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

Thursday, April 30, 2026

April 2026


April 2026 started with very changeable weather, with low pressure in charge and seemingly no two consecutive days the same, with snow, sleet, hail, rain, wind and sun all featuring,  and with a huge temperature range between dawn and mid afternoon, it often felt like we were experiencing four seasons in one day! Thankfully, high pressure was more dominant in the second half of the month, and although we had a few cold mornings and the odd showery day, the overall feel was much more settled, sunny and spring-like.

The days really are lengthening nicely now though, with around 14 hours of usable daylight, but dawn (for the Black Grouse lek) is now a slightly less sociable 5:30 am, so if this species is on your 'wish-list', be prepared for an early start...

Although many of the winter visiting birds had departed by mid-month, the ever increasing influx of summer migrant birds north into this area, assisted by the southerly winds, helped bird species day-lists creep ever higher, and 50+ species would not be uncommon on a full day (8hours+) local safari, or considerably more if you include a visit to the nearby Moray coast, whilst full day mammal species day-lists can creep up towards double figures, with early starts usually providing best results for the shyer ones.

The dawn chorus is at it's best in April, and it is always great to have your early start rewarded by getting to enjoy hearing the resident birds being joined by the newly arrived migrants like Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Tree Pipit.

Add to this the first brave butterflies and bees on the wing, the  explosion (eventually) of spring flowers into full bloom and frogs and toads on the move, and the feelgood factor of this time of year is hard to beat...


I always think that wintertime (and I do consider early April more as late winter, than early spring here) gives some of the best opportunities for scenic landscape photography in this area, and I felt very priviledged to enjoy some beautiful vistas again this month, so I have scattered a few of my photos around this report...


A typical April scene in the Cairngorms National Park


To give you an idea of what you may realistically hope to see if you are considering a future April visit, I hope the following more detailed information, illustrated with photos taken at sites in and around the Cairngorms National Park, and sometimes further afield, by myself, my friends or my safari clients this month and in previous April's will help....clicking on the picture enlarges it to full-screen. 


All photographs of wildlife, especially Schedule 1 and other protected or vulnerable bird species shown on this website were taken by myself, my safari clients or friends (thanks all :) 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..




Local speciality/upland bird species seen regularly during the month included:

Black Grouse (at, or soon after dawn only), OspreyRed GrouseRing OuzelSlavonian GrebeRed-Throated Diver, Black-Throated DiverGoosander and Dipper, with a  couple of decent sightings of Golden Eagle and White-Tailed Eagle early in the month... and just a few brief glimpses of Crested Tit and Crossbill......

Snow Buntings were seen at low level sites (2'000ft) early in the month, and after a fresh fall of snow, but seemed to retreat high up to the mountain tops when the snow line receded...where Ptarmigan can also sometimes be seen...

Winter visiting birds were represented early in the month by a few remaining family groups of Whooper Swans, flocks of Greylag and Pink-Footed Geese, wildfowl such as Wigeon and Teal, and a few lingering  BramblingsRedwings and Fieldfares , but most had departed by mid-month...

Summer migrant birds flooded in throughout the month, with the first sightings this year of Osprey, Wheatear, Common SandpiperSand MartinHouse Martin,  SwallowWillow WarblerChiffchaff,  BlackcapTree Pipit, Redstart and Cuckoo,  to name just a few...

A good variety of seabirdswaders, wildfowl , Divers and Geese can be enjoyed at the Moray Coast and the nearby inland lochs...





Mammal species seen regularly included:


Red Deer, Roe Deer, Rabbit, Brown Hare, Red Squirrel, and Feral Mountain Goat, whilst Mountain Hare became much trickier as they morphed into their spring coat..and both types of Seal were seen at the nearby Moray coast...





 April 2026 bird sightings in more detail:



On the lochs..


A picturesque local loch


One of my most eagerly-awaited wildlife moments every year, is the return of our local Ospreys to their nesting sites, and these impressive birds of prey are always popular with my safari clients, with their dashing good looks, large size, aerial acrobatics and spectacular plunge diving to catch fish. Many of our local pairs were reunited by mid-month after a winter apart in West Africa, and were soon seen building up their nests with sticks, chasing off intruders and mating frequently, and by the very end of the month some of the hen birds appeared to be incubating eggs as the cock birds began to perform all of the fishing duties, whilst the females presumably carried out brooding duties.


