Highland Wildlife and Birdwatch Safaris, Guided wildlife excursions, Aviemore, Scotland
Highland Wildlife and Birdwatch Safaris, Guided wildlife excursions, Aviemore, Scotland Highland Wildlife and Birdwatch Safaris, Guided wildlife excursions, Aviemore, Scotland

Sunday, October 14, 2007


October in the Cairngorms National Park sees the true arrival of Autumn. The days shorten, temperatures drop , the trees take on their glorious golds, coppers, russets and reds and the influx of Winter visitors gathers pace.
October highlights include:


The arrival of Whooper Swans on our local lochs, their large size, mainly yellow bills , straighter necks and bugling calls making them easy to identify.


The Red Deer rut reaching it's climax - the older, larger, stronger stags attempting to secure a harem of up to 20 hinds with aggressive displays of roaring, tree-thrashing and ground -raking and occasional actual antler to antler combat - an awesome wildlife experience! (see pic)


Our first sightings of incoming winter thrushes, the Redwings are first to arrive, their thin 'seep -seep' calls betraying their presence whilst flying, accompanied by 'continental' Mistle Thrushes & Blackbirds, the Fieldfares usually being the last to arrive.


The Male Red Grouse on the moors appear to be much more aggressive & vocal, perhaps already trying to establish territories in preparation for breeding season?
The 18th October gave me a great close-up view of a Barn Owl hunting over a local marsh. Using the car as a hide, I parked up and it actually landed on a roadside fence-post less than 20 feet away - a marvellous sight!
The Mountain Hares are beginning to get their White Winter coats, from their feet upwards.