Ptarmigan

Day 8 Cairn Gorm

With the weathermen predicting wall to wall sunshine and virtually no wind, today was the day for a Ptarmigan hunt. We arrived at the car park just after 0800 and already it was becoming busy. The recent weather had deprived many of their mountain pastimes and today everyone was making up for it. Martin enquired after Ptarmigan at the ranger station and was told that none were up on the viewing station, better to walk up to the snow line on another path. So off we went, just taking it easy as there was plenty of ice on the path.

That there were lots of Red Grouse about was obvious from their constant calling, of Ptarmigan nothing, until we reached the snow. We sat on some rocks allowing the noisy and vociferous camel train of climbers to go past. Then, in the distance I saw and heard a male bird, the screwdriver call plain to hear. Birds were hard to find so we split up, Martin continued up the path, I gingerly crossed a large expanse of icy snow, heading for a ridge where we intended to meet up. As I got about 200 yards away a male called - right back where I had started out, not only that, it was yards from some climbers and Martin had his camera out. I can only say that the journey back across the ice was a darn sight quicker. I finally arrived and managed to get the camera out - six frames and the bird flew.

Martin is on a bird and I am miles away!

He's got his camera out

Made it!

 We had sightings of other birds flying around, none close. Finally, as we had crossed more ice, a pair of birds walked towards us and provided some really good, but not close views.

 

Rather than chase any more birds we sat and had lunch amidst some stunning scenery, after which we made our way gently down.

A well deserved rest amidst superb surroundings.

 



Great weather at last.


In the afternoon we made another visit to Loch Garten just in case the Cresties were playing, unfortunately I managed only a couple of shots. In the car park a familiar figure - David Gardiner, really nice to catch up with him. Not only that, we were staying in the same hotel so that evening we had a drink and dined together. Hope he got some really good photos during his stay.