Ospreys by Callum Martin


A pair of Ospreys


Osprey


Osprey



Now the local lochs are (finally) no longer in danger of freezing over, some of our highly prized local speciality water birds are back on their summer breeding territories, and we managed to see some of the most attractive and rare examples regularly this month - namely Slavonian (Horned) GrebeRed-Throated Diver and Black-Throated Diver, all in their splendid summer plumage.


Slavonian (Horned) Grebes


Slavonian (Horned) Grebe


Red Throated Diver


Red Throated Diver


Black Throated Diver


Black Throated Diver



A few lingering Whooper Swans were seen early in the month....


Whooper Swans



Also on the lochs (and rivers), we must not forget our breeding Goldeneye population , with Highland Scotland the only place in the UK where they breed, and we were fortunate enough to see them regularly this month, with many of the dapper males still performing their unique and spectacular 'head-banging' mating display!




Goldeneyes




Displaying male Goldeneye by Ron Mitchell - Photo from April 2019






Goosanders can often be seen on our local lochs too....


Female Goosander


Male Goosander



The edges of the local  lochs can be good for seeing wader species such as Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Redshank.....


Oystercatchers


Common Sandpiper


Common Redshank




Up on the moors....


A local upland moorland

April is definitely THE month to see Black Grouse, and dawn (now around 5:30am) visits to local Black Grouse leks usually delight and amaze my safari clients with as many as 7 blue-black cock birds seen 'performing' in spectacularly aggressive fashion, their incredible  bubbling and whooshing sounds drifting across the moor, and late in the month, we are sometimes lucky to witness the hen birds walking among them, watching the action, and presumably 'rating' the contestants, only around 20% of whom will 'get lucky',  and previously we  have even been lucky enough to see them mating with their chosen partner - a truly fantastic wildlife spectacle and a great way to start the day! 


Black Grouse lekking at dawn on a frosty moorland


Lekking Black Grouse


Lekking Black Grouse


Female Black Grouse surrounded by potential mates - Photo from April 2019


Please be aware that Black Grouse lek sites are very rare and precious and can easily be ruined by selfish behaviour,  disturbance and encroachment - we have lost 2 previously well-established sites locally due to poor human behaviour in recent years - And I was shocked to arrive at one site at dawn in mid- April in 2024  - where we view safely from several hundred metres away - to find a 'photographer' literally standing on the lekking area, having spooked the birds away!! Unbelievable!!  I took photos of the 'intruder; and his vehicle, and reported the incident to the Police Wildlife Crime Officers, and they dealt with the culprit.... but  this type of  incident can easily ruin the lek, and can prevent breeding taking place , as the females only visit the lek for mating for a few days each spring.....so please bear this in mind and keep a sensible, respectful (and legal!) distance away....


Our local moorlands continued to echo with the characteristic cackling calls of the cock Red Grouse, many of whom were seen still actively displaying from raised positions, with red 'eyebrows' aglow, presumably 'guarding' their territory and nesting female,  and from mid-month I saw very few hen birds, suggesting that many may already be incubating eggs.....


Male Red Grouse


Male Red Grouse



With more potential food available now, in the form of small birds such as Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Stonechat etc,  moorlands can also produce decent bird of prey sightings in spring and summer, and this month we managed to see - in order of size  -  KestrelSparrowhawkCommon Buzzard, and Red Kite, though similarly to last year, a Merlin sighting has still evaded me so far....



Merlin - Photo from April 2019




Up in the glens:


A picturesque local U-shaped glacial valley

Up in the local glens, it is worth noting that bird of prey sightings usually become less frequent during the longer days of spring and early summer, with many of the female birds nesting and many more hours of daylight available for hunting meaning that our chances are reduced. However, we still managed reasonably regular sightings of Osprey, Common BuzzardRed Kite, Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, and also a few views of GoshawkGolden Eagle and White-Tailed Eagle...



Kestrel - Photo from April 2021


Common Buzzard


Goshawk by Steve Nicklin - Photo from April 2019


Red Kite


Golden Eagle


White Tailed Eagle by Bob Smith - Photo from April 2021



In the Caledonian pine forests...


A local Caledonian Pine Forest


In the Caledonian forests, Crested Tit sightings became much more difficult to obtain this month, with one or two birds seen using forest feeding stations on the colder mornings early in the month, but generally they were pretty elusive, seemingly quietly going about their business breeding.....and I should point out that you really need to be familiar with their 'chuckling trill' of a song to have a realistic chance of seeing them... but I usually plan a short Caledonian forest walk in order to give us a chance...


