There were many Oystercatchers and Lapwings nesting in the Wildlife Park along with a few Redshanks and Curlews. Some of the Oystercatchers had chicks and one poor bird was desperately trying to incubate two eggs on a nest right in the middle of the car park. We also spotted two male Wheatears and a Buzzard at the park.

At Insh Marshes RSPB reserve there were two hides , one of which was in elevated position overlooking the marshes along the banks of the Spey. From it we could see a breeding colony of Black-headed Gulls and large numbers of Lapwing, Curlew and Redshank. From the second hide we saw a female Goldeneye and I heard a Snipe 'drumming'. There was a Hooded Crow walking through the grass looking for Redshank eggs or chicks and we could see a few Roe Deer in the distance.

On the way back to Aviemore we had to stop the car because the car in front of us had hit and killed a Red Deer. The local farmer appeared to 'dispose' of the deer but before he did he asked us if we would like to have it. I politely declined. I couldn't really see us driving along with a dead deer strapped to the bonnet.