Help Please - Aviemore area birding in 2 weeks time (1 Viewer)

[LeedsLeads]

Hi, I will be visiting the Aviemore area of Scotland in 2 weeks time. Any advice where I can as good as guarantee seeing either Ptarmigan or Crested Tit. I only have 1 day for each, or if either are a problem I can spend 2 days on either but Ptarmigan or Crested Tit would be a lifer for me. I am staying in Inverness but I am prepared to travel reasonable distances to achieve my birding ambitions. Please be clear & concise with help rather than generalisms like Abernethy Woods or Anagach Woods or Cairngorm. Accurate info would help especially where birds regularly come to feeders or any particular walks providing a high probability. Thanks in advance.

 

[aberdeenshirebirdtours]

Hello. What dates are you in Scotland? It may be you’re here when I am away, but if not, I may have been able to help out with a trip.

For Crested Tit, Lossiemouth Woods is good for the birds coming to feeders on a regular basis. They also used to come to feeders/seeds in the car park at RSPB Loch Garten during the winter, but I’ve not been across there this winter to see if they are still feeding them there.

For Ptarmigan, it will be heavily dependent on weather. I know friends who have seen them at Glenshee ski centre (Cairnwell) in the winter, and scanning the corries on Cairngorm from the car parks could sometimes pick them up, especially if they were still in their winter plumage and the snow cover had gone. I know of a couple of other locations for them, but venturing up to the summits at this time of year needs a good deal of preparation to ensure safety, including correct kit, etc.

 

[burnie]

There's a decent amount of snow on the hills and more due today, but this can change very quickly, use this to check if the roads are open

Snow Gate Cameras – We have removed the automatic page refresh as it was causing issues for some users. Please check the times on the individual feeds to make sure current, if not current please refresh the page. IMAGES ARE NOT RETAINED. Updated: 02/

Also if there is snow at Glen Shee this will help Webcam at Glenshee Ski & Snowboad Centre Cairngorms Scotland
You can actually get the Hares, Snow Buntings and Ptarmigan quite close to the ski lifts and runs, so you don't have to go to the top. There is a train of thought that these animals seek safety near to people away from the Eagles, if there's no snow, then a wander up towards Glas Maol could turn up something. Always keep a look out for Golden Eagles, we got three last week.

 

[LeedsLeads]

Hello. What dates are you in Scotland? It may be you’re here when I am away, but if not, I may have been able to help out with a trip.

For Crested Tit, Lossiemouth Woods is good for the birds coming to feeders on a regular basis. They also used to come to feeders/seeds in the car park at RSPB Loch Garten during the winter, but I’ve not been across there this winter to see if they are still feeding them there.

For Ptarmigan, it will be heavily dependent on weather. I know friends who have seen them at Glenshee ski centre (Cairnwell) in the winter, and scanning the corries on Cairngorm from the car parks could sometimes pick them up, especially if they were still in their winter plumage and the snow cover had gone. I know of a couple of other locations for them, but venturing up to the summits at this time of year needs a good deal of preparation to ensure safety, including correct kit, etc.

HI, Thank you for replying. I travel from Leeds (350 miles to Aviemore) on Tues 4th Feb. That leaves me Wed/ Thurs all day 5/6th Feb for CT & Ptarmigan plus anything else and then drive home Fri 7th Feb. Although I suspect Ptarmigan will be near impossible.

Where would I park at Lossiemouth Woods & where are the feeders? I have previously successfully dipped CT at Culbin Forest and don't think Lossiemouth is much further away. Could you provide me with some more specific information please.

LOCH Garten & Loch Mallachie where I have dipped 4 CT times previously, VC is not open until 1st April & they informed me that they are not really filling the feeders.

I dipped Ptarmigan at Glenshee last year but always willing to try again. I know at this time of year it is dangerous venturing up to the tops of Munro's.

 

[LeedsLeads]

There's a decent amount of snow on the hills and more due today, but this can change very quickly, use this to check if the roads are open

Snow Gate Cameras – We have removed the automatic page refresh as it was causing issues for some users. Please check the times on the individual feeds to make sure current, if not current please refresh the page. IMAGES ARE NOT RETAINED. Updated: 02/

Also if there is snow at Glen Shee this will help Webcam at Glenshee Ski & Snowboad Centre Cairngorms Scotland
You can actually get the Hares, Snow Buntings and Ptarmigan quite close to the ski lifts and runs, so you don't have to go to the top. There is a train of thought that these animals seek safety near to people away from the Eagles, if there's no snow, then a wander up towards Glas Maol could turn up something. Always keep a look out for Golden Eagles, we got three last week.

Hi, Thank you for a prompt reply. Are you suggesting to scope from somewhere near the bottom of the ski lifts ?

 

[burnie]

I have sat in my car facing south having a coffee and spotted Ptarmigan in the past whilst Snow Buntings were feeding on the car park, depends on your luck. I would use a scope to look around the chestnut paling fences, birds often sit on them.

