SPRING IS IN THE AIR....HONEST!

Well it has taken us a while but we have finally dug ourselves out of the snow and low and behold...Spring is here!
So they say there are a few more flurries heading our way, well that is just fine by us; it will keep the mountains topped up for the skiers and add a decorative dusting to the horizon. Down in the valleys however, there is nothing that will perturb us from pulling out the parasol’s and popping on the plimsolls. It might not be barbeque weather just yet, but this is arguably the best time to visit the Highlands for all those who are a fan of the great outdoors and the offerings or our blossoming flora and fauna.
The hills are positively alive with music, not the shrill singing of a nonchalant nun but an orchestral assault by the burgeoning birdlife. Yes, for all those brethren of Bill Oddy and his buddies (Chris, Kate and co - aka the Autumn Watch crew past and present) and indeed anyone who appreciates the many glories of the great outdoors, now is the time to visit the Cairngorms.
It is home to a quarter of Scotland's native woodland and is a refuge for a host of rare plants and creatures, including 25% of the UK's threatened species. The National Park takes in some of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain, from the wild tundra of the high mountain tops to the wind-rocked seclusion of the ancient pinewoods. Heather moor, vivid with summer colour, and grand glens, haunt of red deer and golden eagle, are just some of the other habitats within the park.
And at this time of year we see the return of many of our favourite feathered friends after their winter sojourn in the sun. Great news just in is that EJ, our neighbouring female Osprey, has just returned to the centre at Loch Garten and is looking forward to receiving visitors from the first of April onwards. We also have a small troop of the ever amusing Oyster catchers setting up residence within the grounds, and ever increasing signs of deer within the neighbouring woodlands.
I do hate to be an old Willow Warbler but for those of you who know your Widgeons from your Whimbrels and your Gannets from your Guillemots here is a list of possible bird sightings within the area, for the rest of you who think I have gone Cuckoo and am just talking a load of Chiffchaff…feel free to scroll on the what is on this spring.
Brace yourself for a bird watchers bombardment…(I like to read the list in a sing song type melody, it gives it a rather Doc Dolittle lilt. We have….Tufted ducks, Greylag goose, Black headed gulls, Red breasted merganser, Golden Eagle, White tailed Eagle, Greenfinch, Black Grouse, Red Grouse, the illustrious Capercailie, the pleasant pheasant, the hipper Dipper the ever loved Rock Doves, handfuls of Tits be them Great, Blue or Coal, Herons hopping here, Robins rocking there, Buzzards by the bucketful, Kestrels to fill your boots with, Curlews, Cormorants, Eiders, Stonechats, Teals and Puffins!

Of course not all of us are huge fans of bird watching but there are few who can resist the lure of the Reindeer centre at neighbouring Loch Morlich or the many four legged creatures of the Kingussie wildlife park. Pinemarten are back in force as are Stoats (recently spotted in the grounds) and the Otter family often seen in the Spey just meters from the hotel.

For a what’s on guide of all the spring activities to watch out for check out the online version of the Visit Aviemore brochure at http://www.visitaviemore.com/whatson.html.

Have a nice Spring!