Lots of wildlife to be seen in Strathspey

This area is a naturalist's paradise with clean air and water, rivers, forests, moorland and hills. Many unspoiled spaces means we have many interesting species within easy reach.

Animals

Rare species catch the headlines - Scottish wildcat, pine marten, otter. But there are equally fascinating animals to be seen. The roe and red deer are wonderful to watch especially in the rutting season. You might just get the sighting of exotic muntjac or barking deer - but roe deer bark too! Then there are brown hares in the fields and mountain hare are a wonderful sight on the hills and moors, white in winter and brown in summer.

Birds

Famously, osprey started nesting in nearby Loch Garten in the 1950's. Now they can be seen all over Scotland and northern England. Red kites have been released on the Black isle where you might be luckey enough to catch them. White-tailed sea eagles could be spotted on the west coast and there is no greater sight than a golden eagle close up.
Then there are red and black throated divers, ptarmigan, ring ouzel, dotterel, snow buntings, Scottish crossbill and parrot crossbill, crested tit, black grouse, red grouse and the "King of the Forest", the Capercaillie. Plenty to entertain!

Fungi and Mosses

One species of fungi - Chrysomphilina Chrysophila - was found in Curr Wood which has never been recorded in Britain before. There are also some rare mosses in Curr Wood.

Insects

There are many butterflies in season around here and also hoverflies, with one species that is only found here in this part of Britain.

Plants

As well as rare species such as single flowered wintergreen and twin flower, we have many orchids and other interesting plants such as butterworts and sundews. The hillsides of heather are wonderful when they're in full bloom. There are three species of heather, the common ling, then purple bell heather and pink cross-leaved heath.
Of particular note will be the Abernethy pine forest, seen from Auchendean. It is the last remnant in Britain of primeval forest, populated mainly by scots pines with an under storey of juniper, birch and rowan.

 

Red squirrel

Fabulous ceps - almost as big as Bess

Twin flower

Dark Green Fritillary