 

[aberdeenshirebirdtours]

HI, Thank you for replying. I travel from Leeds (350 miles to Aviemore) on Tues 4th Feb. That leaves me Wed/ Thurs all day 5/6th Feb for CT & Ptarmigan plus anything else and then drive home Fri 7th Feb. Although I suspect Ptarmigan will be near impossible.

Where would I park at Lossiemouth Woods & where are the feeders? I have previously successfully dipped CT at Culbin Forest and don't think Lossiemouth is much further away. Could you provide me with some more specific information please.

LOCH Garten & Loch Mallachie where I have dipped 4 CT times previously, VC is not open until 1st April & they informed me that they are not really filling the feeders.

I dipped Ptarmigan at Glenshee last year but always willing to try again. I know at this time of year it is dangerous venturing up to the tops of Munro's.

I’ve parked where the red pin is on the map and walked into the woods from there, to the NW, and visited the feeders. I can’t actually pin the feeders on the map, as I’m not 100% where they are on that view. I know some people have parked at the east of Lossiemouth and walked in from that end.

I’ve taken clients to see them there in the past, so hopefully you can find them ok.

 

[JTweedie]

I've seen Ptarmigan several times from the visitor centre at the top of the funicular railway at Cairngorm but I believe that's closed for repairs now so if you wanted to get up that high you'd need to walk up, but you'd need to be mindful of winter conditions. So a scope from the car park might do. Snow Buntings around too.

 

[jpoyner]

Hi, I will be visiting the Aviemore area of Scotland in 2 weeks time. Any advice where I can as good as guarantee seeing either Ptarmigan or Crested Tit. I only have 1 day for each, or if either are a problem I can spend 2 days on either but Ptarmigan or Crested Tit would be a lifer for me. I am staying in Inverness but I am prepared to travel reasonable distances to achieve my birding ambitions. Please be clear & concise with help rather than generalisms like Abernethy Woods or Anagach Woods or Cairngorm. Accurate info would help especially where birds regularly come to feeders or any particular walks providing a high probability. Thanks in advance.

Ptarmigan numbers are quite low currently in the northern Cairngorms and with the funicular still off a walk up would be required. Bear in mind it's full on winter conditions here at the moment so that is only advisable if you are well experienced and equipped. Far better to wait until spring maybe?

 

[LeedsLeads]

Ptarmigan numbers are quite low currently in the northern Cairngorms and with the funicular still off a walk up would be required. Bear in mind it's full on winter conditions here at the moment so that is only advisable if you are well experienced and equipped. Far better to wait until spring maybe?

Many thanks for your advice, especially with regard to the snowy conditions

 

[LeedsLeads]

I've seen Ptarmigan several times from the visitor centre at the top of the funicular railway at Cairngorm but I believe that's closed for repairs now so if you wanted to get up that high you'd need to walk up, but you'd need to be mindful of winter conditions. So a scope from the car park might do. Snow Buntings around too.

Many thanks for your advice. I am familiar with the car park at Cairngorm so will try from there.

 

[LeedsLeads]

I’ve parked where the red pin is on the map and walked into the woods from there, to the NW, and visited the feeders. I can’t actually pin the feeders on the map, as I’m not 100% where they are on that view. I know some people have parked at the east of Lossiemouth and walked in from that end.

I’ve taken clients to see them there in the past, so hopefully you can find them ok.

Thank you for the dropped pin. Looking on Google earth, is that the muddy pull in at the side of the road where a red barrier / gate is ? See photo's

 

[aberdeenshirebirdtours]

Thank you for the dropped pin. Looking on Google earth, is that the muddy pull in at the side of the road where a red barrier / gate is ? See photo's

Yes, that’s the one

 

[Gander]

As another option, if you head towards Loch Garten RSPB centre, just before you get there coming from Boat of Garten, there is a woodland carpark on the righthand side (signposted Abernethy National Nature Reserve), There is a circular walk that starts off out the back of the car park and loops down to Loch Mallachie and back. I had Crested Tit on this path in the summer, and previously. There is also a nut feeder behind the Boat of Garten Community Centre that is worth trying.

 

[LeedsLeads]

Hi, Thank you very much for your email. I will try both of your suggestions.

 

[jpoyner]

HI, Thank you for replying. I travel from Leeds (350 miles to Aviemore) on Tues 4th Feb. That leaves me Wed/ Thurs all day 5/6th Feb for CT & Ptarmigan plus anything else and then drive home Fri 7th Feb. Although I suspect Ptarmigan will be near impossible.

Where would I park at Lossiemouth Woods & where are the feeders? I have previously successfully dipped CT at Culbin Forest and don't think Lossiemouth is much further away. Could you provide me with some more specific information please.

LOCH Garten & Loch Mallachie where I have dipped 4 CT times previously, VC is not open until 1st April & they informed me that they are not really filling the feeders.

