Yesterday morning me and my brother Mark were up at 4:00am and driving over to Aviemore. For an early morning start in the Cairngorms. We were walking just after six and we arrived at the plateau by about half seven, via the path that passes below Lurcher’s Crag. I had already walked up this path back in March last year with Mark Cutts, but at around 750 metres, snow up to waist level called a halt to proceedings!

On the plateau we were greeted by thick rolling cloud which fortunately swept over us and away leaving a clear-ish morning. Before reaching Lochan Buidhe we came across a flock of Snow Buntings and as I walked over to photograph a juvenile we came across two male Ptarmigan. These were a first for me and I could not have asked for two more obliging birds. Superb, if I visit another dozen times I doubt I will get the views as I did with these two.

Ptarmigan, male, Cairgorms NP, 6 Aug 2009

 As we walked along the main ridge towards Cairngorm we came across a pair of another Ptarmigan, this time a pair but they remained at quite a distance and well down hill so photos were out. After climbing Cairngorm we dropped off to the south west and we were rewarded with a female bird with a youngster in tow. She only had one which was a shame but it was a good size, so hopefully one for the future. Before calling in at the Station for a well earned Steak pie our Mark came across another pair as we searched ‘fruitlessly’ for Dotterel. Dipping on Dotterel was a shame but it gives me an excuse to return. Hopefully in the not too distant future.

Ptarmigan, female, Cairgorms NP, 6 Aug 2009

Ptarmigan, female with chick, Cairgorms NP, 6 Aug 2009

Ptarmigan, chick, Cairgorms NP, 6 Aug 2009

We managed to get quite close to the Ptarmigan. All we did was keep quite still and the birds would be very confiding.

Steve Copsey