Nature Watch, with RON FREETHY

EACH year for the last four years I have spent some time in Scotland on the lookout for wild cats. Last week I tried again. On my first day I watched red deer for long periods and although I was shown a lair used by wild cats I was not successful.

For two nights I sat watching lairs and only succeeded in getting wet.

The third night was warm and clear but seemed to be full of huge midges. Just as I was about to give up two wild cats emerged from a pile of rocks. I was sitting above them and the wind was blowing from them to me. I suppose I was lucky but I deserved something for almost getting "'etten to death" by midges wearing hob-nailed boots. Ouch!

The Scottish wild cat should be regarded not as a pretty big tom cat but as a small tiger. Over most of Britain the wild cat has been hunted to extinction but a look at an OS map will reveal where they used to live. There is a hill above Keswick which is called Catbells and between Nelson and Burnley on the old road is Catlow Bottoms. Both of these names are self-explanatory.

By the time I had finished cat watching it was almost light and as I descended the hills above Pitlochry I caught sight of a fine specimen of a red deer stag. The stags are now beginning to show fine sets of antlers and by the time of the rutting season which is in September, October and early November the stags will be formidable, beautiful and dangerous.

There are times when both red deer and the Scottish wild cat need to be given a wide berth unless you know what you are doing. I took careful advice from the local naturalists and for the first time in four years I was rewarded.

When I got to my base the local naturalists were just as thrilled as I was. They asked if I could stay an extra day and they would show the nest of a golden eagle. There was no way I was going to miss this so off I went.

I have seen the Lake District Eagles and I have seen them around the Hebrides. Here, however, I not only saw the nest but watched a really spectacular flying display as food was brought by the parents to the nest.

I don't think I will go to Scotland next year. I can't be that lucky!