I saw very few birds on the journey up to Aviemore this morning - partly because the windows of the bus were dirty and hard to see through. Nevertheless I had the distinct impression that there were fewer small gulls and Oystercatchers than there were two weeks ago. The first Common Gulls I saw were not until just before Bruar, while the first Black-headeds were on the marsh at Lynchatt. In contrast to last time, there WERE some Common Gulls on the higher ground around the Dromochter pass - a few on river shingles just before Dalwhinnie. Both species were to prove to be very numerous in the Cromdale area but more of that later. A quick stop off in Aviemore only provided confirmation that there is still at least one pair of Oystercatchers near the Macdonald Resort. 

Grantown-on-Spey was full of the sounds of the typical Highland village birds with Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Song Thrush and Greenfinch all in song,  House Sparrows chirrupping and Black-headed Gull, Oystercatcher and Buzzard calling overhead. Birds in the grounds of Castle Grant consisted mainly of Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Siskin and Wren. However a wander off the main track allowed me to find Jay and Roe Deer. Poorhouse Wood had similar birds but I also heard Crested Tit at two sites.

The River Spey below Anagach Woods is intensely fished and therefore I assume is heavily keepered. I was therefore not expecting to see many river birds and initially that was the case. However the best birds were actually just beyond the Anglers' Clubhouse - a lovely pair of Goosander, at least two pairs of Goldeneye and a single Grey Wagtail. Other birds along the river included Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit and increasing numbers of Oystercatcher. These were either probing in sheep pasture or flying up and downriver in noisy squadrons.

Four more Goldeneye and a Grey Wagtail were near the bridge at Cromdale Church (where the patch of Winter Aconite I regularly visit is now nearly completely 'gone over'). Approaching the village, the ploughed fields on the left and right of the road held small numbers of Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull (following the previous species around in the hope of snatching a food item), Lawing (two pairs displaying) and Curlew. Jackdaws appeared in increasing numbers, and up ahead I could hear the sound of an occupied rookery.

Other village birds in Cromdale included Greenfinch, Collared Dove, and House Sparrow. Heading out again at 18:20 to walk some of the Speyside Way towards Advie, I spotted a Rabbit being chased away by the sheep it was sharing a field with. However the main species was definitely Oystercatcher with noisy groups constantly in the air and several flocks on sheep pasture including one of 125 birds. That particular flock was spread out over the field (at Pollowick Farm), presumably to feed. However another group (of 53) near the Shinty pitch and one later (of 43) on the grassy banks of the Spey may have been gathering to roost. The same field at Pollowick Farm held well over 100 Common Gulls and over thirty Black-headed Gulls, again possibly preparing to roost. A Dipper was on the Cromdale Burn (where one of two nest boxes seemed to be occupied) and farmyard birds included Collared Dove, Greenfinch and Song Thrush. However the best experience of the day was watching a partially-flooded field at Starindeye Farm which had attracted a pair of Redshank (including a displaying male), pairs or small groups of Lawing, Oystercatcher and Curlew, three pairs of Teal, a Snipe and a Pied Wagtail. The final part of the walk was back along the bank of the Spey to check an old farmstead for Barn Owl. None were found but two Roe Deer and three Brown Hares were just about visible in the fading light.