Dinnet NNR & The Cabrach 12-13/04/2025
Saturday 12th April 2025 🌤️ 18C ~ Wind SSW @ 9MPH ~ Today marked the last day of high pressure, so Dazza and I decided to take a walk around Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve to enjoy the last of the unseasonal warmth. We parked at the visitor center and chose to follow a clockwise route. Our walk began at Loch Davan and concluded with a stroll past Loch Kinnord.
During the latter part of our walk, the weather changed, with low-hanging clouds casting a gray pall over the landscape. Despite the shifting conditions, we were fortunate to spot a few newly arrived Tree Pipits. One of them was performing its characteristic parachuting song flight, which I could listen to and watch all day long.
 |
| Tree Pipit at Dinnet. |
Although the sun was disappearing behind the clouds, we were fortunate to encounter a small Adder, which we watched slide slowly across the path, along with a couple of Common Lizards during the visit. Our first Orange-Tip butterfly of the year was also seen. Unfortunately, there was no sign of any Great Crested Grebes, a rare species in Aberdeenshire. They were usually found at Loch Davan, but sadly, they have not been seen since 2023, when a nesting attempt ended in failure near hatching!
 |
| Adder at Dinnet. |
Sunday 13th April 2025 🌤️ 6C ~ Wind NW @ 10MPH ~ About 25 miles from my home lies the Cabrach, an estate and a largely depopulated rural community. It is home to one of the largest coniferous forests in the northeast. The area features a diverse range of habitats, including typical forests and clearings, birch woodlands, scrubland, and open stream valleys, as well as adjacent upland farmland and moorland.
 |
| View from the roadside at Clashindarroch. |
Today, twenty-two RSPB Aberdeen & District Local Group members met at the Clashindarroch Nordic Skiing car park at 7 a.m.
After the recent fine weather, a cold front had moved in overnight, dropping temperatures to a chilly 5°C. Despite the cold, the sun was shining, and the parking area was bustling with activity. A pair of Crossbills could be spotted in the nearby pine trees, while just across the road, a Willow Warbler was singing. Siskin, Lesser Redpoll were also noted. Rob and David were already scoping a distant Black Grouse lek, and overhead, a few Skylarks were singing.
 |
| Male Common Crossbill in the harsh low sun. |
After organising a car share, we drove a short distance to a well-known Black Grouse lek and parked just off the road. From that location, we could easily observe the lek from a safe distance. We spotted at least nine male Black Grouse; however, during our time there, we didn't record any females. While here, we were constantly searching the sky and surrounding hillsides, and this eventually paid off when we spotted three distant Hen Harriers. Just below in the valley, a group of five Red Deer.
 |
| Black Grouse lek. |
We then headed into the Cabrach farmlands, where we saw plenty of Lapwing, Curlews, Oystercatchers, Meadow Pipits, and Buzzards — the latter seemed to be everywhere today. At one point, we parked the cars and took a short stroll, where we spotted a few male Wheatears. We also observed a couple of winnowing Common Snipe, a Sand Martin flying by, and several Common Gulls, which nest in the area. In the distance, a couple of Ravens seemed to be displaying.
 |
| Male Wheatear, one of a half dozen seen today. |
The biggest surprise of the day occurred when we returned to our cars. Suddenly, a juvenile White-tailed Eagle flew directly overhead, being mobbed by several corvids. It was an exciting moment for the group, especially since several members had never seen one before.
 |
| Juvenile White-tailed Eagle. |
After another stop, we eventually returned to the car park, spotting a Red Kite along the way. From there, we took a short stroll along the road to a great open area for scanning. We spent about half an hour there, the best of which was a distant Goshawk over one of the plantations, along with more Common Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk. During the short walk back to the car, Stonechat and a Tree Pipit were further additions to the day list. A very successful and enjoyable day with a total species count of forty-two.
 |
| Wheatear |
 |
| White-tailed Eagle |
 |
| White-tailed Eagle |