Crested Tit by Steve Saunders


Crested Tit by Steve Saunders



As I have mentioned previously, it is well worth noting that the colder winter months (October-Feb), when they regularly visit feeding stations,  are actually the best time of year for seeing the 'wee Cresties', as these characterful little birds can be frustratingly secretive, unobtrusive and almost silent during the breeding season, with sightings being much more difficult to obtain between March and September....




Continuing the forest theme,  Crossbill sightings weere typically tricky this month , and most of them were of the typical and rather annoying fly-over variety, however,  we also had a couple of better views, and (unusually!) early in the month,  we even managed a few photos, when birds perched obligingly for a few seconds!


Male Crossbill


Female Crossbill



Capercaillie

As is usual, sadly, we failed to manage any sightings of Capercaillie this month, though to be honest, we did not try for them or visit any known sites, and these days I tend to keep any random sightings a bit hush-hush, for obvious reasons.....



Please note that Capercaillie numbers would still appear to be alarmingly low, they are now very rare and elusive, possibly on the brink of extinction, and I would only rate our chances of seeing one on my safaris  as "very slim" at best, and we are now requested not to go in search of them, or even entering Caledonian forests before 09:30am, for fear of disturbing them.....and please be aware that Police Scotland  and the Cairngorms National Park Authority Rangers patrol 'known' Capercaillie areas for the first few hours of light throughout the spring/summer in an attempt to dissuade anyone from entering the forest and potentially disturbing the birds during lekking/breeding season.....with prosecution an option if you fail to heed their 'advice'....you have been warned....

https://cairngormscapercaillie.scot/lek-it-be/




On the marshes:


Early spring at Insh Marshes

Although most of the winter visiting birds have now departed, a few lingering Whooper Swans and 'Grey' Geese could still be seen, and the numbers of waders such as SnipeCurlewOystercatcherRedshank and Lapwing increased steadily throughout the month.....though raptors were seen less frequently than during the winter months with just the occasional sighting reported.....


Snipe



On the rivers...


A small local river


It was noticeable that there were increased occurrences of male Dippers seemingly delivering food and additional nest material to the now well hidden female birds at their nest sites , usually underneath bridges or under high , overhanging banks...and we also witnessed a few instances of rival males having territorial disputes....


Dipper



Dipper with food





We also saw Goosanders , Goldeneyes and Grey wagtails reasonably frequently on local rivers this month....and the first Common Sandpipers have now returned too......


Female Goosander


Common Sandpiper


Grey Wagtail



Up in the mountains....


A snowy early April scene in the Cairngorm Mountains


I didn't manage a walk up to the tops this month,  though a few of my friends did, but sadly,  they failed to produce any sightings of Ptarmigan, despite much searching. Other birders were more fortunate though, with a few reported, but they are definitely less abundant, or maybe more difficult to find these days....




Visits to the ski centre car park when the snow returned down to lower levels, gave us some decent views of a few lingering Snow Buntingsbut they seemed to retreat high up to the mountain tops as the snow line receded.... 


Snow Buntings


Snow Buntings


Snow Bunting by Callum Martin


Male Snow Bunting




At slightly lower levels ( but still generally at 1,500ft/450m +) newly-arrived Ring Ouzels - sometimes called the Blackbird's mountain dwelling cousin -  always prove to be popular with my safari clients, presumably because not many will have seen them locally, as they tend to breed only in remote upland areas well away from human disturbance, and can be quite tricky to find. We are fortunate in having plenty of suitable habitat for them in this area though, and we are often able to get decent views and sometimes photographs of newly-arrived male and female birds .....


Ring Ouzel


Ring Ouzel


Male Ring Ouzel



On local farmland...


Typical local grazing farmland


Wader numbers increased throughout the month, with OystercatcherLapwingCurlew and Golden Plover all noted, and a visible influx of passerine birds such as Meadow Pipit and Skylark , ready for breeding season...and a few lingering winter thrushes were also seen....alongside the resident Pheasants and Red Legged Partridges....



Mistle Thrush


Red Legged Partridges


Oystercatcher


Lapwing



In local gardens/At local feeding stations:


My garden on the outskirts of Aviemore


Although our garden is not quite as 'busy' as it was in the winter, as well as the expected selection of thrushes, sparrows,  tits and finches,  a few locals reported lingering Bramblings, and newly-arrived Blackcaps coming to their feeders...


House Sparrow


Male Blackbird


Blue Tit


Siskins


Collared Dove


Wood Pigeon

Feeding stations, and the large numbers of birds that visit them, inevitably, also attract the attention of Sparrowhawks, and we had several sightings of these impressive and very attractive birds of prey this month...


