SPRING ARRIVES IN THE STRATH

 

Fabulous cloudscapes on Sgor Gaoithe 

The past few days we've been enjoying some beautiful sunny days and warm temperatures down in Strathspey. A big ridge of High pressure has established itself over much of Scotland. With temperatures reaching 19 C in Edinburgh on Thursday and probably around 15 C here in Aviemore the same day. Definitely Spring like. Of course we still have plenty of snow up on the Cairngorms. The snowline has slowly retreated to around 900m on the big hills.  

MONDAY 15 MARCH

I thought it was just me and the hares today

Cladonias through the melting snow

It was a bright start in the morning but the weather dulled over in the afternoon. Nice and quiet on my usual Mountain Hare walk. I did think I had the hillside to myself ( as per usual) until suddenly a dog off a lead came bounding across the heather with its owner not visible. Within a minute or two 5 Mountain Hares who were sitting peacefully at their Forms took off in fright. Eventually I heard its owner shouting somewhere,  still no visible. Then 3 Golden over who had been resting in the heather took off as the dog raced around. I was totally hacked off. After 5 minutes the owner who was on a path over 150m away was finally seen trying to shout the mutt over. It finally ran back to him. The guy never put it on a lead.

One hare frightened off by the wild dog

.....and another

This selfish, irresponsible dog owner not only spoilt my day but him and his mutt had potentially stopped the Golden Plover from nesting this season. These birds have only arrived on the area about a week ago and like many other ground nesting birds they will shortly be mating up and having their young. Lets hope they didn't take off completely and have settled in again. Who knows what else that dog disturbed during the day. Dogs and dog owner's are now becoming a major problem in the Cairngorms. No dog is under control unless it is on a lead. Only recently the Kinara Estate have pinned up a notice at one of the carpark areas. The folk who look after the Cairngorm Reindeer have had problems with dogs scaring off the Reindeer over in the Northern Cairngorms. People need to understand that these hills and mountains are home to some of our most precious,  rare and protected wildlife. It is not a playground for wild, uncontrolled dogs to run about disturbing and destroying birds and wild animals.

Carpark notice. It's pure ignorance if you can't see this

I shortly after packed up and walked down. On a more pleasant note it was nice to bump into long time acquaintance and fellow guide, Richard. He was out with a friend on a local walk. Restrictions now easing slightly and going outside with friends is very welcome. 

TUESDAY 16 MARCH

Beautiful afternoon 

Today was such a wonderful contrast from yesterday's encounter with the out of control dog and its ignorant owner. Peaceful and quiet on the hill. I returned to my usual place and saw no one all day. The winds had shifted to the NW, on the sheltered SE slopes it was calmer and some wonderful Mountain Hares were nicely settled. I got some lovely moments with them.

Warmer but full winter high up

Nothing like a good stretch 

Amongst the rocks

There was one particular hare who was not in the least bothered about my presence. This lovely individual is just starting to morph into his Spring pelage. The change is triggered not by snow but light at times of the year which affects the hares hormones to transform from Winter to Spring. Its a beautiful thing to watch them go from one season into the next.

Busy eating

Time for a rest

Afternoon light was gorgeous 

The late afternoon light was just beautiful. The Cairngorms finally basked in sun.. Smashing walk home with no one about.

Glorious afternoon light

Spring like

Quiet and peaceful 

WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH

Another glorious day

The weather forecast for today was cloud on the tops with just some brighter moments at Strath level. Well it turned out to be a stunning day at all levels! Warm sunshine. I'd already based my decision on te forecast and had a leisurely bike ride with the aim of photographing Brown Hare. These distant cousins of our beautiful Mountain Hare were thought to have been introduced to the British Isles by the Romans. Like many species of wildlife, numbers have dwindled over the last few decades. The usual persecution & changes in farming practices seem to have the biggest effect on figures. The habitat of the Brown Hare is very different from the Mountain Hare. They prefer farmland, long grasses with some tree cover nearby for shelter.

Brown Hare

Well camouflaged 

There are a few places that I have had fleeting glimpses of these fine animals so I decided to spend a bit more time trying to capture a decent shot of them. I was fortunate enough to bump into a farmer whilst hanging about and the very nice chap allowed me to roam about in one of his fields where he regularly sees the hares.

Finding a hare amongst a field!

Snowdrops along the wayside

Beautiful late afternoon ride home

I spent a fantastic 3 hours sat in the field. I spotted 4 hares. They crouch really low in the short cropped vegetation. Well camouflaged and hidden. I also saw flocks of Lapwing, several Curlew and Greylagg Geese. On the ride home a cute Red Squirrel ran alongside my bike for a short distance. Brilliant. 

THURSDAY 18 MARCH

The summit area on Sgor Gaoithe 

I met up with fellow guide, Richard who I have known or many years. Of course all guides and instructors cannot operate at the moment with current travel restrictions for our potential clients. That doesn't mean we don't still get out in the hills of course! Working in the hills is not just a job, it's a lifestyle. We arranged to meet in Glenfeshie. I cycled from the house on a beautiful morning. Along the way I saw 4 Woodpeckers and a Brown Hare. The hare was just a few feet away in a field.. Sitting watching me. If only I brought my wildlife camera! Typical. 

Fabulous cloudscapes 

Snow above 900m

No set plan for the day, just a day on the hill and a blether. The 'Sgorrans' are the collective name given to the  group of fine hills to the East of Glen Feshie, Sgor Gaoithe being the highest summit and the only Munro. There did use to be several Munros here but the powers that be decided to demote these many years ago. They are all fine, undulating hills with very little height drop between any of them.

Fabulous afternoon 

Fabulous cloudscapes 

Lenticular Clouds over Sgor Gaoithe 

The summit

Braeriach from the summit

As we made our way to the Munro of Sgor Gaoithe we spotted 2 pairs of Ptarmigan. Cursing not bringing the telephoto lens and proper camera. Sometimes it's just lovely to watch them. Up until now we hadn't seen anyone all day. That's how it continued for the remainder of the day. Not a soul around. The early afternoon was the finest period for light and sunshine. The clouds were just amazing. Lenticular clouds overhead. We descended on brilliant soft snow down into the coire and a glorious late afternoon through the forest.

Our descent on easy soft snow

Lenticular clouds in late afternoon 

Beautiful light

It was late afternoon by the time we reached Glenfeshie. A fabulous day and great company with plenty of blethering. Top day. Don't forget the bikevride home is fabulous too.

Glenfeshie, fab bike home

C