Deeside Nature Activities

Wildlife News from Upper Deeside

 2010

April 2010

With the roads and more importantly the lay-byes becoming clear of snow and ice there was greater enthusiasm for getting out and chasing that illusive wildlife.

On Safari, the Red Deer have begun to shed their antlers as the new ones are growing through and the Roe are well on the way to finishing the growth of their new set of rutting gear. Both species seem to be a little behind the normal time scle of things and one can only guess it is down to the late snows of March holding things back. The Buzzards are well in to their displays and the Glen Muick Trrecreepers were buisy re lining their old nest in the barn, oblivious of my transfixed clients watching on.

The latest safari of the month was a bit of a gem with all the target species cropping up in the right places and performing well, including the Black Cock displaying in good numbers on a couple of Lecks, Snipe drumming and Crossbills showing themselves of in the early spring sunshine, Whilst Ptarmigan and Ring Ouzel, though allways hoped and looked for, are far from garanteed! These two species put in an appearance to boost one of my oldest and most regular clients' list for her trip!

Despite the cold, the garden birds began to sing and Robin, Blackbird and Chaffinch have been buisy nest building, the Robin making use of my open fronted nest box. Initial observations have also shown Great and Blue tits in a couple of other boxes and one looks forward to the arrival of some of the other spring hole nesters return. 

March Update

  With the worrst winter on record for nearly 50 years, the large quantities of snow limited the oportunities for safaris and guided walks in the early part of the year.

Fortunatley working at Glen Shee ski resort helps to keep the wolf from the door and great opportunities to refresh my sking skills and get some exercise too, Golden Eagle, Ptargigan and Snow Bunting helped to keep the birding interrest going!

 Wildlife watching was restricted but the quantities of snow gave addvantages in terms of tracking movements and in some cases helped to show certain species activities up to a greater extent.

Otter tracks showed up along most sections of the Dee, proving their presence but not making them any easier to see!! Their activities were also indicated by the remains of a Salmon tail in the field below the house, in close proximity to their regular sprainting spot!

Red and Roe deer have been visiting the woods behind the house and the harsh conditions brought in many species of bird to the feeders including Mr and Mrs Great Spotted Woodpecker and George & Mildred, the pair of Red Legged Partridge who are doing a great job at clearing up any of the spilt bird food.

November 2009

November may seem like a month when wildlife starts to be less visible, however despite the autumn storms we have been seeing big numbers of members of the thrush family migrating through the area having crossed the North Sea from Scandinavia. Fieldfare and Redwing have been the most noticeable, moving through in flocks of 100's at a time.  The Rowan bushes with their heavy burden of berries have taken their fancy and there are a couple of pictures I managed to get by staking out one of the trees with a hide (available to view in the gallery). The action moved on as quickly as it started with the tree near my house cleared of berries in only three days.

Highlight of this month so far however, was the sightings of OTTER and WILDCAT whilst out on separate Safaris. The latter was a lucky sighting, right place - right time. The otter was as a result of deliberate searchingthe right location paying dividends, although watching the creature for 20 minutes at 10.30 in the morning did come as a bit of a surprise! 

The Red Squirrels have been very active recently, collecting and cacheing peanuts from the feeders ready for the winter ahead. The changing weather has brought in more birds to the feeders including Brambling, another Scandinavian visitor, similar to a Chaffinch but much more colourful.  

Here are some fantastic wildlife photographs as a taster, now published in a new gallery page together with many more, why not check them out soon.

 Highlights in September included Golden Eagles interacting with their young on the wing, Tens of thousands of thrushes migrating in from the continent Redwing, Fieldfare and Blackbird. The Red Deer Rut in full swing, with the roar of the stags echoing across the glens and the crash of antlers as they come to blows over the rights of the females!