Female Sparrowhawk


A few photos of more common birds seen locally this month:


Common Gulls


Greylag Geese


Meadow Pipit


Song Thrush


Little Grebe


A newly-arrived Wheatear


Male Chaffinch


Male Stonechat


Willow Warbler 


Starling




Other good/scarce birds seen/reported locally this month included:

A Hawfinch near Nethybridge on the 4th, 15 Waxwings near Coylumbridge between the 7th and 11th, 2 Black Tailed Godwits at Lochindorb, 2 Pintail at Insh Marshes, and a Merlin at Avielochan , all on the 9th, a Nuthatch near Insh on the 10th, a Wood Warbler in Insh woods on the 13th, a Shoveler at Insh marshes on the 15th, a Parrot Crossbill in Abernethy Forest on the 16th, a Rough Legged Buzzard on Dava Moor on the 18th, a Slavonian Grebe at Loch Garten on the 18th, a Nuthatch at Tulloch on the 20th, Blue Headed Wagtails near carrbridge on the 22nd and 24th, 2 early Swifts over Kingussie on the 22nd, 2 Common Cranes over Craggan on the 23rd, a Garden Warbler at Loch Insh on the 24th, early Whinchats in Badenoch from the 24th, a Greenshank at Loch insh on the 27th, and the first Pied Flycatcher at Craigellachie birch wood on the 29th....



Adventures 'out of area' 


Spey Bay on the Moray Coast


The Moray coast is only about an hour drive north of Aviemore, and trips to favourite reserves, lochs, bays and harbours gave good views of lingering wintering birds such as Greylag Geese,  Pink-Footed GeeseWhooper SwanShovelerWigeonTeal Pintail,  Black-Tailed GodwitBar-Tailed GodwitKnot, Golden Plover , Grey Plover Ringed PloverPurple Sandpiper, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Curlew,  Common ScoterVelvet Scoter Long-Tailed Ducks, Eiders, Divers, and Slavonian Grebe, with the chance of  rare/scarce birds such as American WigeonGreen-Winged Teal,  Tree Sparrow , Grey Partridgeand rare gulls.....



Female Long Tailed Duck


Male Long Tailed Duck


Male Eider


Red Throated Diver (seen through fog) still in winter plumage


Rock Pipit


Whilst on and around our sea cliffs and stacks, nesting birds included: Fulmar, Kittiwake, Gannet, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, and we also saw a few of the less common Black Guillemots....


Sea cliffs at the Moray Coast


Gannets


Razorbills


Common Guillemots and Razorbills


Black Guillemots


Shags


Kittiwake by Steve Nicklin - Photo from April 2022



Whilst the Moray Coast farmland and hedgerows also give you a chance of seeing birds such as Whooper Swan, 'grey' GeeseSkylarkLinnet, YellowhammerReed Bunting, CurlewGrey Partridge, and Tree Sparrow.....


Moray Coast farmland and hedgerow



Curlew



Yellowhammer


Tree Sparrows



The freshwater lochs and nature reserves just inland from the Moray Coast can be productive too....


Loch Spynie - Just inland from the Moray Coast



Teal


Wigeon


Tufted Ducks


Little Grebe



April 2026 mammal sightings in more detail:


Seeing a Red Squirrel is always a treat, especially for those who don't have them locally - sadly, most UK residents - but we have good numbers here, and we were fortunate enough to see them regularly this month, sometimes at forest feeding stations, and sometimes running around or climbing trees..


Red Squirrel by Callum Martin


Red Squirrel


Red Squirrel



Red Deer  always prove popular with my safari clients. Being an iconic animal of the Scottish Highlands, the 'Monarch of the Glen' is on most visitors 'wish-lists', and we usually manage to see them regularly in large same-sex herds in upland glens this month, though views are usually quite distant.  Many of the stags have now lost their old fully-grown antlers, and look a little less impressive while they are growing a new set...


Red Deer


Red Deer Stags - Photo from April 2016



Despite most of them now sporting their mottled white and blue-grey spring outfits, Mountain Hares usually seem to be the one to beat in our 'mammal of the day' awards in April - if we get to see them - far from guaranteed-  as they certainly become tricky to find among the mottled white and blue-grey rocks of their upland homes!!


Mountain Hare


It should be noted though, although we sometimes get lucky with a chance close encounter, that most of our views are at range through my telescope, and that a closer view or photographic opportunity usually involves some considerable amount of rough uphill walking, sometimes on snow, yes, even in April!




