birdman
Sunday 27th March 2005, 22:37
Scotland 2005
A similar trip to last year, so I’ve decided to do my report in a similar way. It’s a bit long, I’m afraid, but I hope it isn’t too dry!
Day 0 - Saturday 19th March 2005
We drove up from home to Invergordon once again in a single long day. The weather was mostly pleasant, although cloudy at times, and the bird selection was much of the expected urban and semi-urban fayre – at least until we were close to our destination.
In actual fact, we did have a surprise sighting not too far from home, as we saw two Red Kites flying close to the cricket field in the West Yorkshire village of Arthington.
Obviously part of the recent release scheme, I was torn as to whether they should become an early addition to the “official” holiday list. Arbitrarily, we use the border as the “cut-off” point when travelling Scotland, so strictly speaking, no, but in light of the events of Friday to come, it isn’t too difficult a decision this time.
By this method, we miss out on the “English” Moorhens, none of whose number graced us with an appearance to the north.
As we began to travel through the South Eastern Highlands, we started to catch sight of a few Buzzard (Clamhan), and add to the steady stream of Oystercatcher (Gille Brighde) sightings that had begun north of Gretna.
A few large gulls and the presence of the first of the week’s Hooded Crow (Feannag) numbers marked the closing few miles of the journey.
Day 1 - Sunday 20th March 2005
First, the beginnings of the “cabin list”, and last year’s common species quickly re-occurred, that is Great Tit (Currac Bhain Tighearna), Blue Tit (Cailleachag Cheann Ghorm), Coal Tit (Smutag), Chaffinch (Breacan Beithe) and Robin (Bru Dhearg)… to which we also added Hooded Crow.
After yesterday’s long drive, the plan was for a local day, taking advantage of the glorious weather that had been forecast. Well, we barely managed 5 minutes without a heavy sea-fog! Visibility was sometimes less than 20 metres, and probably averaged about 100.
In spite of the poor conditions, we were able to gradually compile quite an interesting list on Day 1. En route to Tarbat Ness, we picked up “the usual” along with Red-legged Partridge (Cearc Thomain Dhearg Chasach) - close to Loch Eye - Collared Dove (Calman A Chrois) and Woodpigeon (Calman Fiadhaich).
Stopping at Portmahomack, we took a quick look over the harbour-cum-bay and added Jackdaw (Gathag) who were generally cavorting on the beach, and Goldeneye (Lach Bhreac) and Red-breasted Merganser (Siolta Dhearg) from the water.
Carrion Crow (Feannag) and Pied Wagtail (Mreac An T-sil) on the way to Tarbat Ness, where the car park was very much alive with activity. Ultimately, we were able to id Yellowhammer (Buidheag Bhealaidh), Dunnock (Gealbhonn Nam Preas) and Chaffinch whilst listening to some enthusiastic (in spite of the fog) Skylark (Uiseag).
Taking a look from the path leaving the car park, we caught four Cormorant (Sgarbh) “sunning” themselves on the rocks, and a Fulmar (Eun Crom) pair evidently nesting and definitely engaging in much bill-clapping. We also added to the list the first of the day’s Curlew (Guilbneach).
Taking the path to the tip of the Ness, whilst walking alongside the lighthouse wall, a number of LBJs evaded id, until one “pipitty” looking individual confirmed its id (to the best of my knowledge) with its “landing-gear down” song-flight descent, complete with spread tail and sufficiently convincing song to allow me to call it as a Tree Pipit (Riabhag). Certainly not alone, but according to the books, perhaps a little early, but the behaviour was enough to give me confidence in the id.
Through the enveloping mist, we managed to nail down a StonechatClacharan) along with Greater Black-backed Gull (Farspag). (
Staring all of 100 metres out to sea, we were extremely lucky to see three cetaceans. Now I’m certainly no expert, but the shape of the dorsal fin was close enough to the leaflet example back at the cabin, for one to believe these were three members of the local (and apparently the world’s most northerly) Bottlenose Dolphin family!
The weather wasn’t clearing, so rather than spend the expected few hours here, we drove down towards Hilton and Balintore. Adding (respectively) Redshank (Cam Ghlas) and House Sparrow (Gealbhonn).
We then decided to continue on to the RSPB hide at Nigg Bay. Here we added the expected Pink-footed Goose (Geadh Gorm)although they numbered “only” in the many, many hundreds, rather than the many, many thousands of last year.
Mute Swan (Eala), Rook (Rocas), Skylark, Yellowhammer, Curlew and Shelduck (Cra-gheadh) comprised or Nigg Bay haul.
We now need to fill-up, and headed towards Alness adding a couple of Grey Heron (Corra Ghritheach), some (up to now relatively infrequent) Buzzards, and after filling-up, whilst returning along the north coast of the Cromarty Firth, Wigeon (Glas Lach), Curlew, Redshank, Shelduck and another Red-breasted Merganser.
The fog was really rolling in and out, and it was now a case of picking up what we could when visibility improved, which we did here and there, but deciding to bring the day to an early end, we headed for the cabin… but not before adding one more new bird to the list, as we passed five Barnacle Goose (Cathan) in a roadside field.
Well, maybe the weather tomorrow will be better!
