Red + Sika Deer in the Highlands

[dilb0]

Hi All,

I am looking to get out this weekend to snap some photos of reds and sika.

Where in scotland do I have the highest chances of seeing either species at this time of year ?

Any help would be much appreciated.


Cheers

 

[takbok]

A lot of sika in the fields around Whitebridge (South of Inverness ) that you can see from the road. I was last there a couple years ago.

 

[opticron1]

If you want something a little closer, try Kirkmichael in Perthshire and follow the Cateran Trail towards Bridge of Cally. The other option would be go across to the Isle of Arran, but that will be ....err...dependant on the mythical ferries and Calmac! This is for Reds, as I've not seen Sika around Perthshire, but I'm sure they'll be around...

 

[NullMac]

If you want something a little closer, try Kirkmichael in Perthshire and follow the Cateran Trail towards Bridge of Cally. The other option would be go across to the Isle of Arran, but that will be ....err...dependant on the mythical ferries and Calmac! This is for Reds, as I've not seen Sika around Perthshire, but I'm sure they'll be around...

Well if you go to the Bridge Of Cally Hotel carpark. Go up the trail from there. Take the immediate left fork towards Blairgowrie. As you come up to the Higher more open ground (not far) there are often Fallow on the near moor. A bit further out towards the lochan there are usually (but not always!) a wee herd of Red. It is proper wet up there to make sure your feet are suitably attired. If you fancy a 5-6 mile hike across the moor in a loop back to the Hotel then keep going towards Blairgowrie (wet) then turn right at the sign post which will take you back towards the big forest. There are always Fallow and Red kicking about. Usually a few Roe as well. A thermal will help. When you get to the forest just follow the track back along then keep going downhill and you will come out back at the Hotel. Keep your eyes open for Harriers.

Up the road to Kirchmichael there are usually Fallow towards the Kirchmichael end in the fields near the road. An easier option on the feet! I have seen Red there as well but not very often.

Sika are a different kettle of fish. I don't think I have ever seen one in the wild except when I have been actively stalking them. My current experience is that I am only seeing them in the morning and from absolute first light (not dawn) for maybe 2 hours after max. Good luck wi that.

Sika down the M74 corridor Moffat way and across into Dumfries and Galloway.

 

[dilb0]

Well if you go to the Bridge Of Cally Hotel carpark. Go up the trail from there. Take the immediate left fork towards Blairgowrie. As you come up to the Higher more open ground (not far) there are often Fallow on the near moor. A bit further out towards the lochan there are usually (but not always!) a wee herd of Red. It is proper wet up there to make sure your feet are suitably attired. If you fancy a 5-6 mile hike across the moor in a loop back to the Hotel then keep going towards Blairgowrie (wet) then turn right at the sign post which will take you back towards the big forest. There are always Fallow and Red kicking about. Usually a few Roe as well. A thermal will help. When you get to the forest just follow the track back along then keep going downhill and you will come out back at the Hotel. Keep your eyes open for Harriers.

Up the road to Kirchmichael there are usually Fallow towards the Kirchmichael end in the fields near the road. An easier option on the feet! I have seen Red there as well but not very often.

Sika are a different kettle of fish. I don't think I have ever seen one in the wild except when I have been actively stalking them. My current experience is that I am only seeing them in the morning and from absolute first light (not dawn) for maybe 2 hours after max. Good luck wi that.

Sika down the M74 corridor Moffat way and across into Dumfries and Galloway.

Great advice thanks alot! Think I will take a walk up by the hotel and hopefully spot some fallow aswell!

 

[shoppe]

Still a lot of stuff from the A9 road to whitebridge

 

[Mungo]

Hi All,

I am looking to get out this weekend to snap some photos of reds and sika.

Where in scotland do I have the highest chances of seeing either species at this time of year ?

Any help would be much appreciated.


Cheers

If you just want photos of deer, would a captive herd work?

 

[Foxyboy43]

Well if you go to the Bridge Of Cally Hotel carpark. Go up the trail from there. Take the immediate left fork towards Blairgowrie. As you come up to the Higher more open ground (not far) there are often Fallow on the near moor. A bit further out towards the lochan there are usually (but not always!) a wee herd of Red. It is proper wet up there to make sure your feet are suitably attired. If you fancy a 5-6 mile hike across the moor in a loop back to the Hotel then keep going towards Blairgowrie (wet) then turn right at the sign post which will take you back towards the big forest. There are always Fallow and Red kicking about. Usually a few Roe as well. A thermal will help. When you get to the forest just follow the track back along then keep going downhill and you will come out back at the Hotel. Keep your eyes open for Harriers.

Up the road to Kirchmichael there are usually Fallow towards the Kirchmichael end in the fields near the road. An easier option on the feet! I have seen Red there as well but not very often.

Sika are a different kettle of fish. I don't think I have ever seen one in the wild except when I have been actively stalking them. My current experience is that I am only seeing them in the morning and from absolute first light (not dawn) for maybe 2 hours after max. Good luck wi that.

Sika down the M74 corridor Moffat way and across into Dumfries and Galloway.

Yep and as you reach Kirkmichael from BoC direction turn right at the memorial - within a mile or so you should see roe especially in the lhs low ground and maybe even the odd fallow in the rhs fields.
If you want easy reds continue on (past Ashintully Castle gates) for a couple of miles til you hit the T-junction, turn left and head Glenshee direction until you see the rhs Glenisla turn off - take it and a few hundred yards downhill lhs is a captive herd right by the roadside - you will know them because they all have singed faces from many, many camera flashes…..
Then come back up to the Glenshee road but turn right and a few miles along on the rhs is a nice little cafe. After lunch head back towards BoC/Blairgowrie but don’t turn off for Kirkmichael; soon you will see on your rhs the Persie Gin Distillery - pass it if you dare…..
This is Foxyboy, News at Ten, Perthshire (I wish!)

 

[NickJ]

If you want something a little closer, try Kirkmichael in Perthshire and follow the Cateran Trail towards Bridge of Cally. The other option would be go across to the Isle of Arran, but that will be ....err...dependant on the mythical ferries and Calmac! This is for Reds, as I've not seen Sika around Perthshire, but I'm sure they'll be around...

No sika there....yet

 

[NickJ]

It might be an obvious thing to say but it's probably the worst time of year to photograph deer, although you can get close to them (as they are hungry and out of season note: the males are to most at least..) they are not looking their best. The stags will have mainly cast their antlers and they are starting to change their coats so look very scruffy

I'd say Invernesshire or Argyll best for both species