Had a really good day walking in Strathspey today. The weather forecast had been for heavy rain but light showers were all that materialised and much of the day was dry and mild. The journey north produced a female Goosander on the river east of Forteviot, 50 Common Gulls just south of Dalwhinnie and 30 Black-headed Gulls north of Newtonmore. Also notable were numerous Mallards feeding on rail-side fields, a Kestrel just outside of Kingussie and a pair of Whooper Swans still on the Insh Marshes.
The destination for today's walk was the Kinrara estate. The first birds encountered (at the entrance to Dalraddy Campsite) were Willow Warbler (the first of at least 82 recorded today) and Tree Pipit (the first of 22). Also present were Robin, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Jackdaw and Pheasant. A Cuckoo calling over in the direction of the 'big hoose' was to prove to be the first of four for the day.
The highlight of the day, however, was a Green Woodpecker which began yaffling around 10:45 and was still doing so when we came back from climbing Tor Alvie at 12:45.
Birds encountered on the stretch up to the monument and back included all of the above plus Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Wren plus two singing Redstarts.
The section through the buildings at Kinrara House produced Redpoll, Siskin and two Red Squirrels (as well as more Willow Warblers, Tree Pipits and Chaffinches). A short detour to a loop of the Spey at this point added Sand Martin (visiting nest holes), Buzzard (2), Osprey (2), Greylag Goose, Goosander, Common Sandpiper, another Cuckoo and 30 Woodpigeon (overhead).
The Bogach was beautifully calm with only the light rain breaking the stillness. A possible Water Rail called from the reeds. Other birds present were Mallard (including a female with two ducklings), Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose and Oystercatcher (the last three flying overhead). Woodland birds between there and Lynwilg Cottage included Blackcap, Pied Flycatcher, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and possible Redwing.
The next part of the walk was along what will become the extension to the Speyside Way. Birds along this stretch and along the Spey from there to the outskirts of Aviemore included Greenfinch, Pied Wagtail, Blackcap, Oystercatcher, Woodpigeon, nesting Starlings, Common Sandpiper, Goldeneye, Goosander, Mallard, Swallow and Sand Martin. Another Cuckoo was calling in the direction of Corrour and a family party of seven Treecreepers gave excellent views as they "exploded" from where they had been huddled. A Black-headed Gull was the first encountered for a while and a small party of Long-tailed Tits was the first of three for the day.
Back in Aviemore, new birds for the day included House Sparrow, Collared Dove and Rook. A quick wander round the new path at Myrtlefield gave good views of the Sand Martin colony there. Two cock Pheasants were sparring noisily in a field and the fourth Cuckoo of the day called off in the direction of Pityoulish. Finally, a (presumed pet) Muscovy Duck was in the garden of a house on Dalfaber Road.
Interesting plants today included flowering Violet, Primrose, Wood Anemone, Gorse and a number of tree species.
Heading south, lots of Red Deer were near the rail tracks including a white individual south of Dalwhinnie.