Spent a good weekend in Strathspey. Species count not particularly high, but lots of memorable natural connections along the way. Our base was the Lazy Duck Hostel in Nethy Bridge (above). Highlights there included Coal Tits and Red Squirrel at the feeders, a calling Tawny Owl, and a magical walk through a piece of Caledonian Pine Forest (top) to a Rabbit warren covered in Juniper bushes (complete with calling Greenfinches, singing Willow Warbler and a black Rabbit). An early morning visit to RSPB Loch Garten was rewarded with distant views of a male Capercaillie and the memorable sight of an Osprey brining in the first fish of the day. Later that day, walked from Loch an Eilean to Loch Morlich. Highlights on the journey were a male Teal on Lochan Deo, hundreds of Wood Ant nests, forest bogs (you could almost imagine the Greenshanks of last century), Goldeneye on another forest lochan and great views over to the Kincardine Hills (middle).

Saturday evening was spent in the Badger hide near Boat of Garten. Although the Badgers failed to show, it was lovely to be out in the countryside as dusk fell (with Goldeneye and Wigeon on the Spey as the backdrop).

Managed to sqeeze in a trip to the outskirts of Carrbridge on Sunday morning where the highlights were Greylag Geese, Golden Plovers (in summer plumage) and a singing Skylark.