Last Day...Clean-up?

Friday May 14
With the thermometer reading 8C, it felt positively balmy this morning. It stayed warm and sunny all day.
The Slav wasn’t visible at the Boat of Garten pool, nor a Wagtail at the bridge. Loch Mallachie called. We only walked about 300 yards (I was wearing shoes this morning) before hearing a Crested Tit call and then seeing it, high in the treetops and flitting from tree to tree.
Forest Lodge for a cup of coffee, before walking down the hill past the dog kennels. A Tree Pipit sang but the best surprise was our first Sparrowhawk of the trip.
Coire na Coiste in Glen More for lunch again but, no birds - not that we tried very hard, much too interested in eating .
Less snow on the hills to-day, overnight rain will have seen to that. Still more than in previous years, as was proved when we reached Ptarmigan Cafe via the cable car. Straight out to the viewing platform where a pair of Ptarmigan showed well although distantly. The male was still very white-take out your bins to find it in the pic.




At least six people were delighted to see them through my scope, it was a pleasure to see how thrilled they were.

The view from the top is stunning, even better on a clear and sunny day.

The viewing area closed at 2.30 for a wedding party, we couldn’t wait for the Snow Buntings that turn up in the afternoon. We both had a cup of ‘Cairngorm Mountain Chocolate’ whilst watching a Snowcat construct a ‘hill’ for the still busy skiers ,a ski-lift in operation too. The snow was very deep outside the cafe.

Did we clean up on highland specialities? Yes we did, the first time in about 5 years. Scottish Crossbills have long been our bugbear. Crested Tit has become ever more difficult in May when they're nesting and high in the canopy.
No more birding to-day, time to return for a last internet farm and to pack. We intend leaving early in thre morning so as to make the most of birding opportunities.