birdman
Sunday 27th March 2005, 22:40
Day 2 - Monday 21st March 2005
Today it dawned grey again, but this time the cloud base was high, and therefore of no hindrance to birding. In fact, had we had today’s weather last year we would have thought ourselves fortunate. Only the recent warm spell made us think today was “a bit cool”. As it was, the temperature was between 8 and 10 degrees throughout the day, and the rain stayed away.
We decided to stay east, and eventually our day was very similar to one last year.
We took a generally circular route as far north as Golspie, our first stop of the day being a quick scan over the Mussel Scalps from Tain.
After having added Pheasant (Easag) - heard - to the cabin list, we soon caught up with Buzzard and Coal Tit, before leaving the cabin drive. Rook and Herring Gull (Faoileag An Sgadain) were added soon after.
Tain itself brought us Curlew, Oystercatcher and Mute Swan offshore, with good numbers of Black-headed Gull (Faoileag A’chinn Duibh) and ducks; Goldeneye, Mallard (Lach), Wigeon and Shelduck.
Redshank were also patrolling the muddy shore, while Blackbird (Lon Dubh), Greenfinch (Glaisean Daraich) and Pied Wagtail were around the car park.
After our brief stop at Tain, we continued on towards Loch Fleet, stopping off first (as last year) at Embo, to try to catch up with some sea-ducks. Again, as last year, it’s just the wrong time of year for any good numbers, so hopes whilst raised were not unduly high.
The sea was rather choppy, and on a couple of occasions breached the end of the pier.
Across the sand, on the rocky outcrops, were yet more Oystercatchers, along with Herring Gulls and Cormorants and a Hooded Crow on the beach by the dunes.
Then, in the surf, I noticed two birds were on the water, and I was able to focus my ’scope on them. Yes! Long-tailed Duck (Eun Buchainn) - a lifer for both partnyorsha and myself! I spent a good half hour or more trying to obtain photographic evidence, achieving just two frames of any note. Still - that’s two more than I had before!
That was the end of the action at Embo, so leaving, with Skylarks singing and Pied Wagtails calling, we moved on to the lay-by on Loch Fleet beneath the ruins of Skelbo Castle.
Much of the same activity as at Embo, with the addition of some Feral Pigeon , a few hauled up seals, a Buzzard perched on the ruins and after spending some time looking over the loch, two Red-breasted Merganser males displaying to a disinterested redhead.
Travelling on around the loch towards Golspie, we added Grey Heron and more gulls. A stop at The Mound brought more of the same (25 Shelduck here) whilst the continuing journey to Golspie brought another Buzzard and a small gaggle of Greylag Goose (Geadh Glas).
The visit to Golspie was intended to avail us a woodland walk, but on our arrival at the car park, we were greeted by reconstruction of the footpaths and so we satisfied ourselves with the addition of Blackbird and Great Tit and decided to return back to the cabin via Srath Carnaig.
Birdwise, we added Starling (Druid) and Fulmar - the Creag An Amalaidh colony of the latter. After Loch Buidhe a couple of Redpoll (Dearcan Seilich) and some Stonechat were seen atop the fenceposts, whilst Wren (Dreathan Donn),amongst others unidentified, were singing lustily in the trees. In addition, more Greylag Geese with airborne antics from Curlew and Lapwing (Carracag).
Before Bonar Bridge we were able to include Chaffinch, Hooded and Carrion Crows, Buzzard, Robin and Starling.
We stopped at Bonar Bridge to view the Kyle of Sutherland, where we added much of the usual stuff, including yet more Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, Curlew and Oystercatchers. Common Gull (Faoileag) were in the fields at the waterside.
I was lucky to get good long views of a bird on the water, after which (and I hope the photographic evidence to back me up) I came round to the feeling that it was a sub-adult Red-throated Diver (Learga Ruadh). The plumage, at the distance involved, wasn’t quite right, but I just got he overall “feeling” of “diver” and “red-throated” was most convincing. The more I think about it, that happier I am, but I would be grateful for any outside assistance from BFland.
After the time taken to id this birds, we decided to make our return to the cabin. Nothing else new to add, but a nice end to a pleasing day.
Tomorrow, with luck, we head west - although we could yet be rained off!!!
Day 3 - Tuesday 22nd March 2005
There seems to have been a change in the weather. The expected rain passed though overnight, and today promises to be largely fine and rather mild.
The cabin visitors were a little later this morning, and not so varied. This was more than made up foe, however, with the arrival of at least seven Siskin (Gealag Bhuidhe). An overflying Grey Heron to the cabin list up to 9, not including the daily raucous, but unidentified gulls.
As the weather was set fair, we decided to take a trip across to Assynt.
A reasonable selection of the usual was picked up within 20 minutes, before adding a Bullfinch (Corcan-coille) with suicidal tendencies. Sat in the opposite lane, it chose to make a dash for it as we passed, sending our hearts aflutter, but enabling us to get (oncoming) views from about 18 inches!!!
