Highlights of the train journey to Badenoch and Strathspey this morning included a flock of 200 Pink-footed Geese still in Strathallan and a Red-legged Partridge near Dowally. Black-headed and Common Gulls were at numerous points along the route but Oystercatchers were scarce and Lapwings completely absent (or at least not as visible as in previous weeks). Mammals seen on route consisted of Rabbit, Brown Hare, lots of Roe Deer and a small group of Red Deer.

Took a walk around Kingussie while waiting for the bus to Kincraig. A Willow Warbler singing along the main street was followed by another five at Glebe Ponds. Among the water birds there were a single Moorhen and a female Mallard with 12 young. Black-headed Gulls (perhaps the bird of the day due to their presence at so many sites) were here, on the marsh at the cemetery and on the pond at Lynchat (with four Greylag Geese).

The area around the bridge over the Spey at Kincraig held a Common Sandpiper, four Swallows, two of the Watersports Centre’s Domestic Mallards, a pair of Goldeneye and a Grey Heron. Nearby, a singing Blackcap was the only one of the day. The walk from there to Feshiebridge produced a Buzzard, a Great-spotted Woodpecker, several singing Willow Warblers, the first singing Redstart of the day, several Siskins and a Red Squirrel.

Birds encountered on the walk between Feshiebridge and Drumguish (via Ballintean and Corarnstilbeg) were mostly fairly predictable with lots of Chaffinches, Willow Warblers, Wrens, Robins etc. However a male and female Wheatear at the footbridge near Baileguish (with a Skylark singing nearby) were a welcome change (I see very few of them during my wanderings in the area). Also, a Cuckoo calling just west of Feshiebridge was my first local bird of the year. Meadow Pipits were widespread, mostly in small numbers although at least 20 were together on rough grassland near the road to Tolvah. Another Buzzard, another singing Redstart and some tree-nesting Starlings added variety. Notable by their absence were Pied Wagtails, so common last month but not encountered at all today.

Great-spotted Woodpecker and a singing Greenfinch were the most notable birds in the Drumguish area. Tromie Bridge was (again) quiet. Birds In the RSPB Insh Marshes area included a cruising Osprey (the third sighting of this species for the day) mobbed by a Raven, lots of displaying Redshanks, a few Wigeon and a passing Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow hybrid. A Water Rail called from the usual site east of Ruthven Barracks.

Heading back south, two Red-legged Partridges just before Newtonmore Golf Course and a probable Greenshank between there and Dalwhinnie were the highlights.