Bird Watching Around the Lodges
Strathpeffer has been described as a bird-watcher's paradise, with its mixture of hill, woodland, farmland, lochs, the sea and the mud flats of the Cromarty Firth only 5 miles away. The Forestry Commission woodland is great for birds and wild animals.
Loch Kinellan and Loch Ussie are both within walking distance of the cabins. A car will take you further afield to vantage points over the Cromarty Firth and Saltburn Woods.
All the birds noted below as local and lots have been seen by people staying at the lodges. The Red Kite now nests in several places around Strathpeffer, and can be seen circling around the 'Curling Pond', and the Ospreys are not far away.
Local residents include:
- Coot; Moorhen; Mallard; Red Kite;
- Sparrow Hawk; Buzzard; Tawny Owl; Barn Owl;
- Coal Tit; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Long-Tailed Tit;
- Wren; Robin; Goldcrest; Siskin; Treecreeper;
- Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Bullfinch; White Swan;
- Crow; Hooded Crow; Jackdaw; Heron; Greater Spotted Woodpecker;
- Meadow Pipit; Tree Pipit; Pied Wagtail.
Loch residents:
- Mallard; Wigeon; Tufted Duck; Goldeneye; Teal;
- Slavonian Grebe; Little Grebe; Gadwall; Grey Lag Goose;
- Common Scoter; Pochard; Reed Bunting.
Visitors further afield:
- Shelduck; Canada Goose; Greenshank; Dipper;
- Osprey; Sea Eagle; Marsh Harrier; Hen Harrier; Short Eared Owl;
- Crested Tit; Stonechat; Wheatear; Crossbill.