September 2023
September 2023 could probably be best described as a bit changeable weather-wise in this area, with a succession of Atlantic lows bringing regular rain and breezy conditions, but with the the days in between them often quite calm and sunny , meaning that my full range of safari clothing was deployed this month!
Temperatures ranged considerably, with 18c reached on a few of the sunnier days, but it is noticeably cooler at dawn and dusk now though, and it actually felt quite chilly on some of the wetter and windier days, and the first frosts of the autumn were experienced early in the morning on a few occasions....
The days are shortening noticeably now though, with only around 12 hours (7am-7pm) of usable daylight , but by way of consolation, the heather is still a lovely purple in places, many trees are full of colourful berries, and some of the leaves and ferns are now morphing into their attractive autumnal hues.....
With just about all the summer visiting bird species gone by mid-month, and the first of the winter visiting bird species only just arriving in the second half of the month, full-day (6-7 hours) local safari bird lists dropped down to their lowest levels of the year (in the 30's), though this could be upped considerably by a trip to the nearby Moray coast, whilst mammal day lists varied between 3 and 7 species, depending on the time of our start and the number of different habitats visited, with early starts usually proving to be more fruitful...
After 5 busy months of 'peak-season' safaris, I took some time off mid-month to visit relatives, chill-out and 're-charge my batteries' so my report will be a little shorter than usual this time.....
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| Early autumn at the source of the River Spey |
To give you an idea of what you may realistically hope to see if you are considering a future September 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 this month and in previous September's will help....clicking on the picture enlarges it to full-screen.
Local speciality/upland bird species seen regularly during the month included:
Mammal species seen regularly included:
Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Reindeer, Roe Deer, Mountain Goat and Rabbit......with just a couple of glimpses of Brown Hare ... it should be noted that Mountain Hares are still really tricky to see in September, but should become a little easier as they begin to morph into their white coats in the weeks to come...
All photographs of wildlife, especially Schedule 1 and other protected bird species were taken legally at long range with powerful zoom lenses, or from my vehicle on public roads, well away from nest sites, and no disturbance was caused to any wildlife....
September 2023 bird sightings in more detail:
Up in the glens...
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| A local upland glen |
Golden Eagles are more commonly seen on my safaris during the shorter days of late autumn and winter, when they have less hours of daylight in which to hunt, and all of the family are actively flying - it takes several months from hatching before the young can fly competently - but we actually had a reasonable 'strike-rate' on my safaris this month, with a favourite upland glen giving us decent sightings on a number of occasions, and more importantly lots of my clients a much sought-after 'life-tick' of an iconic Highland speciality....and although we only saw one White-Tailed Eagle this month, I would expect some more sightings of them next month as the Atlantic Salmon should start to spawn in the shallow upper reaches of our rivers soon..
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| Golden Eagle |
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| Golden Eagle |
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| White-Tailed Eagle by Rob Ellett- Photo from September 2020 |
In fact, raptors in general were noticeably more active than in the spring and summer months, with us also regularly seeing Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Common Buzzard and Red Kite , often in family groups, and on the 22nd of the month I got my only my second view this year of a Merlin!
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| Kestrel by Freddie Oxley - Photo from September 2020 |
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| Common Buzzard by Ron Mitchell |
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| Red Kite by Freddie Oxley - Photo from September 2020 |
On the lochs...
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| A picturesque local loch |
A few of our local juvenile Ospreys lingered around their now redundant nest sites and local lochs and rivers for the first week of the month, giving us our last chance to admire these attractive and impressive raptors and their fishing skills, though it should be noted that seeing them was a bit 'hit and miss'....and sadly, we won't see them any more now, until they return in the spring. It always amazes me to think that these young birds will attempt to undertake a 5,000 odd mile migration to west Africa alone and unassisted by their parents at the tender age of just 3 months!!
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| Osprey |
It was a similar story with our local Red-Throated Divers and Black-Throated Divers - though they only 'migrate' to the coast of the UK - with us only seeing them inland very early in the month....
The last week of the month, saw us get our first views this autumn of 'incoming' migrants though, in the form of Whooper Swans, and Pink-Footed Geese.....
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| Newly-arrived Whooper Swans |
Goldeneyes were seen regularly though, occasionally in large family groups, .though it should be noted that the males are still in their brown-grey 'eclipse' plumage which is very similar to that of the females and youngsters...so you will have to wait a while to enjoy them in their dapper breeding plumage...
Up on the moors....
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| A local upland heather moorland |
Red Grouse were seen regularly on our local upland moors, mostly still in family groups, and they continued to entertain my safari clients with their often very confiding nature (as long as you stay in your vehicle) ...
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| Female Red Grouse |
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| Young Red Grouse |
Most of the birds of prey that we see in the glens, can sometimes be seen hunting over the moors too, as well as the occasional more typical moorland raptor species like Merlin, Hen Harrier and Short-Eared Owl.
