Day 7 and the final day - Cairngorm Mountains
This was the day I was most looking forward to, a day in the Cairngorm mountains. I could walk up into these mountains and see no wildlife and still have an amazing day. The plan was to walk up into an area I had seen Dotterel before in the hope of seeing some of these rare waders
Cairngorms - June 2021
Other Targets were, Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and Mountain Hare. We took a steady walk up and just enjoyed the view. I took a stroll across a boulder field to have a look for any Ptarmigan. Didn't see any Ptarmigan but I did see a Mountain Hare. Sadly it saw me before I saw it so it was alert and wary and didn't pose long for photos.
Mountain Hare, Cairngorms - June 2021
Mountain Hare, Cairngorms - June 2021
Mountain Hare, Cairngorms - June 2021
Mountain Hare, Cairngorms - June 2021
I trekked back down to where Adrian and Ricky were and they had a Ptarmigan in their sights. Sadly only the one but it did pose for some photos in some nice light. Ptarmigans have to be one of my favourite birds. They are very photogenic in both summer and winter plumage. Also the fact that you have to put some hard work and effort into getting close to these birds makes it really worth while when you do find them.
Ptarmigan, Cairngorms - June 2021
Ptarmigan, Cairngorms - June 2021
Ptarmigan, Cairngorms - June 2021
Ptarmigan, Cairngorms - June 2021
Ptarmigan, Cairngorms - June 2021
Ptarmigan, Cairngorms - June 2021
Ptarmigan, Cairngorms - June 2021
After leaving the Ptarmigan we headed to the first spot which can be good for Dotterel although I haven't seen any here yet. As we climbed up there was a male Snow Bunting calling in one of the corries. Its song echoed around the area and made the perfect sound track as we slogged ourselves up. We spent a an hour or two looking in an area we thought would be good for Dotterel but sadly none were seen. We next headed further up and into the mountains. We had started to come across some big patches of snow now which made the route a bit more interesting.
Cairngorms - June 2021
After a few hours of walking we stopped to have a rest on the Plateau. I had a quick bite and left my gear with Adrian and Ricky before heading off around the area to see if I could see anything of note. It wasn't long before I picked up some movement only a few meters away. Boom 2 Female Dotterel. I pinned the area on my phone and headed back to the others. Its always handy to have phone network especially in an area that can be quite dangerous. The guys soon finished their sandwiches and we headed back to the area I last saw the birds in. Thankfully they were both still there. We spent the next 15 minutes with these stunning birds. Dotterel are unusual as its the females that are the brighter and better looking birds. As I was up there to photography these birds the females were what I was after. I edged in as close as I felt they would allow me and begin to fire of some shots. The birds just sat there amazing confiding waders. I guess they don't see many people up here. I love the effort it takes sometimes to get close to a subject. To get within a few meters of these birds it meant belly crawling across rock and the occasional snow patch not the most comfortable of journeys but well worth it. By keeping low and movements slow it meant the birds didn't see me as a threat. That meant I was able to get some close up pictures. If I would of just rushed up to these birds the only pictures I would of got would of been them flying away and the last thing I want is that. Slow and steady wins the race with bird photography. I am sure I could of got closer and get full frame head shots but didn't chance it and keep a respectful distance.
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
Dotterel, Cairngorms - June 2021
I didn't want to push these birds to much as they are in decline and a very rare breeding bird. So after 15 minutes I edged away and left these birds to it. These both being female meant it was highly unlikely they had started nests nearby. We also had a pair of Snow bunting nearby which was amazing as another target so We spend a bit of time with these. I was trying to get some pictures of them feeding in a small snow patch. They were quite difficult to capture as they were always moving. Another very confiding bird that aloud a close approach.
Snow Bunting (Male), Cairngorms - June 2021
Snow Bunting (Male), Cairngorms - June 2021
Snow Bunting (Male), Cairngorms - June 2021
Snow Bunting (Male), Cairngorms - June 2021
Snow Bunting (Male), Cairngorms - June 2021
Snow Bunting (Female), Cairngorms - June 2021
Adrian had now left me and Ricky to have a look around for anything else in the area I was still waiting for the money shot when I heard Ricky say. Matt I have a wader here. I thought for a second that he meant another Dotterel but he said no and it was like a Dunlin but bigger. My excitement levels began to raise. We had already hit all our targets could this be the unthinkable!!!! Ricky came around to where I was careful not to disturb the bird and started to point it out. For a fwhile I couldn't see it, a credit to its camouflage. Then all of a sudden I caught site of the wader!!! Fuck me ( I make no apologise for swearing) it was a Purple Sandpiper. These montane breeders are rarer than rocking horse shit. Although we see them in good numbers on our coasts in winter a summer plumage bird in breeding habit is very rare. Statistics suggest that 1-2 pairs a year breed in Scotland. This bird was a very exciting and amazing find. They aren’t very well documented as their so rare and their breeding habits in the UK are so remote. I suddenly though we need to find Adrian before this bird does a bunk. So I set of to find him. He was nowhere to be seen so when a good distance away from the bird I picked up speed and began to run. The adrenaline and excitement had got to me this is not a place to run and be reckless in and it wasn't long before I tripped on a boulder and I hit the deck pretty hard. I was lucky I smashed up my knee a bit and ripped by brand new walking pants but I was able to walk away form what could of been a lot worse. I picked myself up and gave my head a wobble and started to walk back towards Ricky. En route I could see Adrian walking back toward Ricky. As I approached him I said you will not believe what Ricky has just found. I don't think he could believe it until he seen it with his own eyes. Adrian also may have dropped a few swear words upon seeing the bird. Now we had all seen it we spent a while watching it. It was unfazed by us so I got nice and low in the snow and began to photograph the bird. It just kept going about it business picking up small insects on the snow line and probing into the snow. With this being a Schedule 1 bird we were very conscious of not disturbing this bird at a breeding site and quickly retreated away to leave this hardy wader to it. We passed the info on to the local recorder.
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
Purple Sandpiper, Cairngorms - June 2021
iPhone picture of there Purple Sandpiper in its habitat. - June 2021
An an amazing experience that will live long in the memory and what a way to finish another great trip
