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Natural Connections

Modern life in Scotland is increasingly busy. The connections our ancestors had with nature and the land are being lost. As leisure time shrinks, or is filled with hi-tech experiences, opportunities to experience nature become fewer. And yet it is possible to connect with nature on a day to day basis. All around us, the great web of life continues to hold its shape, and nature continues its eternal cycles. Keep looking, listening, smelling, touching - and keep experiencing natural connections.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The good weather that had been forecast for today was too good to miss, so hurried arrangements were made for a day’s walking in Strathspey.
The train journey north was notable for returning Oystercatchers at several sites from Balinluig northwards. The climb up to Drumochter is usually good for raptors and today was no exception, a Buzzard lumbering over with what looked like a snake (an Adder would be the only possibility) dangling from its talons. Further north again, a Red Grouse was flushed near Dalwhinnie and pairs of Lapwings started to appear, especially between Newtonmore and Kingussie. Small parties of Whooper Swans were also present in that area. Today's starting point was Carrbridge, which allowed some extra sites to be checked from the train, albeit briefly. These included Loch nan Carriagean (which held two Goldeneye) and Lochan Ban (two Tufted Ducks).
The walk west from Carrbridge  was characterised, as was the whole day, by the song of two species: Coal Tit and Chaffinch (with Robin, Wren and Dunnock also chipping in). Slightly less usual species included Pied Wagtail, Mistle Thrush (one bird seen carrying nest material) and Starling. Two sizeable flocks of Woodpigeons were feeding on a cattle field and a Great-spotted Woodpecker was drumming from a stand of conifers. Nearby, the first of four Crested Tits for the day was seen. Viewing the scene from an elevated position allowed fantastic views of a Roe buck and doe carefully crossing the river.
A detour to the Sluggain Bridge produced another Pied Wagtail, more Mistle Thrushes, two Oystercatchers, a Redpoll, a Buzzard and two displaying Kestrels. Heading into the conifer plantations, the commoner songbirds continued to dominate. However a Raven croaked high overhead and both Crested Tit and Goldcrest were heard and seen briefly. Meanwhile, eleven Red Deer fed quietly in the vegetation under a line of pylons.
Descending to the A9, and then the A95 produced some other species including two Mallards on a roadside lochan. Boat of Garten Woods produced another Great-spotted Woodpecker and the only crossbill sp of the day (a single bird flying over). Loch nan Carriagean held only six Mallards but a Grey Wagtail flew over nearby.
Granish landfill site had its usual complement of gulls and corvids. Numbers were difficult to estimate but at least 300 Jackdaws were present with a smaller number of Rooks and relatively few Carrion Crows.  Gulls were dominated by Herring Gull with small numbers of Common Gull, a single Great Black-backed Gull but interestingly no Lesser Black-backed or Black-headed Gulls. Granish Farm held two pairs of Oystercatchers and dozens of Rabbits. Other regular sites also producing Rabbits today were the area around Kingussie and the lawn in front of the “Four Seasons” Hotel.
Heading into Aviemore, the usual village birds started to appear. More notable however were 16 Collared Doves in a single tree next to the war memorial and the only Greenfinches and Siskins of the day.
Heading south at the end of the day, the scattered Whooper Swans on the Insh Marshes were accompanied by small groups of Greylag Geese. However the best sighting of the journey, and indeed of the whole day, was a Golden Eagle seen soaring and “skydiving” over one of the hills along the River Garry.  
The species list for the day is still to be worked out, but the route taken is shown here.

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