Posts for August, 2024

A look at the sites of some of the old, abandoned crofts above Tulloch in the Abernethy Forest with Jill Harden, RSPB archaeologist

Guided Bat Walk with Abernethy rangers

Meet our guest speaker Richard Thaxton at the RSPB’s Loch Ruthven to look for some of our returning summer breeding birds. We will meet in the car park and walk along to the hide, stopping and scanning along the way. Possible sightings include Slavonian and Little Grebes, possibly Red and Black-throated Divers, Teal, Curlew and fishing Osprey as well as Swallows, Swift and Sand Martins. Looking up you may spot a passing Osprey, Eagle or Red Kite. Limited to 15 guests. Pre-booking is essential, please ring 01479872526 to book your place. Meet at RSPB Loch Ruthven car park by 10am (directions available from Reception Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey).

Meet our local wildlife guide Richard Thaxton at Strathdearn (Findhorn Valley) to look for some of the raptors and other wildlife that can be found there. Potential sightings include raptors such as Buzzard, Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Hen Harrier, Kestrel, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Raven and Red Kite, Crossbills, Dipper, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Heron, Pied and Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Mistle and Song Thrush, Mountain and Brown Hare, Grey and Red-legged Partridge, Common Gulls, Red Deer, Wild Goats, Red Grouse, Red Squirrel, Redpoll and Spotted Flycatcher, Ring Ouzel, Common Sandpiper, Swallows, House Martins, Oystercatcher, Common Tern Curlew, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Cuckoo, Redstart, Blackcap and Wheatear. Limited to 15 guests. Pre-booking is essential, please ring 01479872526 to book your place. Meet at the car park at the end of the road (not by the bridge) by 2pm.

Meet our wildlife guide Richard Thaxton at the beautiful Lochindorb to look for some of our local wildlife. We will meet at the northern end of the loch and move along the loch stopping when we can to scan for wildlife. Potential sightings include Black-throated Diver, Goldeneye, Greylag Geese, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Red Kite, Golden Eagle, Meadow Pipit, Mountain Hare, Red Grouse, Red Squirrel, Crossbill, Swallow, Sand Martin, Redshank, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Common Gull, Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Golden Plover. Limited to 10 guests. Pre-booking is essential, please ring 01479872526 to book your place. Meet at the northern end of Lochindorb (directions available from Reception) by 2pm.

Join our wildlife guide Nick Baker for a guided stroll around Loch Garten and down to Loch Mallachie looking for some of our local and iconic wildlife. Possible sightings include Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Crossbill, Goldcrest, Robin, Siskin, Treecreeper, Wren, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard, Osprey, Red Squirrel, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Goldeneye, Heron and Mallard. Limited to 10 guests. Pre-booking is essential, please ring our reception team on 01479 872526.

Join our wildlife guide Richard Thaxton for a guided stroll around Dell Woods at Nethy Bridge. We will follow the river Nethy for a stretch before turning into Dell Woods to walk back to the visitor centre.

Possible sightings include Blue, Coal, Crested, Great and Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Crossbill, Goldcrest, Siskin, Treecreeper, Wren, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redpoll, Buzzard, Dipper, Red Squirrel and Roe Deer.

Limited to 10 guests.

Pre-booking is essential, please ring 01479 872526 to book your place.

Meet at the Visitor Centre in Nethy Bridge by 9.30am.

Join our wildlife guide John Poyner for a guided stroll along part of the Speyside Way starting in Nethy Bridge.

Potential sightings include Sparrowhawk, mixed Finch flocks, Brambling, Twite, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Mistle and Song Thrushes, Redwing and Fieldfares, Wren, Robin, Buzzard, Pink-footed and Greylag Geese and much more.
Maximum of 10 people.

Pre-booking is essential, please ring 01479872526 to book your place. Meet at the Car Park, Station Road, Nethy Bridge by 9.30am

Join our wildlife guide NICK BAKER for a guided stroll, appr 2 hours, from the Grant Arms Hotel through Anagach Woods looking for some of our local and iconic wildlife.

Possible sightings include Blue, Coal, Crested, Great and Long Tailed Tits, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Crossbill, Goldcrest, Robin, Siskin, Treecreeper, Wren, Great-Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Buzzard, Red Squirrel and Roe Deer.

Limited to 10 people.

Please book with our Reception Team prior to the event to avoid disappointment.

Image credit Graham Niven

This gentle Ranger Ramble at Dava Moor (near Grantown-on-Spey) offers a serene stroll through a typical Highland moorland, with bogs, a lochan and even a few trees!

Bring your binoculars if you have them, but we’ll be concentrating on the botany and beasties, with some history thrown in too…hopefully we’ll get some gorgeous wildlfowers and weather permitting, a butterfly or two!

As we’re focusing on slow observation rather than brisk walking, this wee event is suitable for all – including good dogs.