Though the days are certainly shortening now, we still had around 10 hours (7am-5pm approx) of usable daylight, and the Highland scenery is still ablaze with glorious autumn colours, with most of the leaves still clinging on, and many of our berry trees still fully laden.
The autumn rains have restored the local rivers to their normal levels, allowing the Atlantic salmon to finally reach their spawning grounds in the upper reaches.
October is a really great month to witness visible migration in action, with large flocks of Geese, Swans, and Thrush species often witnessed flying noisily overhead, and this influx of winter visitors from colder areas further north, helped full-day safari bird lists increase up into the 40's, (or more if you include a trip to the Moray Coast), whilst mammal day-lists varied between 3 and 7 depending on the start time and number of venues visited, with early starts, as usual, proving to be best.
To give you an idea of what you may realistically hope to see if you are planning a future October visit, I hope the following more detailed information, illustrated with photos taken at sites in and around the Cairngorms National Park by myself, my friends or my safari clients, will help....clicking on the picture enlarges it to full-screen.
Wildlife highlights included:
Local speciality bird species seen regularly during the month included:
Crested Tit, Red Grouse, and Dipper, we also had several good sightings of Golden Eagle, a few fleeting glimpses of Crossbills, and some decent dawn views of displaying Black Grouse.
Newly-arrived winter visiting birds were represented by Whooper Swans, several species of 'grey' Geese, and good numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares.
A good variety of waders and wildfowl were seen at the Moray Coast, and a few Waxwings were seen locally at the end of the month...
Mammal species seen regularly included: Red Squirrel, Red Deer (rutting), Reindeer, Roe Deer, Mountain Goat , Brown Hare and Rabbit......with just a few sightings of Mountain Hare and one close encounter with a Wood Mouse.....The last week of the month also saw us enjoy great views of Atlantic Salmon starting to spawn in the upper reaches of our local rivers....
Crested Tit, Red Grouse, and Dipper, we also had several good sightings of Golden Eagle, a few fleeting glimpses of Crossbills, and some decent dawn views of displaying Black Grouse.
Newly-arrived winter visiting birds were represented by Whooper Swans, several species of 'grey' Geese, and good numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares.
A good variety of waders and wildfowl were seen at the Moray Coast, and a few Waxwings were seen locally at the end of the month...
Mammal species seen regularly included: Red Squirrel, Red Deer (rutting), Reindeer, Roe Deer, Mountain Goat , Brown Hare and Rabbit......with just a few sightings of Mountain Hare and one close encounter with a Wood Mouse.....The last week of the month also saw us enjoy great views of Atlantic Salmon starting to spawn in the upper reaches of our local rivers....
October 2019 bird sightings in more detail:
Crested Tit by Wayne Biddlecombe |
A bonus by-product of regular winter feeding is sometimes (on colder days) being able to feed the incredibly confiding Coal Tits and (sometimes) Great Tits by hand, an experience much enjoyed by my safari clients of all ages...
Still in the forests, Crossbills, sadly, but not unusually, were somewhat less obliging however, with our views once again being restricted to snatched glimpses of birds flying overhead...identified only by their distinctive 'jip- jip' calls....
Whilst Capercaillie sadly, were conspicuous by their absence again, despite a number of walks and drives through areas of Caledonian forest where we had been lucky in the past...
Red Grouse |
On the heather moorlands, Red Grouse, still largely in their family groups were much more obliging, and we saw them well on many occasions, often at quite close range...
Black Grouse |
Dipper with small fish |
Young Golden Eagle |
Red Kite |
Kestrel |
Pale morph Common Buzzard by Steve Nicklin |
In fact, if you are a bird of prey fan, it is worth noting that early winter is usually our best time of year for raptor sightings, and this month we also recorded views of Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, and numerous Common Buzzards...
Fieldfare |
Redwing |
Waxwings |
The view from Cairngorm Mountain summit |
Other good birds seen or reported locally this month included:
Golden Pheasant by Steve Nicklin |
A few late Swallows early in the month, Golden Pheasant, Lady Amherst's Pheasant, and a Great Grey Shrike and an American Wigeon late in the month...
Scaup by Steve Nicklin |
Pink-Footed Geese |
Whooper Swans |
Autumn in the Abernethy Forest |
October 2019 mammal sightings in more detail:
Red Deer stag |
Red Deer stag with his harem of hinds |
Feral Mountain Goats |
Feral Mountain Goats are mainly restricted to a few remote upland areas of the UK, and we are fortunate to have them locally in a few quiet glens, so many of my safari clients get to see them for the first time while out with me....
Still up in the glens, our local Mountain Hares - Britain's only native lagomorph - though still mainly in their browny-grey summer coats are gradually turning whiter from their feet upwards as autumn progresses, in preparation for the snow to come, though actual sightings of them were not as frequent, or as good as I would have liked... but that is not unusual during the 'milder' months..things should hopefully improve next month....
Red Squirrel by Steve Nicklin |
Roe Deer |
Brown Hare |
Wood Mouse |
Spawning Atlantic Salmon |
Summary:
Well, despite the often 'changeable' weather, and aided by the beautiful autumn colours, the influx of birds from further north and the Red Deer rut, I reckon October 2019 turned out to be a very good month for wildlife-watching in this area, with a good selection of local specialitiy birds and animals (and fish!) seen, lots of fun had, lots of hot chocolate and shortbread enjoyed, and lots of safari clients from all round the world going home with happy memories of their visit to the Cairngorms National park...
A misty morning at a local loch |
I know a lot of visitors to this area very wisely check out reviews of attractions at tripadvisor before 'taking the plunge' and booking - if you wish, you can check out my clients comments at the link below....
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186537-d3335134-Reviews-
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186537-d3335134-Reviews-
Highland_Wildlife_Birdwatch_Safaris-Aviemore_Aviemore_and_the_Cairngorms_Scottish.html
A 13th century castle on a local moorland loch |
If you think you know someone who may enjoy a taste of what I do, why not treat them to a safari gift certificate. They make a thoughtful and imaginative present, are available for any amount and are valid at any time within a year from date of purchase....