WELCOME TO THE SPEYSIDE WILDLIFE BLOG

It has been a month of early sunsets, woodland walks and time at home this November in the Cairngorms as winter creeps up on us. It has however been surprisingly mild with only a couple of frosty mornings and snow on the high tops. The last of the autumn leaves have clung onto the birch trees and with the low winter sun, there have been lovely colours of burnt orange across our landscapes. Insh Marshes at sunset (Kate M) Anagach walk with Red Squirrel (Kate M) A walk in early

A month of rain, wind, sunshine and plenty of wildlife, Autumn has been in full swing this month in the Cairngorms National Park. After quite a dry season, the storms rolled in over October bringing plenty of rain to the area along with vibrant colours and fungi galore. With the arrival of heavy rain, our waterfalls were looking spectacular and small streams turned into torrents of peaty water coming from our mountain tops. Flooded stream and rain dropped leaf Common Puffball

Dark nights are upon us and as the Autumn turns to Winter the feeding and movement of the mammals will begin to change. The wildlife hide has still had plenty of activity over the last fortnight. Common Pipistrelle bats flying overhead, taking shelter under the tree canopy and Tawny Owls hooting from nearby trees, sometimes just out of sight of the lights. Wood Mouse with its snack (Kate M) The smallest mammal, the Wood Mouse has been keeping guests entertained with their spe

This is a unique time of year when we see the movement of birds on migration. The new season arrives, and we start to spot some interesting birds arrive or pass by the British Isles. Long summer days with singing breeding birds is replaced by wild weather and cold winds that bring in a variety of winter visitors that we can look out for. Here we explore some of the species found in the Cairngorms or surrounding areas and what makes them fantastic winter visitors to look out f

Days that start off cool and frosty warming during the day, showers of rain and leaves beginning to fall, it must be September in the Cairngorms. After the vibrant purples of August, the grassy heathlands, bracken and trees are turning rusty orange. The frosty nights have covered areas in dew, making spider webs on heather very visible on a morning walk in the area. Bird migration begins making for some interesting days out in the field and autumn storms are on the way. Dew c

We are heading into the Autumn months now at the wildlife hide. Nights are cooling and the outside lighting is becoming essential as we reach the end of September. Visitors continue to enjoy the sights that the hide has to offer, not forgetting the charismatic Wood Mice and Tawny Owls being heard from nearby woods. The Badger clan continue to be the highlight of any visit, watching the interactions between the family, the cubs continuing to grow and noticing a change in feedi

Frosty Autumn morning (Kate M) October has been a month of change. From the change in the seasonal weather, to the behaviours and movements of the wildlife in the national park. The overnight frosts play a part in shocking trees and shrubs to start their Autumn transformation. With the first frost in September the colours began to show and by mid-October the countryside was popping. The Silver Birch, Aspen, Bracken and Larch trees have been showing their vibrant colours for a

The season is coming to and end now, with the night’s drawing in and clocks changing at the weekend. After a warm Summer, the Autumn colours in the area haven’t been as vibrant as they can usually be but still filled the countryside with a mix of orange/ yellow tones that are pleasing to the eye. The Wildlife certainly haven’t slowed down yet, with Autumn being the most important feeding season for the mammals. Pine Martens and Badgers are both part of the mustelid family of

October has seen the Cairngorms filled with sunshine and showers, Autumn colours and a change in our wildlife. The Summer visitors have all gone and there has been migrators in abundance arriving from colder climates. Redwing (RSPB) Fieldfare Gathering (KateM) Some of these Winter visitors are the Fieldfare and Redwing from the thrush family. Fieldfare are similar size to a Mistle Thrush but have a more distinctive grey head and rump, which shows well when in flight along wit

Although Summer is at an end, some days have had warmth in the air with a mix of light showers and sunny spells. Autumn colours began to appear as well as some impressive looking fungi in the woodlands nearby. Fly Agaric in the woodland The Autumn preparations have begun for our hibernating animals and for the Badgers and Pine Martens at the Wildlife hide. This year’s wild fruit crops such as blaeberry, cherry and rowan berries have been in abundance making it the perfect die