As part of the work we do to monitor the Rothiemurchus Capercaillie population, we recently undertook our annual lek counts with James Gordon and Tim Poole of RSPB. To do this, we put up a number of camouflaged hides in the forest near the known leks (where the males gather to compete and display for the females). These displays normally occur at first light so we "slept" in the hides the night before and got up at 0430.  Shortly afterwards, the birds were onsong

We count the males displaying to the females, which gives an idea of the population size, based on the assumption of there being approximately equal numbers of males & females. We saw 7, 4 and 2 males at the 3 sites respectively, which compares favourably with last year.

21st April 2008

Ian Rutherford scoops top award with Rothiemurchus Ospreys.

Ian Rutherford, a long-serving and popular photographer with The Scotsman, has won the top press photography award for a record fourth time.

He was crowned First ScotRail Press Photographer of the Year at a glittering awards ceremony in Glasgow's Mitchell Theatre on 26 March.

His previous Photographer of the Year wins were in 1994, 1997 and 1998.Ian collected the award for Picture Essay of the Year with his striking images of ospreys fishing at Rothiemurchus Fishery.

Ospreys return to Rothiemurchus. We’re so excited to tell you that the first osprey of the season was seen at the Fishery on 27 March!

It is probably the "EJ" bird from Loch Garten and other birds have been seen since.  No established feeding pattern is taking place, as it’s slightly chilly at the moment with all the snow we have been having. Regular feeding will probably become more established with warmer weather which we all hope comes soon!

NEW for 2008 -  'Midge eaters' at the camp and caravan site. We really want you to have a fun stay with us whether you are camping or in your caravan or motor home. Therefore we have just installed 3 new 'midge eaters' to help you stay as 'bite free' as possible during your visit with us. If you would like more information about this then please contact the camp and caravan park on T: + 44 (0)1479 812800.

We were delighted that Lord Coe commented that “this was the most enjoyable meal I have had in a very long time, I usually am so busy at these events I don’t get a chance to eat! This time I was so relaxed I even managed to have a second helping!”