The Cairngorms (or 'I am extremely unfit')

Had an amazing long weekend in the Cairngorms, accompanied by p4rus. No less than 9 life birds.

In no particular order:

• Common Redstart
• Dipper
• Siskin
• Ring Ouzel
• Crested Tit
• Red Grouse
• Black Grouse
• Common Crossbill
• Ptarmigan

And that's apart from the Raven, Short Eared Owl, Sandpipers (so tiny!) and everything else that presented themselves better than ever before. Don't think I'll ever forget Willow Warbler song now either. A bit of sun would have been appreciated for the forested bits, but I can't find it in me to be disappointed. The Cairngorms in May are awesome.

The supposed reason for the trip was a training walk up the mountains preparing for July's Three Peaks challenge, and so last day was booked out for climbing Lochnagar, which looks like this:

Unfortunately we didn't get to the summit as planned. With the previous two days walking (and some ill advised single malt the night before) exhaustion set in by the time we reached the deep snow, but it's on the cards for another visit. Mountains are hard. You can sponsor me here by the way: http://www.justgiving.com/AndrewCampbell-3Peaks

Suppose I should include a picture of at least one bird. Have a cute little Siskin.