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| Merlin |
As I mentioned earlier, we had a surprise middle of the day sighting of two 'displaying' Black Grouse on the 22nd of this month, and my records for previous years suggest that we may have more chance at dawn in the months to come as the frosts often inspire them to appear...
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| Unseasonal displaying Black Grouse! |
In the Caledonian forests...
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| Ancient Caledonian Forest |
Crested Tit is always high on my safari clients 'wish-lists', with it being a UK rarity and Speyside speciality, and it should be noted that they can be a difficult bird to see in spring and summer, but although they are now mainly to be found in mixed flocks roaming around the Caledonian pine forests, and can be tricky to pick out, it can sometimes be possible to get a few decent views of them at feeding stations, especially soon after first light on the colder mornings in the latter part of the month...and they should become a little more reliable in the coming weeks...
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| Crested Tit |
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| Crested Tit by Freddie Oxley - Photo from September 2020 |
Still in the forests, despite my best efforts, Crossbills sightings were usually of the rather frustrating 'fly-over' variety, with them only being identified by their characteristic 'jip' 'jip' calls as they flew overhead between different parts of the forests...
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| Crossbills by Russel Lee - Photo from September 2021 |
On the marshes...
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| Early autumn at Insh Marshes |
Increasing numbers of incoming winter migrants - Whooper Swans, and 'grey' geese were noted from mid-month.
Raptors were well represented too, with Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Red Kite, Goshawk, Golden Eagle, and White-Tailed Eagle all reported at Insh Marshes this month.....
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| Marsh Harrier by Ron Mitchell |
On the rivers...
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| The River Findhorn |
As is usual at this time of year, Dipper sightings were still a little 'random' this month, as the birds seemed to range wide and far, but later in the month we witnessed some more 'territorial' behaviour (loud singing and aggressive posturing) near to some of their favourite nesting bridges....
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| Dipper |
We occasionally saw large families of Goosanders on local rivers too, though it should be noted that they are usually very nervous and often fly off when they notice us...
Up in the mountains....
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| The Cairngorm Mountains |
With the Cairngorm Funicular railway still out of action for remedial work, I didn't venture up into the mountains this month, and I didn't read any reports of local sightings of mountain species.....
On farmland....
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| Local farmland |
From mid-month, large flocks of incoming winter migrants such as Mistle Thrushes, Whooper Swans , Greylag Geese and Pink-Footed Geese were seen feeding on local farmland....
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| Mistle Thrush |
Other good/scarce birds seen/reported locally this month included:
Several Red-Breasted Mergansers on local lochs (rare inland here) early in the month, 3 late Ring Ouzels at Gaick on the 2nd, a Mandarin Duck at Loch Garten on the 3rd, a very late Swift at Insh Marshes on the 20th, a Ruff at Insh Marshes on the 28th, and a probable Hen Harrier x Pallid Harrier hybrid was seen at Insh marshes on and off throughout the month....
A few photos of more common birds seen locally this month:
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Mute Swans |
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| Grey Heron |
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| Male Pheasant |
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| Male Stonechat by Steve Nicklin |
Adventures 'out of area':
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| Spey Bay on the Moray Coast |
The nearby Moray Coast is always worth a visit, especially in autumn and winter, and a visit early in the month gave a good selection of auks, waders, wildfowl, seaducks, geese ,swans, gulls , a few lingering terns, and one or two Skuas
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| Waders and gulls at Spey Bay |
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| Canada Geese |
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| Red-Breasted Merganser |
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| Arctic Skua and Common Tern by Steve Nicklin |
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| Curlew by Steve Nicklin |
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| Common Tern by Steve Nicklin |
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| Sandwich Tern by Steve Nicklin |
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| Common Guillemot by Steve Nicklin |
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| Razorbill by Steve Nicklin |
September 2023 mammal sightings in more detail:
With inland bird sightings 'slowing down' a little, mammal sightings always become more important at this time of year, and we are lucky to have such a good selection to go for in this area....
Despite stiff competition from 'Murdo', and the Red Deer, (see below), the 'mammal of the day' award was still often won by the cute and ever popular Red Squirrel - with many of my safari clients seeing these very characterful and attractive 'Highland speciality' animals for the first time, usually at feeding stations, but occasionally on walks/drives through forests too...
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| Red Squirrel |
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| Red Squirrel |
Although there is often little indication of it approaching, the end of September , and the first frosts, usually sees the start of the Red Deer rut, with the previously quite sociable stags beginning to 'check-out' and assemble their 'harems' of 'in season' hinds, sharpen up the tips of their antlers on rocks and trees, and partake in a little light 'sparring' with likely rivals, often accompanied by a tremendous 'roaring', which echoes round the glens... a marvelously atmospheric spectacle, which is sure to increase in intensity next month...
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| Red Deer Stags - Photo from September 2022 |
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| Red Deer Stag |
Still up in the glens, our Mountain Hares, though still in their browny-grey summer coats, are about to turn 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 outside of the winter months..
