I woke up today and the sun is shining and the birds are singing, even the Long Tailed Duck we can see from the kitchen window are pairing up and it feels like spring is coming. Well its an aeon since we last updated; what with workshops, tours and research into our Spring programme it has been non-stop. We have our new and exciting Black Grouse workshop which has received good interest and we have even started the plans for next winter – watch this space.
Winter in the highlands is fabulous. Harsh, but fabulous. We have managed to all but one of our groups onto one of the true specialities of the region and one of my absolute favourite species – the Ptarmigan.
Winter white Ptarmigan are always worth the climb!
In the Strath our Crested Tit feeding station has delighted guests all winter and the addition of a few props has lightened the atmosphere even on the darkest winter days!
The snow makes for a busy feeding station
We have been working with Chris Sharratt and visiting his amazing Mountain Hare site. Feildcraft is one of the biggest things we help our clients improve and all have gone away with a truly memorable Hare raising experience (sorry!).
Spending time with these is one of the highlights of a day in the hills
In relict forests special creatures roam and one the highlights of the winter was an encounter with the horse of the forest – the Gaelic for Capercaillie. These incredible creatures are severely declining so to be able to see this impressive male on good form will live in the memory forever. Please visit saving the Capercaillie
Capercaillie in snow storm
The harsh weather brought unusual visitors out of their normal secretive habitats
A completely chance find - well done Jim!
I am sure we will be back in the groove of posting more often soon, and with our new blog you can now leave a comment too!
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