Things to look out for over the winter on Atholl Estates

Red Deer

Wild red deer can be much easier to see in winter, because they come down from the high tops to find more shelter from the wild weather. Herds often also join together at this time, so it is not unusual to see a herd of many hundreds of stags or hinds. The deer often find wet and windy winter days much harder to survive than very cold and clear weather.

Red Squirrels

Red squirrels do not hibernate. However, in winter they spend more time sleeping and sheltering in their dreys, and you are only likely to see them on fine days. The squirrels here have done very well this year, and we think many of them may have had a second litter of kittens over the summer of 2007. Many of these youngsters will probably not survive the winter though.

Salmon

Salmon spawn through the earlier months of the winter, laying many thousands of eggs in upland streams and rivers in the area. Most of the fish die after mating or spawning, but a few may return to the sea to repeat the spawning cycle again.

Bats and hedgehogs

Bats, hedgehogs and many other smaller creatures hibernate over the winter. However, if it is mild, bats or hedgehogs may be seen out feeding. But if you see them on a cold day, it means they have woken up as their fat reserves are dangerously low, and they probably won’t survive.