I dipped Ptarmigan at Glenshee last year but always willing to try again. I know at this time of year it is dangerous venturing up to the tops of Munro's.

The feeders are filled at Garten and there are plenty of birds about there. No idea why you were told this by the RSPB?

 

[LeedsLeads]

Hi,

Thank you for your email.

The RSPB Loch Garten website originally stated that the VC & toilets were closed until 14th April and opening on 15th April. I mentioned this in my email asking whether the feeders were being filled whilst the VC was closed, and was informed by reply that the VC was open from 1st April. I was asked where I had gotten my information from that the VC opened on 15th April. So I sent screen shots of the RSPB Loch Garten calendar opening times (see attached) showing it was closed until 14th April and I suggested that the calendar needed to be corrected to show opening on the 1st April as per the email I received. If you check now, as I have just done, the opening times calendar now shows toilets & VC are open from Thurs 3rd April which is an improvement, but clearly not the 1st April that I was informed. I couldn't be bothered getting in touch again about the opening times !

On the question of feeders, in my email correspondence I was told that until the VC is open to the public, only the huge, 6ft long peanut feeder almost next to the VC, which I know well, was being regularly filled, and the remaining feeders were not being filled. On the basis that I live 350 miles from Aviemore, have dipped Crested Tit at both Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie on 5 previous occasions, I am reliant on accurate information from the RSPB to save me the possibility of a wasted journey when my time for birding is limited. As I intend visiting Aviemore in 1 weeks time, I can't afford to waste time visiting if the feeders, apart from one, are not being regularly filled when the VC is currently closed. I still have Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie on my list to visit next week, but because of the reply that I received, both are now lower prioritised on my list of places to visit.

If you have information suggesting that all the feeders, are in fact being constantly filled whilst the VC is currently closed, it would be great if you could share that with me. Equally, apart from the above sites, if you have any specific sites (not generalisms like Anagach Woods, Nethy Bridge Woods, Culbin Forest, Boat of Garten Woods, Woods around Loch Morlich, Loch an Eilien, Lossiemouth etc.) where I can find feeders in the woods or somewhere where there is a high probability of seeing Crested Tit then that would be greatly appreciated.

As my wife keeps on telling me "for god sake it is only a bird". But perhaps you can detect my enthusiasm to finally put this challenge to bed.

 

[Gander]

Worth keeping an eye on the live cam at Loch Garten to see if Crested are visiting.

 

[LeedsLeads]

Hi, I didn't know that they had a live cam ? Can't find it on the website ?

 

[jpoyner]

Hi,

Thank you for your email.

The RSPB Loch Garten website originally stated that the VC & toilets were closed until 14th April and opening on 15th April. I mentioned this in my email asking whether the feeders were being filled whilst the VC was closed, and was informed by reply that the VC was open from 1st April. I was asked where I had gotten my information from that the VC opened on 15th April. So I sent screen shots of the RSPB Loch Garten calendar opening times (see attached) showing it was closed until 14th April and I suggested that the calendar needed to be corrected to show opening on the 1st April as per the email I received. If you check now, as I have just done, the opening times calendar now shows toilets & VC are open from Thurs 3rd April which is an improvement, but clearly not the 1st April that I was informed. I couldn't be bothered getting in touch again about the opening times !

On the question of feeders, in my email correspondence I was told that until the VC is open to the public, only the huge, 6ft long peanut feeder almost next to the VC, which I know well, was being regularly filled, and the remaining feeders were not being filled. On the basis that I live 350 miles from Aviemore, have dipped Crested Tit at both Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie on 5 previous occasions, I am reliant on accurate information from the RSPB to save me the possibility of a wasted journey when my time for birding is limited. As I intend visiting Aviemore in 1 weeks time, I can't afford to waste time visiting if the feeders, apart from one, are not being regularly filled when the VC is currently closed. I still have Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie on my list to visit next week, but because of the reply that I received, both are now lower prioritised on my list of places to visit.

If you have information suggesting that all the feeders, are in fact being constantly filled whilst the VC is currently closed, it would be great if you could share that with me. Equally, apart from the above sites, if you have any specific sites (not generalisms like Anagach Woods, Nethy Bridge Woods, Culbin Forest, Boat of Garten Woods, Woods around Loch Morlich, Loch an Eilien, Lossiemouth etc.) where I can find feeders in the woods or somewhere where there is a high probability of seeing Crested Tit then that would be greatly appreciated.

As my wife keeps on telling me "for god sake it is only a bird". But perhaps you can detect my enthusiasm to finally put this challenge to bed.

You don't need any information really from the RSPB. The area around the visitor centre is excellent for Cresties whether the centre is open or not, photographers and birders regularly just putting out food themselves most days. Take a bag of sunflower hearts or even a small feeder and have a bit of patience. Learn the call. There are other feeding stations but an equal chance at all of them. It can depend on weather also how active they are. Some days they are in and out regularly, others you may have to wait an hour or so.