Our local Feral Mountain Goats too , proved to be a bit elusive their month, with only a couple of long-distance views achieved....
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| Feral Mountain Goats |
Brown Hares were seen occasionally, and as usual, most of our sightings were early in the morning, and in poor light, with the exception of one very obliging example seen basking in the autumn sunshine.....
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| Brown Hare by Ron Mitchell |
Although not as physically impressive as their larger Red cousins, and having a much more nervous disposition, Roe Deer are probably more often described as cute - like Bambi even, but they always prove popular with my safari clients, and we were fortunate enough to see them on several occasions this month, especially soon after dawn, or in remote, quiet areas...
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| Roe Deer - Photo from September 2018 |
Hairy Highland Coo's always prove to be popular with my safari clients, especially those who do not have them close to home, so don't be afraid to ask me if you fancy going to see them, and maybe even get to feed and 'pat' them, as I have a couple of great sites....
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| Carrot time for Murdo! |
Marine mammals:
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| Basking Shark fin by Steve Nicklin |
Rare/nocturnal mammals:
I get a few enquiries about the possibility of seeing Badgers and Pine Marten from my safari clients, many of whom I suspect are unaware that they are actually a largely nocturnal creature, and although we do get the occasional (maybe one or two a year) dawn glimpse of one, you would definitely have a much higher chance of seeing them at a specific dusk Badger/Pine Marten watching hide - Please contact me for more information.
Similarly, our inland Otters too are mainly active during the hours of darkness, and again, although we do get a few early-morning sightings on local lochs and rivers each year, looking for them feeding in a suitably quiet, kelp - filled bay on the coast on a rising tide, but at any time of day, would give you a much better chance.
Whilst we are still on the 'tricky to see stuff', the Scottish Wildcat too, as well as being incredibly rare now, is also generally nocturnal, and the fact that I have had a mere handful of (dawn or dusk) sightings in 17 years of providing wildlife safaris should give you an idea of how difficult they are to see.
Other wildlife:
A few lingering butterflies were seen on the warmer, calmer days, and a few daytime-flying bats were seen too.....
Autumn is fungus time , and a good selection was seen in the local woodlands...
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| Fly Agaric |
News:
I am very pleased to announce that Highland Wildlife & Birdwatch Safaris has recently been awarded - for the second consecutive year - a Travellers Choice accreditation from Trip Advisor, for being ranked in the top 10% of visitor attractions worldwide based on customer reviews and feedback.
This achievement would not have been possible without the support of all my family, friends, safari clients, social media followers, regular blog readers , the Visit Scotland 'mystery shoppers', and everyone else who has helped and encouraged me along the way to ‘living my dream’ of being a wildlife safari guide, since 2004, especially over the last few very difficult COVID affected years, so a big THANK YOU to you all :)
All tourism/hospitality/activities in Scotland are open , are free of restrictions and I have now completed two years of (thankfully!) increasingly busy and extremely enjoyable safaris with clients with no major issues arising.
With all national travel restrictions lifted too, Scotland is officially 'open for business' for visitors from all over the UK, and from abroad, and already this year, I have enjoyed meeting my first ever clients from Chile, and Singapore....
For those considering a visit, these wildlife/outdoor tourism websites may prove useful:
June - September is midge season - But thankfully, this area is not usually affected too badly - This link explains why:
Bumper midge hatch alert after warm spell - BBC News
https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid
NatureScot (outdooraccess-scotland.scot)
Can Nature Help Health? | Nature Prescriptions - YouTube
Scotland, Yours to Enjoy. Responsibly. - YouTube
Cairngorms National Park Authority
Positive prescriptions | The RSPB
COVID-19
The Scottish Highlands, being very sparsely populated, has had very few COVID-19 cases in comparison to most of the UK, and on my safaris we tend to visit remote , wild habitats well away from the more popular tourist areas, and usually have very little interaction with other people, and this is something that I intend to continue.
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| A misty dawn at a local loch |
Summary:
Being a bit of an 'in between month', with a limited number of bird species possible inland , in all honesty it's probably not the best month for the hard-core birder, year-lister or 'twitcher' to visit, but September in the Cairngorms National Park would still appear to have plenty to offer the more casual or beginner nature-watcher or those looking for a less intense or 'taster' Highland wildlife safari experience, with the chance of a migrating 'rarity' turning up, a better likelihood of seeing birds of prey and Crested Tit than in the spring and summer, less tourists around to cause disturbance, and no early starts needed, in arguably, one of the most colourfully scenic months of the year...and similarly to last year, I will admit to being pleasantly surprised at how well we did for sightings, maybe September is actually 'growing on me' .....
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| The Flying Scotsman visited Speyside this month - Photo by Ron Mitchell |
Reviews:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186537-d3335134-Reviews-
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| Nice morning light in a local birch wood |
Gift Certificates:
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| Safari gift voucher |
