This year we decided to spend Christmas in Findhorn in the Scottish Highlands having spent the last three winters in Norfolk.
Day 1 Speyside
Dawn on day one there could be no other place to start but in the ancient Caledonian forests on Speyside particularly focussing at Abernethy between Loch Garten and Forest Lodge area. Additionally most of the information I had garnered before the trip suggested this could be a good time to try and connect with the Horse of the Forest - Capercaillie.
It was immediately noticeable how quiet the world is in the forest in winter - no cars, no people, no birds. This wasn't a complete surprise as birds often flock up in Winter, and after a mile or so we found a roving titflock. In the flock were at least sixty coal tits as well as a treecreeper and some great tits. Goldcrests also hovered in the canopy. Soon enough a Crested tit announced its presence with a diagnostic trilling call. Always high in the pine tops they were difficult to pick to in the dismal December light.
With some brighter weather on the cards we headed towards Cairngorm to try and connect with Ptarmigan and other peak lovers that may be present. Disappointingly the railway was closed and we were advised not to walk on the paths due to the high winds. Having torn the ligaments in my knee on the coast to coast earlier in the year I knew this advice was to be heeded.
The rest of the day was spent in the forests around Grantown searching for specialist forest birds, and we started to jam in on major crossbill flocks. I had heard beforehand that distinguishing the species in the field is nigh on impossible and now I was in the thick of it I cold see why. The first flock of 30 or so all seemed to be common to me although there were two/three different types of call. Maybe it was just time to try and tune in to these pine specialists. As the afternoon went on I convinced myself that I had seen all three types of crossbill, then common and Scottish, then back to Scottish and parrot and then back to just common. These really are tricky fella's indeed. As the day closed I managed to get a picture of what I considered to be a good candidate for 'not a common', and I would be interested in any opinions...
With the light fading we headed back to Findhorn for a pint (or more) and Shepherds Pie
[COLOR="Indigo"](total time in Capercaillie habitat 5 hours = total Capercaillie 0)[/COLOR]
Day two - Speyside
First light on day two and we start in the forests on the East side of Grantown - more cresties, and more crossbills. We also see our first mammals of the trip in the form as two red squirrels are getting stuck into the feeders at Loch Garten. As the light improves I head to Caringorm to try for ptarmigan only to find the winds are now in excess of 60mph and all walkers are advised not to go above the car park. Frustratingly the weather is too nasty to go up the mountain, but not inclement enough to bring the birds down. I decide to go back and search the forests some more and I am rewarded with some lovely views of Crested tits and yet more crossbills!
Still pleased with the birding I head home for a black pudding and haggis stack with loadsa chips.
(total time in Capercaillie habitat 11 hours = total Capercaillie 0)
Nice crestie photos! I think i can see where you are going with your capercaillie running total.
Your crossbill looks interesting. The angle of the photo may be distorting the bill shape, but the lower mandible does look big and the overall shape of the bill square rather than rectangular. On the other hand the lower mandible also appears to protrude, although this may just be the angle of the photo. On location alone, parrot has to be a strong possibility.