So far during March we have encountered all manners of weather, thankfully though in comparison to January and February there has been an increase in good weather days. During the start of the month, we had beautiful blue skies and even a fresh dumping of snow. The reindeer have been amicable, meaning that our walks out to collect them in the morning have been a bit easier than the previous months; once they find a good patch to graze on it can be hard to move them again and as you can imagine there is fresh grazing begining to sprout on the mountain side.
It is usual in March for some of our younger reindeer to come down to lower ground at our secondary site and in return a handful of reindeer were returned to us here at Cairngorm. The most important being Winnie of course- she has been missed!
Over the last month our cows have began to lose their antlers and there are now a few of our girls walking around with no antlers on their head. By the end of the month, Ryvita, one of our 16 year old females has began to grow a new set!
4th of March: Celidh with Mum Glacee on her right. These two are definitely continuing their families fiesty character.6th of March: Fresh snow fall means that most grazing is covered. Thankfully pip’s fluffy nose is protecting her from the effects of the cold.6th of March: Winnie is back!!8th of March: Ryvita and Vienna leading the herd on our way to the visit spot. In previous years, Vienna was often found at the back of the herd, not this year, she is pretty determined to make sure she is at the front of the group.15th of March: After almost a week a way from work it was a wet morning to collect reindeer. Here is a very soggy Lapsang.15th of March: Fox trot and Oro are questioning their choices at the back of the herd during the morning walk to the visit spot.17th of March: Moving left to right- Peanut, Polka, Pip and Lolly all eating off the feed line during todays Hill Trip – it was a blustery one!18th of March: We are hitting the time of the year were our female reindeer are begining to lose their antlers. Here is Lapsang again with only one antler.18th of March: Christie also sporting one antler with Mississippi behind.22nd of March: Our christmas elves are observing the office and making sure we are working hard!25th of March: Bordeaux and Zambezi waiting patiently for extra feed after the Hill Trip.26th of March: Fika (one of our young females, born in 2024) first in line for the morning feed! 26th of March: Ryvita showing off that her new antlers have begun to grow. 26th of March: Finishing up with a picture of Alba, who is currently at our secondary site, as we cannot mention Winnie without including Alba! As the girls have matured they have forged their own paths in the herd and it isn’t very often that we find them both together.
November has whizzed by. Even more so because I took a week off at the beginning of the month. Don’t worry though, this blog has just as many photos in as normal!
When I left at the end of October the rut was still underway for a couple of our breeding bulls. On my return the rut was well and truly over, and sleigh training had started! One reason I love this job is that every season is different with new things happening every few weeks.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy this snapshot of November. The snowy days were some of my favourites!
13th of November: Morven with her crazy curly antlers!13th of November: I’ve only just noticed Beanie and Quickstep (Pinto’s calf) have matching coloured hooves!13th of November: Sleigh training on a soggy afternoon in Glenmore. Kulfi and Jester at the back.14th of November: Kulfi and Jester in the Paddocks. Kulfi drinking from the burn that flows through their night-time (off show) enclosure.14th of November: Six-month-old Jig looking handsome! He’s Chickpea’s calf.14th of November: Beautiful Beret on a cold morning.14th of November: Salsa and her mum Sundae behind. 15th of November: My first Christmas event of the season in Buckie. The team were amazing. 17th of November: I helped out on a photoshoot trying to get the reindeer into position for two models. Kernel, Zoom and Dr Seuss were very obliging… if food was on the cards!18th of November: Reindeer on the ski road! A regular sight at this time of year. 18th of November: Sanna and Tiree keeping me warm in the lorry.18th of November: Sleigh training in the snow! Zoom pulling for the very first time alongside Mivvi. 20th of November: Snow has arrived!! Alba looking amazing. 20th of November: Florence leading the herd through the snow. 20th of November: More snowy reindeer – they’re all so stunning. This is Popsicle closest to camera and Cheer behind. 20th of November: Vanilla camouflaged for the first time since last winter!21st of November: Haka suckling from his mum Christie. 21st of November: Another white reindeer in the snow! This time six-month-old Morris.22nd of November: Patchy snow on the hill this morning after a warmer spell. This is Oro who potentially has the best tuft of all calves this year. He belongs to Emmental. 22nd of November: Sorbet and daughter Ballet sharing a pile of food. 27th of November: Cicero patiently waiting for breakfast.27th of November: Some of this year’s gorgeous calves Bolero, Waltz, Lochi, and Foxtrot’s nose!
