Bird Watching & Wildlife

The Highlands of Scotland were once covered by a vast and ancient Pine forest, which the Romans called Caledonia.

Today the Great Wood survives, but only as scattered remains of haunting beauty still harbouring many of its original wild species, these hallowed places endure as great monuments to the past and form a priceless part of Scotland's heritage.

We are privileged to have five RSPB reserves within easy driving distance of Grantown on Spey. We can boast two within the districts of Badenoch and Strathspey, the other three are on the Moray coast and on the shores of Loch Ness.

Abernethy Forest, Loch Garten

Loch Garten is famous for the Ospreys.

Although, with luck you will see other Ospreys fishing on the Spey or in some of the Lochs, and they are certainly not averse to the odd "stolen" item from the local fish farms. The RSPB have set up an excellent facility at Loch Garten. Excellent views of the nest, and live video pictures are relayed back to the hide where experienced staff are on hand to answer questions.

The walk from the car park to the centre takes you through Caledonian pine forest. You may see Crested Tits, Scottish Crossbills and Red Squirrels but in these woods you will hear, and hopefully see Capercaillie. The big black male, the size of a turkey, can't help but impress.

With careful observation, it is also possible to watch Pine Marten, Roe deer and Red deer although the Red deer tend to stay high up in the mountains, only coming down into the woods when forced by severe weather and shortage of food.

For those wanting to see a Golden Eagle a walk up Cairngorm or Glen Feshie should satisfy this, you should see also Buzzards, Ptarmigan, Dotterel and Snow Bunting.

Insh Marshes

This is the second RSPB reserve within the area of Badenoch and Strathspey.

Situated between Kincraig and Kingussie, the Insh Marshes are the most important area of floodplain wetland in Britain. Large numbers of wetland birds breed and spend winter here. In the Spring and summer the area is a great place for those interested in plants and insects such as orchids, 26 different Sedges and Scotch Argus Butterfly.

Nearly 1,000 pairs of wading birds breed on the marshes including Curlews, Lapwings, Snipes, Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Wood Sandpipers. Other breeding birds include Goldeneyes, Pintails, Wigeons, Teals, Water Rails, Spotted Crakes, Sedge Warblers and Grasshopper Warblers.

In winter up to 200 Whooper Swans from Iceland are present. The marshes are also an important wintering ground for other wildfowl with over 1,500 present at times.

Otters are also common on the Spey as are different kinds of aquatic invertebrates.

Truly the area offers something to all, and at any time of the year.