I always love receiving guests' photos and Gerald Smith has just sent me in a cracker, from the Ptarmigan walk we organised with the Cairngorm Mountain Ranger Service. Gerald said:

'The day on the mountain was fantastic, good weather, great area and a wonderful guide Heather and of course the Ptarmigan. We had a wonderful stay at the hotel and hope to visit again soon.'

Glad that you enjoyed it Gerald and Nina!

Meanwhile, reporting on our guided walk today we were treated to a feast of wildlife sightings - a flock of around 20 Scottish Crossbills was the highlight, along with Red Squirrels, a Roe Buck, Siskin, one Buzzard mobbed by a Raven, another by two Barn Swallows, and on the River Spey Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Goldeneye. We also heard a Crested Tit but were foiled on that score. Still, a memorable three hours for all!

Yet more signs that spring is well and truly here - Lapwings, Oystercatchers and Curlews are starting to invade Strathspey in ever-increasing numbers and roding Woodcock can be seen and heard at dusk over Grantown-on-Spey golf club. No doubt the drumming Snipe will be next! It must also be the easiest time of year to see Crested Tits - really coming into song now as they establish their nesting territories and significant numbers are still coming into feeders at visitor centres and even gardens. Thanks to Frank McKay for the photo taken at Glen Feshie. Oh yes, and the Waxwings are back again!

It's always nice to get feedback from our guests about the wildlife they've seen. So here is a transcript of the note Sandra and Phil Slegg left me at the end of their stay last week:

"Dear Toby, at Loch Garten saw Crested and Coal Tits on feeder. 5 Red Squirrels! Great Spotted Woodpecker collected pine cone then stored it in hole in dead birch at rear visitor centre. Walked along stream at Nethy Bridge saw Dipper. Safari very good. Saw Roe & Red Deer, Red Grouse and Brown Hare. Thanks for all your help. Sandra and Phil Slegg."

I like it when a plan comes together!

A couple of species were sighted on our Guided Walk today which we haven't seen for some time. Three Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen feeding and playing by the River Spey and we accidently flushed a Woodcock in Anagach Wood. Given that RSPB Loch of Strathbeg on the east coast has reported 21 today, is this the first traditional November 'fall of Woodcock' this year?

A fall of snow on Monday has transformed the Cairngorms into a winter wonderland! And the wildlife watching has been as good as ever.

Our guided walks this week have turned up the best sightings of the year of both Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill - in fact the Cresties have been seen at a number of sites by guests; check out the very seasonal photo taken by 15 year old Charlie Rogers who stayed with us and caught this great image at Loch-an-Eilein!

In addition, guests are still seeing big herds of Red Deer, as well as seasonal favourites such as Whooper Swan and the first sightings of Snow Bunting at Cairngorm Mountain!

I doubt there's anywhere in Britain to rival the Cairngorms in the winter - to join in the fun why not have a look at our 'Winter Wildlife Watch' package as featured in November's Watcher available to download for free on our homepage...