Author Archives: Ray Collier
Country diary: Newhall Point
The ebbing tide had laid bare the extensive mudflats of the outer Cromarty Firth. These rich feeding areas for wildfowl and waders stretched eastwards from my vantage point to the two narrow twin headlands called sutors that guard the entrance to the f… Continue reading
Country diary: Drummossie Muir
Some images of wildlife etch on the mind like a photograph, and such was the case last week as I drove over this huge expanse of moorland and gorse just south of Inverness. The area was blanketed in snow and there appeared to be no wildlife, as even th… Continue reading
Country diary: Strathnairn
The first of the winter snows was barely perceptible when it fell on the hills in the strath opposite our house. It was like a brief dusting of icing sugar on the tops, and could have easily gone unnoticed. Two days later and it was more pronounced and… Continue reading
Country diary: Inverness
For the silver anniversary meeting of the Highland Biological Recording Group on Saturday, members had been asked to bring anything with a silver theme. I decided to take in a live specimen, which is why just before the meeting my wife and I were crawl… Continue reading
Country diary: Struie, Easter Ross
Standing at the viewpoint, we overlooked the inner Dornoch Firth and then to the west the distant Kyle of Sutherland. The Struie road runs south from where we stood to the Cromarty Firth and is one of the old drove routes coming down from Sutherland a… Continue reading
Country diary: Inverness
The latest mammal to “invade” Inverness is, judging by the recent queries I have had, the pine marten. Some people just commented on their presence and what they were doing in gardens, while others were having problems with them. Most sightings were of… Continue reading
Country diary: Ray Collier
Of all the areas of the ancient Forest of Caledon I visit, the most outstanding must be this glen with its vast area of native pinewoods. Last week I stood in my favourite spot on the banks of the river Farrar. I was surrounded by the “king of the wood… Continue reading
Country diary: Strathnairn
I clambered up over the rocky slope into the woodland full of anticipation. In some woodlands you feel almost as an intruder. This one, with its dense scattering of birch trees, was different as at once I felt some calmness and acceptance. It felt like… Continue reading
Country Diary: Dalmigavie
The wild goats were on or near a steep rocky outcrop, and a most impressive almost pure white nanny was sitting on top in a commanding position. It was as if she was surveying the scene of a patchwork of low juniper bushes interspersed with the dominan… Continue reading
Country Diary: Strathnairn
Although there are pine martens in the strath we rarely see them, but occasionally we observe their tracks in mud or droppings in various places. So seeing one crossing the road last week in the middle of the day was a surprise. It loped across seeming… Continue reading