|
This article is incomplete. This article is missing one or more sections. You can help the BirdForum Opus by expanding it. |
|
Overview
Scenically very attractive, Glen Affric is a highland glen which includes a remnant of the original native Caledonian pine forest.
The area is a Native Woodland Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has recently been designated a National Nature Reserve. Despite its popularity with visitors a fine selection of the original pine forest birds survives here. In addition to the pinewoods there are woodlands of Oak, Alder and Birch, bracken-covered hillsides and moors, lochs, rivers and streams.
Birds
Notable Species
Western Capercaillie and Black Grouse are found at Glen Affric but both are very susceptible to disturbance and leks should not be approached. Other highland specialities include Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill while more widespread breeders such as Tree Pipit and Redstart, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Common Crossbill also occur.
The streams have Grey Wagtail and Common Dipper and Red-throated Diver, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander can be seen on the lochs.
Golden Eagle, Common Buzzard and Eurasian Sparrowhawk are regular in the area, Osprey less so but sometimes seen over the lochs and Eurasian Goshawk and Peregrine Falcon also occur.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Eurasian Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Black Grouse, Western Capercaillie, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Common Dipper, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, European Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Crested Tit, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Common Crossbill, Scottish Crossbill
Other Wildlife
Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris and Red Deer Cervus elaphus, Sika Deer Cervus nippon and Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus are common and a sighting of the rare Pine Marten Martes martes is possible at dawn.
Fourteen species of dragonflybreed in the area and the glen has many species of fern, moss and lichen growing in the glen's damp micro-climate.
Site Information
Just past the entrance to the glen is Bonnie Prince Charlie's Cave, a popular tourist attraction.
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
'The path to Dog Falls goes through some fine pinewoods.
The 18km trail around Loch Affric is long but can be particularly good.
Access and Facilities
Glen Affric is reached on the A831 from Beauly or Drumnadrochit, turning off at Cannich onto an unclassified road heading westwards. There are several parking places along this road each with paths leading off into good birding areas.
The reserve has toilets and picnic tables.
Contact Details
To do
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
