Raptor Masterclass

If that distant silhouette in the sky defeats you, or the brief flash of a raptor on the moorland leaves you scratching your head, then our expert guides can let you in on the secrets for successful Raptor identification during our 2-day masterclass based in the Cairngorms National Park.

By the end of the course the participants should feel more confident in the identification of raptors, in particular those seen in the Cairngorms National Park and surrounding area.

They should also feel they can see a way forward in how to improve on their raptor identification skills and that they have learned some useful hints and tips on telling difficult species apart.

Summary

• The course will be based in the Cairngorms National Park and run over two days. It will include a day in the ‘classroom’ and day in the field.
• It will cover all regular UK species of raptor, but with a focus on those species found in the Cairngorms National Park including scarcer species.
• The ‘classroom’ day will cover all aspects of raptor recognition plumage, structure, flight, habitat and calls how to tell the difficult species apart and a host of other useful hints and tips.
• The field day will be out in suitable habitat for a selection of species to put into practice what was learned the day before.
• The course is run by Speyside Wildlife using one of our experienced guides, Roy Atkins.

Course Schedule

• The course will take place on 17-18 September 2022 with the classroom day on day one and field day, day two.
• Lunch is provided on the classroom day but please bring a packed lunch on the field day.
• On the ‘classroom’ day please bring paper and pencil and your favourite bird book we tend to use the Collins ‘Bird Guide.
• For the field day please bring your binoculars, telescope if you have one, your bird book and paper and pencil to make notes also suitable clothing for a day in one of the glens, as weather is unpredictable.