Day Guiding Blog August 2026
August is a quieter month for wildlife sightings, but there is still plenty to be found, both within the Cairngorms National Park and beyond.
One day, I took some guests out within the National Park and along the Moray coast. We started in a moorland area, where we managed to see Mallards and a Red Breasted Merganser with chicks. As there wasn’t much else happening, we moved to a lochside and found Mallards, Goldeneyes, Little Grebes and two Slavonian Grebes with a chick. We later returned to the moorland area, where Red Grouse were seen along the roadside, along with Meadow Pipits and Wheatears, while a Red Kite flew overhead.
From there, we drove to the Moray Coast and visited a beach and an estuary. Grey Seals were basking on the sand, with Greater Black Backed Gulls, Mallards, Greylag Geese, a Canada goose nearby. We also found plants including Common Restharrow.
Further along the coast, we visited an area of rocky shoreline and open sea, where we saw Turnstones, Redshanks, Curlews, a flock of Whimbrels, Gulliemots and Razorbills. As we stopped for lunch, we spotted an Eider Duck, which proved to be the only one of the day and was likely one of only a few present off the coast at this time of year. It was a brown female that drifted around the shore as we had lunch.
An Arctic Skua was seen harassing a Kittiwake for its fish. After a while it gave up the chase, although I couldn’t tell whether the Kittiwake had given up its fish or the Arctic Skua had simply decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
Later, at another estuary, we found Herring Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Oystercatchers, Redshanks and a Grey Heron. We then visited a nearby forest and a set of feeders, where Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Chaffinches were seen, along with a Red Squirrel. We also heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Best of all, there were at least three Crested Tits, which were the star attraction and the species the guests most wanted to see.
Our last stop was a loch, where there were Tree Sparrows, Tufted Ducks, Coots, Mute Swans, Mallards, Little Grebes and a Wigeon. It was a good end to the day and the guests were very happy with what we had found. It was lovely to hear afterwards just how much they had enjoyed their time with me. They had recently reignited their love of wildlife and had booked an extended Day Guide to make the most of their day. I had spoken to them beforehand about the wildlife and plants they particularly hoped to see, which helped me plan where we would go.
They later described it as the “Best day of our holiday”, adding:
“Harris was an absolute delight to spend the day with. He was kind and courteous, his knowledge of the local area and its wildlife and plants is second to none and his enthusiasm is contagious. We learned so much from him and will certainly be requesting him as our guide for future trips!”
During another guided day, I took guests to a valley where we found several Red Deer, including five stags in a field close to the roadside. We also saw two Golden Eagles, which I had never seen in this valley before, as well as a juvenile White Tailed Eagle, Ravens, Buzzards, Kestrels, Meadow Pipits and a Dipper. Another first for me in this valley was a juvenile Whinchat.
We then travelled to another valley, where more Red Deer and Feral Goats were visible in the hills. An adult White Tailed Eagle was also seen flying over a loch.
On a different day, I took visitors to a woodland area where we saw three Red Squirrels, followed by a moorland area where a Mountain Hare was seen briefly. Later, in a valley, we found a White Tailed Eagle, Red Kites and a herd of Feral Goats.
Our final valley produced distant views of Red Deer in the hills, along with a male and female Sika Deer. The male stood still for us and posed nicely. We also saw several Ravens and Kestrels, as well as a Brown Hare.
If you would like to go on one of our Day Guides, visit: http://bit.ly/sw_DG
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