Some images from an enjoyable long weekend in the highlands, based near Aviemore June 2nd-4th

We took in the lovely Sma Glen, Perth and Kinross on the way up as well as a stop near Aberfeldy for the Red-footed Falcon which been present the previous day but had moved on.

The Sma Glen is still a good place to see Ring Ouzel, although much of the UK  breeding  population  is in trouble.

One of my favourites, Wood Warblers showed well on the approach road to Loch an Eilein

Juv Scottish Crossbill in Abernethy Forest. I located a flock of 9 Crossbills  that I had seen flying into a Scots Pine.  Only the Juv showed well enough for a pic but even that showed a heavy bill. The contact calls of these birds were deeper sounding than the Common Crossbill I had heard earlier but I had wait a while to hear an excitement call, the most  reliable way of distinguishing Scots from Parrots. This was slow in pace with a noticeable gap between each note, confirming these as Scottish.

Great Spot in Abernethy Forest

Goldeneye ducklings Loch Mallachie