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Writer's pictureSpeyside Wildlife

June in the Cairngorms

It has been the “fourth hottest June ever experienced in Scotland. (BBC NEWS)” with temperate of thirty-two degrees on the last week on June and extremely dry ground. Living in Scotland, we are not used to such long periods of warm weather and keeping topped up with sun cream while out bird watching has been tricky. Some animals struggling, have been searching for shade and waiting for the long evenings to cool down.

Roe and Fawn (KM)


Half way through the month, midsummer or the Summer Solstice gave us the longest day with a spectacular sunset and bright skies at midnight. Although this means nights will begin getting darker, evenings are still prolonged with a long dusk period which is perfect for watching animals such as Deer, Owls and other nocturnal animals feeding in the cooler temperate. Roe deer having been seen roaming the long grass and bracken for what is left of the fresh green food, often with sightings of baby fawns as they follow mum closely or curled up beside paths.

Great Tit fledgling waiting for food (KM)


Mallard ducklings (KM)


June also became much quieter going out for a walk as the early morning bird chorus deteriorated and the birds were busy with raising their young. The trees and gardens however are now full of tweets and fluttering wings of chicks. Common garden birds visiting feeders, Willow Warblers and Spotted flycatchers busy taking food to nests and ducks with their young exploring their surroundings. Two Mallard families decided to take up residence in my garden pond for most of June, with nine ducklings big and small catching seeds fallen from the bird feeders. For a week I was trapped in one space to save disturbing them as they sunbathed outside my front door.

Lochan Mor on a hot day, with abundance of water lilies (KM)


Can this weather really last during July as well? Follow this blog to find out what happens next month.

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