Feral Mountain Goats  too are only found in a few remote upland areas of the UK, and we are sometimes fortunate enough to have good views of these wild looking, multi-coloured creatures, with the fast-growing youngsters now almost as big as the adults...


Feral Mountain Goats


Roe Deer however, are common and numerous over most of the UK, but due to their nervous nature and crepuscular habits, they are rarely seen well unless you are out and about early or late, or in a really quiet place, well away from human disturbance..


Roe Deer



As spring tends to arrive a little later this far north, where Brown Hares are concerned, we tend to get 'Mad April Hares' rather than 'Mad March Hares'' , and that proved to be the case this month, with lots of frisky behaviour being witnessed.


Brown Hare


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....


Our favourite ginger Hairy Highland Coo's - Hamish and Dougal - are proving to be very popular with my safari clients....


Carrot time for Hamish and Dougal


Hamish and Dougal




Marine mammals:


The nearby Moray coast , Black Isle and Aberdeenshire Coast are pretty reliable for sightings of Seals, with a decent chance of Harbour Porpoise and Dolphins, and even a slim chance of Whales....


Bottlenose Dolphin at the Moray Coast


Grey Seal



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 over 20 years of providing wildlife safaris should give you an idea of how difficult they are to see.





Other wildlife:


Some of the warmer, sunnier days  saw a few brave pioneering butterflies - Small TortoiseshellPeacockComma , Orange Tip and Small White - on the wing, joining the increasing numbers of bees,  the first activity this year was noted in the Wood Ant colonies, and a few Bats were seen hawking insects over water at dusk.


Wood Ants nest



Frogs and Toads too, were seen frequently.....


Common Toad



News:

I am very pleased to announce that Highland Wildlife & Birdwatch Safaris has been awarded - for the fourth consecutive year -  a Travelers 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 advised, 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 financial recovery years, so a big THANK YOU to you all :)



We are currently using a 2019 Land Rover Discovery5 HSE LUX 7-seater, and this has, along with excellent off-road and all-weather ability.  Heated/cooled front and rear seats, and all the usual luxuries such as rear-seat entertainment DVD screens, a panoramic sunroof, and height-adjustable air suspension, and it is also more spacious and 'greener' than my previous versions with  (ULEZ compliant) ultra-low emissions and improved fuel economy....


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


Highland Wildlife Park



Positive prescriptions | The RSPB


www.scotlandbigpicture.com


https://cairngorms.co.uk/documents/fire-management-byelaw-owner-guidance



A nice reflection on a local loch



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 although COVID-19 no longer appears to be a serious problem, we usually have very little interaction with other people anyway, and this is something that I intend to continue.



Winter turning to spring in the Cairngorm Mountains



Summary:


I apologise for repeating myself, as I seem to say this at this time every year, but It is only when I have time to sit down and compile my monthly wildlife sightings blog and look back through my notes and the photos that I and my safari clients have taken during the month that I really become aware of what a great time we have had, appreciate how fortunate I am to live and work here,  and see how successful our safaris have been.... and after the 'drought' months of few safari bookings, it would appear that aided by the very helpful (generally) good weather,  April 2026 turned out to be a pretty busy, really excellent and very enjoyable month for wildlife watching in and around the Cairngorms National Park. With the returning summer visiting birds flooding northwards to join our local speciality resident species and a few lingering winter visiting birds, the uplifting dawn chorus, the days lengthening, flowers (finally!) blooming, the huge variety of unique and stunning habitats and scenery and the weather improving, I can honestly say that I would not want to be anywhere else in the world than here in the majestic Scottish Highlands at this time of year, and it was especially nice this month to be able to show it all off, and spend time with lots of my valued regulars, and also a number of new safari clients from all round the world, who were visiting this area for the first time.......happy days!!


A ruined 13th century castle on a remote moorland loch



Reviews:

I know a lot of visitors to this area very wisely check out reviews of attractions/experiences at TripAdvisor before 'taking the plunge' and making a booking - We now have well over 400 reviews online, so if you wish, you can check out our clients comments at the link below....



https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186537-d3335134-Reviews-

Highland_Wildlife_Birdwatch_Safaris-Aviemore_Aviemore_and_the_Cairngorms_Scottish.htm



A typical April scene in the Cairngorms National Park



Gift Certificates:


Safari gift voucher

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 for a whole year from date of purchase........






No comments: