Non-Stop Birding: Scotland Road Trip Day Seven

Friday, 7 August 2026

Scotland Road Trip Day Seven

Sadly it's our last full day in the Cairngorms today as we start our journey back south tomorrow morning.

We spent the day at the Highland Wildlife Park which was great for the kids and a nice selection of some more unusual mammals too like Mishmi Takin, Bukhara Deer, Turkmenian Markhor, Vicuna, White-lipped Deer and Himalyan Tahr among the more expected zoo mammals and a few Caledonian specialities like Wild Cat and Pine Martin. Sadly we saw a Pine Martin dead on the A9 on the way to the park but this morning we did have Red Squirrel and Roe Deer at the campsite.

The Cairngrom exlusion zone opened today after three weeks of wild fire control so we took the drive to the Cairngorm ski resort car park. We were able to see some of the burnt area. Will be interesting how this area recolonises in the coming years. Looks a bit bleak at the moment.

I had the Heath trap out at the Ralia Cafe moorland and the lepiled at the campsite last night. Another great night of moth trapping with a few more lifers. I'm getting lifers every night and still got tonight to go so fingers crossed for one or two more.

Barnacle Geese at the Wildlife Park, apparantely wild. 907 for the year now. A few other bits and bobs there too HERE including Hooded Crow (below). Still hoping that one day I find something good at these wildlife family attractions. I have seen (not found) Black-throated Thrush at Whipsnade Zoo, had a White-tailed Eagle go over Arundel WWT on a family day (and seen a few good local bits like Hen Harrier, White-fronted Goose and Goosander there) and have had Yellow-legged Gulls and Spot Fly at Wolburn Safari Park.

Scarce Silver-Y, another top of wish list. From the Heath trap. Lifer.

Great Brocade- another top of wish list from the campsite trap. The campsite has been incredibly diverse with a nice mix of riverine birch and rush meadows backed by moorland. Lifer.