We travelled on through Bonar Bridge, before heading west via Strath Oykel.
Not far from Invershin we saw a small flock of Canada Goose (Geadh Dubh), soon followed by another feeding gaggle, probably Pink-feet - although we couldn’t be sure. Further sightings along this stretch were Mute Swan, Goldeneye, Yellowhammer and Siskin, with Curlew and Starling thrown in for good measure, along with a group of four or five Tufted Duck (Lach Thopach).
On reaching Loch Craggie we came across the first of the day’s divers. Initially, I thought it was a Black-throat, but ultimately the id proved to be unconvincing. I spent a fair amount of time trying, unsuccessfully, to photograph this bird, but it remains “one that got away”.
After this, we continued to Ledmore and then northward towards Skiag Bridge, there turning north again before taken a left onto the B869 and following the northern Assynt Coast in the direction of Drumbeg.
The main attraction of Drumbeg was the scenery, but he birds were represented.
Pipits were around, performing their song flights, although I did not get a good enough look to help determine their ids, and I’m still no good at the songs! Partnyorsha spotted a beautiful spring-plumaged Wheatear (Bru Gheal), close to the roadside.
We drove from Drumbeg, quickly spotting another diver on Loch Drumbeg. This one turned out to be a Red-throat. After photographing it for the record (rather that any awards!) we moved on to Clashnessie.
Clashnessie Bay brought us some excellent sightings. First one, then at least two more Black Guillemot (Gearra-breac), about four Razorbill (Falc), two more Red-throated Divers and a Shag (Sgarbh An Sgumain) were close together on the water. Perhaps a dozen more Shag were sitting on a nearby rocky outcrop.
Whilst spending some time trying to gain suitably convincing pix of these, a Rock Pipit (Gabhagan) paid close attention to us. Very bold, and very obliging, it stayed just a short distance away from us, allowing plenty of time to id it and take photos.
I parked by the beach in Clashnessie whilst partnyorsha went for a stroll, as a few geese flew over, which she ided as Greylag. We then followed the route around until rejoining the A-road, making the short detour to Lochinver, here adding House Sparrow, Great Tit, Greenfinch and Red-breasted Merganser.
It was now time to make the journey back to the cabin, as darkness was slowly starting to fall. We, at long last, saw our first Red Deer of the holiday (we would see many more now that the floodgates were open!), and added Blue Tit and Cormorant to the day’s birds during a tea-stop at Loch Borralan.
Part 3 here (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=30508)
Today it dawned grey again, but this time the cloud base was high, and therefore of no hindrance to birding. In fact, had we had today’s weather last year we would have thought ourselves fortunate. Only the recent warm spell made us think today was “a bit cool”. As it was, the temperature was between 8 and 10 degrees throughout the day, and the rain stayed away.
We decided to stay east, and eventually our day was very similar to one last year.
We took a generally circular route as far north as Golspie, our first stop of the day being a quick scan over the Mussel Scalps from Tain.
After having added Pheasant (Easag) - heard - to the cabin list, we soon caught up with Buzzard and Coal Tit, before leaving the cabin drive. Rook and Herring Gull (Faoileag An Sgadain) were added soon after.
Tain itself brought us Curlew, Oystercatcher and Mute Swan offshore, with good numbers of Black-headed Gull (Faoileag A’chinn Duibh) and ducks; Goldeneye, Mallard (Lach), Wigeon and Shelduck.
Redshank were also patrolling the muddy shore, while Blackbird (Lon Dubh), Greenfinch (Glaisean Daraich) and Pied Wagtail were around the car park.
After our brief stop at Tain, we continued on towards Loch Fleet, stopping off first (as last year) at Embo, to try to catch up with some sea-ducks. Again, as last year, it’s just the wrong time of year for any good numbers, so hopes whilst raised were not unduly high.
The sea was rather choppy, and on a couple of occasions breached the end of the pier.
Across the sand, on the rocky outcrops, were yet more Oystercatchers, along with Herring Gulls and Cormorants and a Hooded Crow on the beach by the dunes.
Then, in the surf, I noticed two birds were on the water, and I was able to focus my ’scope on them. Yes! Long-tailed Duck (Eun Buchainn) - a lifer for both partnyorsha and myself! I spent a good half hour or more trying to obtain photographic evidence, achieving just two frames of any note. Still - that’s two more than I had before!
That was the end of the action at Embo, so leaving, with Skylarks singing and Pied Wagtails calling, we moved on to the lay-by on Loch Fleet beneath the ruins of Skelbo Castle.
Much of the same activity as at Embo, with the addition of some Feral Pigeon , a few hauled up seals, a Buzzard perched on the ruins and after spending some time looking over the loch, two Red-breasted Merganser males displaying to a disinterested redhead.
