Friday 31st March 2005 (continued).

Kept on through the Pass of Ryvoan to Ryvoan Bothy (below), then up on to the flank of Meall a' Bhuachaille. Again amazed by the plant communities there. Low down, the vegetation was dominated by Heather and grasses (with calling Red Grouse and displaying Meadow Pipits). Higher up it changed to a rich carpet of (I guess) mosses (? Rhacomitrium), lichens (? Reindeer Moss), a woody plant (? Dwarf Willow) and a small, succulent-leaved plant (? Thyme; ?stonecrop sp). I wish I had paid more attention in my Botany classes!
Over the hill (wild weather on top, but also glorious views of the Cairngorms, the path to Braemar (snaking over the moorland), the Forest of Abernethy to the East and Loch Morlich to the West) and back down to Glenmore Lodge (with Chaffinches, Greenfinches, possible Crossbill and Goldcrest, Wren (probably the commonest bird), Great, Blue and Coal Tit (but no Cresties) and Song Thrush).
Driving from site to site, saw occasional Roe Deer, Hare and Rabbit (very occasional), but plenty of Pheasants. In the evening, visited RSPB Insh Marshes (see picture above). Birds included Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Redshank, Curlew and Oystecatcher (with a Roe deer feeding quietly on the dry ground between the channels).