SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

2022

This trip was predominantly about seeing some of the amazing Scottish wildlife during winter (early March). Driving up, I had a day just inside the Scottish border at WWT Caerlaverock before making my way up to Boat of Garten. It was a great base for exploring the area.

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Greenfinches.

Male on left and flying in from right. Possibly a female in centre as colours more dull and not as dark around the eye.

Back off, Buster!

A male Greenfinch was dominating the bird feeder.

Bank Vole

The Wren - one of my favourite birds - often seen fleetingly, sculking around the edge of water. It's also surprisingly feisty and loud for such a diminuitive creature.

Whooper Swan

Barnacle Geese en masse...now imagine the noise!

Yellowhammer (female). The male has a less streaked head with more yellow.

Coal Tit

Brown Hare airborne

Red Squirrel.

I think this one looks quite young. Take a look at its nose and compare it to the one in the next photo.

Peek-a-boo!

Battle scars.

It looks as though the tip of its ear is missing!

It always amazes me how well squirrels can hold on to trees, but they have long claws that are clearly very effective.

You can see them more easily in the close up below.

Chaffinch (female)

RSPB Insh Marshes

Loch Morlich

Mountain Hare

Long-Horned Mountain Goat

A kid

The white stripe on the back of the Coal Tit's head is a great way to help differentiate it from other similar looking birds like the Marsh Tit.

Badger

Badgers Mating

Pine Marten, also with strong claws.

You can usually differentiate between different ones by the markings on its cream coloured bib, as seen in the photo below.

Twins, later seen suckling from the same female goat.

Siskin (male) - a first sighting for me on this trip.

Siskin (female).

As with a vast number of bird species, the female is usually more duller coloured than the male.

Ancient Packhorse Bridge, Carrbridge. Built in 1717, it's the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands.

Crested Tit