Capercaillie Dust Bath at Abernethy

A Window on a Vanishing Bird

The capercaillie is one of the rarest breeding birds in Britain, clinging to a handful of Scottish pinewoods. This camera looks onto one of several dust baths on the reserve, shallow scrapes the birds use to keep their plumage in condition.

The Caledonian Pine Forest

RSPB Abernethy protects a remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest, a mosaic of Scots pine, juniper, heather and boggy hollows. The rich understorey visible here shelters countless insects, mammals and ground-nesting birds.

Conservation in Action

Funded by the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, the feed supports work to restructure plantations, manage grazing and reduce predation, all aimed at reversing the species' decline across the Cairngorms.

What You Might See

Sightings are never guaranteed, but patient viewers may glimpse a displaying cock, a hen leading chicks, or the many other creatures that share this quiet corner of the Highlands.