An analysis of the birdtrack data from Monday's Badenoch and Strathspey walk produced the following:

Day total: 33 bird species:

Greylag Goose

At least 21 in a flock alighting on Loch Alvie (with more present but out of sight).

Mute Swan

A presumed pair feeding, washing and preening in close proximity on the Bogach.

Mallard

A pair flying together and at least five others on the water at the Bogach.

Goldeneye

Breeding-plumaged male and female together on the Spey under the iron bridge at the start of the Logger’s Road path. Flew away with characteristic whirring wing noise. Seven more at the Bogach including a presumed pair swimming and diving together and a party of five birds (possibly unpaired) also swimming and diving together. At least three also on loch Alvie.

Goosander

A male and two females (all in breeding plumage) swimming and fishing together on the Spey south of Lynwilg.

Woodpigeon

Two singing in south Aviemore. One seen south of Lynwilg and singles singing at the Bogach and near Ballinluig. One heading west over fields south of Aviemore at 16:00.

Black-headed Gull

At least twenty (probably many more) flying west (with at least ten Herring Gulls) over south Aviemore late in the day (16:30), presumably heading to roost on Loch Insh.

Common Gull

One heading west over fields south of Aviemore at 16:00.

Herring Gull

At least ten (probably many more) flying west (with at least twenty Black-headed Gulls) over south Aviemore late in the day (16:30), presumably heading to roost on Loch Insh.

Kestrel

One dashing over trees and farmland (rough sheep grazing) near Kinakyle in the morning.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

One drumming in Scots Pine stand south of Lynwilg. Another drumming near the Bogach and assumed to be this species as Green Woodpecker (which is also present here) does not tend to drum very much. One flying from one patch of trees to another south of Loch Alvie.

Oystercatcher

A pair flying together, low over Grampian Road calling loudly at 16:45. One calling near Loch Alvie earlier in the day.

Woodcock

One flushed from the undergrowth near the Bogach. It rose with a clatter to chest height then flew away fast through the trees, making two Snipe-like grunting “chip”s as it went. It appeared chestnut-coloured and large.

Buzzard

Two soaring and mewing excitedly together over woodland close to the Bogach. A bird heard calling from the top of Tor Alvie earlier in the day may have been one of this pair.

Jackdaw

3-4 pairs foraging on grass in front of hotel in the morning. Later, around 100 in a flock with Rooks, wheeling over Grampian Road and congregating on hotel roof before presumably going to roost (16:45). Previously, at least 30 (probably more) heading south west (to roost?) over south Aviemore about 16:30. Ten over the woods near the Bogach and two near Ballinluig.

Rook

In the morning, two pairs picking up beakfuls of moss and grass from the lawn in front of the hotel. Others flying around the rookery with much calling. One pair over a sheep field south of Aviemore. Later, around 40 in a flock with Jackdaws, wheeling over Grampian Road before presumably going to roost (16:45).

Carrion Crow

One heading west over fields south of Aviemore at 16:00.

Coal Tit

Three in path-side trees south of Aviemore. Four more (three singing) south of Lynwilg. Two (both singing) near the Bogach and four (none singing) near Ballinluig. Three with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie and another singing nearby. Two (one singing) in the western part of the Kinrara estate. Day total: 19 including seven singing.

Blue Tit

Four in path-side trees south of Aviemore. Eleven more (two singing) south of Lynwilg. Three of these were foraging and moving through path-side trees as a group. One at the Bogach and eight (four singing) between Ballinluig and Tor Alvie. Three with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie. One singing near fields south of Aviemore at 16:00. Day total: 31 including seven singing.

Great Tit

Four (one singing) in path-side trees south of Aviemore. Eight more (but none singing) south of Lynwilg. Two more (neither singing) at the Bogach. Three on the north side of Tor Alvie including one singing and a pair scolding me as I passed. Seven (two singing) in the western part of the Kinrara estate. One singing south of Loch Alvie. Day total: 25 including four singing.

Long-tailed Tit

Four south of Lynwilg including a pair foraging/moving together and calling (phritt, phritt). Two more at the Bogach and three with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie.

Goldcrest

Two with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie.

Wren

One in the western part of the Kinrara Estate and one singing near the Bogach.

Mistle Thrush

One singing in the distance, both in the morning and the afternoon, south Of Lynwilg. Two foraging in a sheep grazing field nearby before flying up and away together.

Blackbird

A male feeding under path-side bushes south of Lynwilg and making the characteristic rustling sound among the dry leaves.

Robin

One singing in Aviemore. Three (including singing birds) in south Aviemore. Seven more (most singing) south of Lynwilg and the same number (again most in song) on the north side of Tor Alvie.

House Sparrow

A few chirruping behind flats on Grampian Road.

Bullfinch

One (the only one of the day) calling in open woodland near the base of Tor Alvie.

Greenfinch

One singing in treetops south of Aviemore. Another singing in woodland on the north side of Tor Alvie.

Chaffinch

One singing in Aviemore. Eight singles in south Aviemore including six in song. Nineteen more (seven singing) south of Lynwilg. Two of these birds (possibly a pair) were flying together over the treetops. Five (two singing) on the slopes of Tor Alvie.

Goldfinch

Two calling in treetops south of Lynwilg (not encountered very often in the course of the walk).

Lesser Redpoll

Thee with a mixed tit flock near the Duke of Gordon Monument on Tor Alvie.

Siskin

A single calling south of Aviemore and another calling south of Lynwilg.  Five (including two pairs) on the way up to Tor Alvie and two more overhead on the way down.

Mole

Fresh molehills on ground close to the Spey south of Lynwilg

Sheep

Being grazed on (poor looking) pasture fields and in sparse Birch woodland over grass.

Juniper

Making up a large proportion of the under-story (beneath Scots Pine, Aspen and Birch) on Tor Alvie.

Great Woodrush

Fresh green leaves showing well in the mostly brown woodland floor by the Spey near the Old Bridge Hotel.

Blaeberry and Bog Myrtle

Both showing what appears to be fresh green growth.

Cowberry

Surprisingly many plants still bearing last year’s red fruit.

Foxglove

Numerous rosettes of leaves among boulders on the southern approach to Aviemore.  The plant is a biennial. In the first year, only a leaf rosette is formed. The flower spike only develops in the second year.

Impressions of Badenoch and Strathspey in March:

High pressure resulting in a sunny day with blue skies and wonderful views of the snow on the high tops (but a stiff westerly wind making it feel cold).

Even on a sunny day, shadows noticeably lengthen from about 15:00.

Some birds are singing (fewer than in the Glasgow area) but most are contact calling, scolding, chasing or just quietly foraging).

The landscape is pedominantly green (conifers), brown and straw-coloured.

Few people are about in the countryside - just the odd cyclist or walker.