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Birdwatching |
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| Juniper Cottage is ideally situated as a base for birdwatching. The local feathered celebrities include ospreys, capercaillie, golden eagles, crested tits and crossbills. The Juniper Cottage garden is in itself a miniature bird sanctuary and the resident small bird population takes full advantage of the feeding and nesting opportunities that we provide. You are not likely to see an eagle here of course, but crested tits are regular visitors. |
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| Ospreys It is now common knowledge how the osprey reintroduced itself to Scotland in the fifties and prospered to the extent that we now have nearly 200 breeding pairs. The nearest watchable osprey nest to Juniper Cottage is at the RSPB Osprey Centre near Loch Garten. Terry and Lynne will give you directions and if you would like to phone the centre for the latest update it is 01479 831476. Another suggestion is the nest on the island at the mouth of Loch Insh. Simply go to the churchyard on the east side of the Kincraig bridge and look at the top of a bent larch tree on the island. |
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| Capercaillie This bird is in sharp decline and we have lost 90 per cent of the population in 25 years. Many of our remaining 2000 birds live in the forests near Nethy Bridge so at Juniper Cottage you are right on the spot. In springtime the RSPB run an early morning capercaillie watch at the osprey centre - for details phone 01479 831476. At other times an early morning walk in the quieter parts of the Abernethy, Glenmore or Boat of Garten forests might prove fruitful. Please remember throughout the breeding season to keep dogs under close control. |
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| Golden
Eagles Most of Scotland's golden eagles live over on the west coast but Strathspey does hold claim to a few resident pairs. They are most often seen above the small hills in the south east corner of the Abernethy Forest and in the mountains to the east of Cairngorm. Strathdearn, near Tomatin, is also popular with eagles. A public road follows the north side of the river Findhorn to a car park and barrier. Beyond this it is possible to walk further up the valley along a rough track for a really good chance of seeing eagles. |
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| Crested
Tits These small birds are quite common in continental Europe but are rare in the UK where they are found only in pine forests in the eastern Highlands of Scotland. They might be seen almost anywhere in the forests around Nethy Bridge and you may well see your first one in the gardens of Juniper Cottage itself. |
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| Crossbills Three species of crossbill are known to breed in the UK but only Abernethy forest is recorded as having had all three breed in the same year. These birds travel in small flocks high in the trees and stop to feed as a group on pine cones. Crossbills are not especially numerous in the district and they do not remain in the same place for very long so you will have to keep your wits about you if you wish to glimpse them. |
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