Travelling on around the loch towards Golspie, we added Grey Heron and more gulls. A stop at The Mound brought more of the same (25 Shelduck here) whilst the continuing journey to Golspie brought another Buzzard and a small gaggle of Greylag Goose (Geadh Glas).
The visit to Golspie was intended to avail us a woodland walk, but on our arrival at the car park, we were greeted by reconstruction of the footpaths and so we satisfied ourselves with the addition of Blackbird and Great Tit and decided to return back to the cabin via Srath Carnaig.
Birdwise, we added Starling (Druid) and Fulmar - the Creag An Amalaidh colony of the latter. After Loch Buidhe a couple of Redpoll (Dearcan Seilich) and some Stonechat were seen atop the fenceposts, whilst Wren (Dreathan Donn),amongst others unidentified, were singing lustily in the trees. In addition, more Greylag Geese with airborne antics from Curlew and Lapwing (Carracag).
Before Bonar Bridge we were able to include Chaffinch, Hooded and Carrion Crows, Buzzard, Robin and Starling.
We stopped at Bonar Bridge to view the Kyle of Sutherland, where we added much of the usual stuff, including yet more Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, Curlew and Oystercatchers. Common Gull (Faoileag) were in the fields at the waterside.
I was lucky to get good long views of a bird on the water, after which (and I hope the photographic evidence to back me up) I came round to the feeling that it was a sub-adult Red-throated Diver (Learga Ruadh). The plumage, at the distance involved, wasn’t quite right, but I just got he overall “feeling” of “diver” and “red-throated” was most convincing. The more I think about it, that happier I am, but I would be grateful for any outside assistance from BFland.
After the time taken to id this birds, we decided to make our return to the cabin. Nothing else new to add, but a nice end to a pleasing day.
Tomorrow, with luck, we head west - although we could yet be rained off!!!
Day 3 - Tuesday 22nd March 2005
There seems to have been a change in the weather. The expected rain passed though overnight, and today promises to be largely fine and rather mild.
The cabin visitors were a little later this morning, and not so varied. This was more than made up foe, however, with the arrival of at least seven Siskin (Gealag Bhuidhe). An overflying Grey Heron to the cabin list up to 9, not including the daily raucous, but unidentified gulls.
As the weather was set fair, we decided to take a trip across to Assynt.
A reasonable selection of the usual was picked up within 20 minutes, before adding a Bullfinch (Corcan-coille) with suicidal tendencies. Sat in the opposite lane, it chose to make a dash for it as we passed, sending our hearts aflutter, but enabling us to get (oncoming) views from about 18 inches!!!
We travelled on through Bonar Bridge, before heading west via Strath Oykel.
Not far from Invershin we saw a small flock of Canada Goose (Geadh Dubh), soon followed by another feeding gaggle, probably Pink-feet - although we couldn’t be sure. Further sightings along this stretch were Mute Swan, Goldeneye, Yellowhammer and Siskin, with Curlew and Starling thrown in for good measure, along with a group of four or five Tufted Duck (Lach Thopach).
On reaching Loch Craggie we came across the first of the day’s divers. Initially, I thought it was a Black-throat, but ultimately the id proved to be unconvincing. I spent a fair amount of time trying, unsuccessfully, to photograph this bird, but it remains “one that got away”.
After this, we continued to Ledmore and then northward towards Skiag Bridge, there turning north again before taken a left onto the B869 and following the northern Assynt Coast in the direction of Drumbeg.
The main attraction of Drumbeg was the scenery, but he birds were represented.
Pipits were around, performing their song flights, although I did not get a good enough look to help determine their ids, and I’m still no good at the songs! Partnyorsha spotted a beautiful spring-plumaged Wheatear (Bru Gheal), close to the roadside.
We drove from Drumbeg, quickly spotting another diver on Loch Drumbeg. This one turned out to be a Red-throat. After photographing it for the record (rather that any awards!) we moved on to Clashnessie.
Clashnessie Bay brought us some excellent sightings. First one, then at least two more Black Guillemot (Gearra-breac), about four Razorbill (Falc), two more Red-throated Divers and a Shag (Sgarbh An Sgumain) were close together on the water. Perhaps a dozen more Shag were sitting on a nearby rocky outcrop.
Whilst spending some time trying to gain suitably convincing pix of these, a Rock Pipit (Gabhagan) paid close attention to us. Very bold, and very obliging, it stayed just a short distance away from us, allowing plenty of time to id it and take photos.
I parked by the beach in Clashnessie whilst partnyorsha went for a stroll, as a few geese flew over, which she ided as Greylag. We then followed the route around until rejoining the A-road, making the short detour to Lochinver, here adding House Sparrow, Great Tit, Greenfinch and Red-breasted Merganser.
It was now time to make the journey back to the cabin, as darkness was slowly starting to fall. We, at long last, saw our first Red Deer of the holiday (we would see many more now that the floodgates were open!), and added Blue Tit and Cormorant to the day’s birds during a tea-stop at Loch Borralan.
Part 3 here (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=30508)