavy rain falling and the wind picking up, the surface of the loch was being whipped up and no grouse were to be seen.

Day 7 Friday 9th October

After breakfast on the last morning of the Tour, we drove to the Rothiemurchus Estate where we spent the morning photographing Crested Tit at a site that has been set up by local professional photographer Neil McIntyre. With four Crested Tits visiting the site, this is one of the best places to see and photograph these enigmatic little birds that are now largely confined to remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forests and Scots pine plantations. After a successful morning photographing and drawing the visiting Crested Tits, we returned to Ballintean where we said our farewells and departed for our homes.

Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – Photography Tour Tour Report

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Species List

Birds

3rd to 9th October 2020 Common name Scientific name 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 1 Greylag Goose Anser anser ✓ ✓ 2 Canada Goose Branta canadensis ✓ 3 Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis ✓ 4 Mute Swan Cygnus olor ✓ 5 Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope ✓ 6 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos ✓ ✓ ✓ 7 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca ✓ ✓ 8 Scaup Aythya marila ✓ 9 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator ✓ 10 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ✓ 11 Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis ✓ 12 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa ✓ ✓ 13 Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus ✓ 14 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea ✓ 15 Little Egret Egretta garzetta ✓ 16 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos ✓ 17 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 18 Red Kite Milvus milvus ✓ 19 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 20 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus ✓ 21 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus ✓ 22 Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula ✓ 23 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius ✓

Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – Photography tour Tour Report

3rd to 9th October 2020 Common name Scientific name 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 24 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata ✓ 25 Common Redshank Tringa totanus ✓ 26 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica ✓ 27 Dunlin Calidris alpina ✓ 28 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus ✓ 29 Herring Gull Larus argentatus ✓ 30 Razorbill Alca torda ✓ 31 Guillemot Uria aalge ✓ 32 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 33 Stock Dove Columba oenas ✓ 34 Tawny Owl Strix aluco ✓ 35 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 36 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus ✓ 37 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ✓ 38 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica ✓ 39 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 40 Northern Raven Corvus corax ✓ ✓ 41 Coal Tit Periparus ater ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 42 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus ✓ ✓ ✓ 43 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 44 Great Tit Parus major ✓ 45 Goldcrest Regulus regulus ✓ 46 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes ✓ ✓ 47 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris ✓ 48 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris ✓ 49 Common Blackbird Turdus merula ✓ ✓ 50 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos ✓ 51 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus ✓ 52 European Robin Erithacus rubecula ✓ ✓ 53 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola ✓ 54 House Sparrow Passer domesticus ✓ 55 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ✓ 56 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis ✓ ✓ ✓ 57 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs ✓ ✓ ✓ 58 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula ✓ 59 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis ✓ ✓ 60 Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus ✓

Autumn Wildlife of the Scottish Highlands – Photography Tour Tour Report

Mammals

3rd to 9th October 2020 Scientific name Common name 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 1 Pine Marten Martes martes ✓ 2 2 European Badger Meles meles 4 6 3 European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus ✓ ✓ 4 Brown Hare Lepus europaeus ✓ ✓ 5 Mountain Hare Lepus timidus ✓ 6 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 7 Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 8 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus ✓ 9 Red Deer Cervus elaphus ✓ ✓ ✓ 10 Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus ✓

Carrbridge