The action has kept going at Speyside Wildlife’s Evening Wildlife Watching Hide. The Pine Martens have been coming in regularly, at this time of year there is less food in their territories, and they regularly visit, sitting on the platform feeding on the bait laid out for them. They've amazed the guests at every turn with their agility and sleekness.
The male and female have come, though they've not come together for the last week or two. One night the female was frightened into the canopy by something and guests reported a second pair of eyes shine in the canopy which may well belong to the male. Whatever interaction they had up there, looked ambiguous from the bottom.
The Badgers have been coming in every night as well. All eleven of them at times and they feed together quite happily, though there is conflict from time to time. When they have a minor argument it's usually restricted to soft snarls and biting each other. However, when they really mean business that changes to a loud chattering, like a pair of squirrels arguing and then they start wrestling one another. The most severe fight I've witnessed recently is when one Badger pushed another off the feeding area and chased it along the path at the bottom of the hill.
There have been Wood Mouse sightings too and after the evening has finished, I've shown people Jupiter and its moons through the scope. Mars has also been visible as well as constellations like Auriga (the Charioteer), Perseus, Lyra (depicting the stringed instrument) with its alpha star Vega, Cynus the Swan which is famous for its black hole Cygnus X1 and my favourite constellation Delphinus, depicting a Dolphin.
If you would like your chance at seeing our nocturnal visitors head to our website and book your place today.