Part 2 here (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=297316#post297316)
A similar trip to last year, so I’ve decided to do my report in a similar way. It’s a bit long, I’m afraid, but I hope it isn’t too dry!
Day 0 - Saturday 19th March 2005
We drove up from home to Invergordon once again in a single long day. The weather was mostly pleasant, although cloudy at times, and the bird selection was much of the expected urban and semi-urban fayre – at least until we were close to our destination.
In actual fact, we did have a surprise sighting not too far from home, as we saw two Red Kites flying close to the cricket field in the West Yorkshire village of Arthington.
Obviously part of the recent release scheme, I was torn as to whether they should become an early addition to the “official” holiday list. Arbitrarily, we use the border as the “cut-off” point when travelling Scotland, so strictly speaking, no, but in light of the events of Friday to come, it isn’t too difficult a decision this time.
By this method, we miss out on the “English” Moorhens, none of whose number graced us with an appearance to the north.
As we began to travel through the South Eastern Highlands, we started to catch sight of a few Buzzard (Clamhan), and add to the steady stream of Oystercatcher (Gille Brighde) sightings that had begun north of Gretna.
A few large gulls and the presence of the first of the week’s Hooded Crow (Feannag) numbers marked the closing few miles of the journey.
Day 1 - Sunday 20th March 2005
First, the beginnings of the “cabin list”, and last year’s common species quickly re-occurred, that is Great Tit (Currac Bhain Tighearna), Blue Tit (Cailleachag Cheann Ghorm), Coal Tit (Smutag), Chaffinch (Breacan Beithe) and Robin (Bru Dhearg)… to which we also added Hooded Crow.
After yesterday’s long drive, the plan was for a local day, taking advantage of the glorious weather that had been forecast. Well, we barely managed 5 minutes without a heavy sea-fog! Visibility was sometimes less than 20 metres, and probably averaged about 100.
In spite of the poor conditions, we were able to gradually compile quite an interesting list on Day 1. En route to Tarbat Ness, we picked up “the usual” along with Red-legged Partridge (Cearc Thomain Dhearg Chasach) - close to Loch Eye - Collared Dove (Calman A Chrois) and Woodpigeon (Calman Fiadhaich).
Stopping at Portmahomack, we took a quick look over the harbour-cum-bay and added Jackdaw (Gathag) who were generally cavorting on the beach, and Goldeneye (Lach Bhreac) and Red-breasted Merganser (Siolta Dhearg) from the water.
Carrion Crow (Feannag) and Pied Wagtail (Mreac An T-sil) on the way to Tarbat Ness, where the car park was very much alive with activity. Ultimately, we were able to id Yellowhammer (Buidheag Bhealaidh), Dunnock (Gealbhonn Nam Preas) and Chaffinch whilst listening to some enthusiastic (in spite of the fog) Skylark (Uiseag).
Taking a look from the path leaving the car park, we caught four Cormorant (Sgarbh) “sunning” themselves on the rocks, and a Fulmar (Eun Crom) pair evidently nesting and definitely engaging in much bill-clapping. We also added to the list the first of the day’s Curlew (Guilbneach).
Taking the path to the tip of the Ness, whilst walking alongside the lighthouse wall, a number of LBJs evaded id, until one “pipitty” looking individual confirmed its id (to the best of my knowledge) with its “landing-gear down” song-flight descent, complete with spread tail and sufficiently convincing song to allow me to call it as a Tree Pipit (Riabhag). Certainly not alone, but according to the books, perhaps a little early, but the behaviour was enough to give me confidence in the id.
Through the enveloping mist, we managed to nail down a StonechatClacharan) along with Greater Black-backed Gull (Farspag). (
Staring all of 100 metres out to sea, we were extremely lucky to see three cetaceans. Now I’m certainly no expert, but the shape of the dorsal fin was close enough to the leaflet example back at the cabin, for one to believe these were three members of the local (and apparently the world’s most northerly) Bottlenose Dolphin family!
The weather wasn’t clearing, so rather than spend the expected few hours here, we drove down towards Hilton and Balintore. Adding (respectively) Redshank (Cam Ghlas) and House Sparrow (Gealbhonn).
We then decided to continue on to the RSPB hide at Nigg Bay. Here we added the expected Pink-footed Goose (Geadh Gorm)although they numbered “only” in the many, many hundreds, rather than the many, many thousands of last year.
Mute Swan (Eala), Rook (Rocas), Skylark, Yellowhammer, Curlew and Shelduck (Cra-gheadh) comprised or Nigg Bay haul.
We now need to fill-up, and headed towards Alness adding a couple of Grey Heron (Corra Ghritheach), some (up to now relatively infrequent) Buzzards, and after filling-up, whilst returning along the north coast of the Cromarty Firth, Wigeon (Glas Lach), Curlew, Redshank, Shelduck and another Red-breasted Merganser.
The fog was really rolling in and out, and it was now a case of picking up what we could when visibility improved, which we did here and there, but deciding to bring the day to an early end, we headed for the cabin… but not before adding one more new bird to the list, as we passed five Barnacle Goose (Cathan) in a roadside field.
Well, maybe the weather tomorrow will be better!
Part 2 here (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=297316#post297316)