Bird life in the garden around Squirrel Cottage Killiecrankie

www.squirrelcottage.net for your self catering accommodation
Squirrel Self Catering Cottage, Killiecrankie, Nr Pitlochry. Telephone: 01796 473335
3 miles equidistant from Pitlochry & Blair Atholl in Highland Perthshire

Bird life in the Garden and trees around Squirrel cottage

Around Squirrel cottage there is plenty of bird life in the garden and the trees. The garden has feeders which attract large numbers of birds through out the day. Chaffinch, the whole family of Tits, Pheasants, Black birds, Robins, Dunnock, Rooks are regularly seen.

Woodpeckers.
we have started to get Pied Woodpeckers visiting the feeders and guests also have reported seeing Green Woodpeckers as well.

Sparrow hawk.
We have a Sparrow Hawk that regularly targets the birds at the feeders. Guests have reported that he sits in a Silver Birch tree over looking the garden deciding when to swoop.

Pheasants.
We have regular visits from the local Pheasant population through out the day and all year round. Pheasants were brought to Britain some 400 years ago. They are primarily a woodland bird but are often seen in fields. The males are at their most spectacular plumage wise in the spring, when mating occurs.

Robins.
We regularly see Robins and hear their loud 'tic tic tic' as they defend their territory. Robins are unusual in that both males and females defend territories About midwinter Robins pair and share territories.

Tits and Greenfinch.
We see three varieties of Tit at the feeders and in the woods around Squirrel Cottage. Great Tit, Blue Tit and the Coal Tit. You will also see Green Finch munching away at the sunflower seeds.

You will see Tits all day long at the feeders. The peanuts and the sunflower seeds are what they truly love. The trees in the Killiecrankie gorge are full of nesting boxes put up by the National Trust Rangers who look after the wild life in this Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Chaffinch and Black Birds.
Winter is a harsh time for birds especially when there is snow lying on the ground. The image above is of tens of Chaffinch and the odd Black Bird searching for food at our feeders. As snow lies on the ground regularly for over a week, here in the Highlands, we make sure there is food for the birds so as many of them as possible survive our winters.

Despite the harshness of our Highland winters, there is much to see and enjoy. The roads are kept open by snow plough teams who are well drilled and used to clearing our roads. The landscape can be very picturesque and walking great fun.