birdman
Sunday 27th March 2005, 22:47
Day 4 - Wednesday 23rd March 2005
Today started blue, and the forecast promised more of the same all day.
A visiting Wren and an overflying Buzzard were the day’s cabin additions, and extra interest was added by a right royal robin ruckus on the verandah. Three combatants, but it was difficult to tell whether it was 2 vs1 or every bird for itself!
We had decided to return to the west coast, this time to Wester Ross.
Many of this week’s usual suspects showed themselves on our way to Kinlochewe. Here, after a brief “comfort break” we retraced our steps to Incheril, to set out on a short walk to the head of Loch Maree.
During our drive, the blue skies had turned to grey, and we had had spells of rain. So, we dressed appropriately for the walk, and so although rained on, we were suitably protected.
Not much was added in bird terms, with the outstanding exception of a brilliant Peregrine (Seabhag). Whilst it didn’t give us a full-blooded stoop as part of its flypast, it did fold its wings for a while, and tore across the sky like a bullet!!! Wonderful!
As we returned to the car, now somewhat overdressed, as the sun had re-emerged, we were treated to an expert chorus from a Song Thrush (Smeorach). Numerous pipits gave us the opportunity to improve our pipit voice id, and (with the aid of the cds in the car) we were able to recognise the singers as Meadow Pipit (Snathag).
Our drive continued, and we made our way to Gairloch. A tea/coffee break in the village, with fantastic views over Loch Gairloch, and then we continued further to Poolewe, and along the shore of Loch Ewe.
Loch Ewe brought us Oystercatchers and gulls, but also one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen. Truly breathtaking! One of the great things about the Scottish Highlands is the unbelievable scenery, which changes with every change of the light. We must have caught this just right, in the glorious late afternoon sunshine of an early Spring day. It was genuinely jaw-droppingly beautiful. If ever you are travelling north out of Poolewe, there is a car park viewpoint right on a bend that looks back towards the village, after two or three miles. Do yourself a favour!
Anyway, after taking both too many and not enough photos (!) we finally continued to Gruinard Bay. More Oystercatchers and also Black Guillemots, and another new addition being Great Northern Diver (Muir Bhuachaill) - three thereof.
And more views.
On any other day these would have been totally unbelievable, but after the Loch Ewe view, they were merely sensational.
We had stayed quite late, as the afternoon weather was superb, and drove back in the evening sun, with more fabulous scenery on the way. A fish ’n’ chip stop in Dingwall, a town that left a very favourable impression, and back to the cabin.
Day 5 - Thursday 24th March 2005
The promised rain had arrived, and on a very wet morning, we took the chance of a lazy start.
Outside the cabin, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Snagan Daraich), perhaps the one that had been drumming earlier in the week, showed itself, as did Blackbird, Bullfinch and Treecreeper (Snaigear). The cabin list is fairing quite well!
As the weather was supposed to be decidedly iffy, we decided that we would start late, do a bit of touristy shopping in Drumnadrochit, and, although we had a plan, “play it by ear” in the afternoon.
En route to Drumnadrochit, the rain came down worse than at any stage all week, but by the time we arrived, it had already cleared, and there was as much blue as grey in the sky. From then on, weatherwise, things just got better.
So we kept to “Plan A”, and after the shopping moved round to the south side of Loch Ness, to take a look at the Falls of Foyers, indulge in tea and a snack, and then see if we could catch the Slavonian Grebes at Loch Ruthven.
All in all we put together a very pleasing birdlist for the day, the highlights of which were a Red-throated Diver causing as start to four Greylag Geese on Loch Tarff, by surfacing in their midst, and later a Wheatear and some Curlew close to Loch Mhor, as we made our way to Loch Ruthven.
Arriving at Loch Ruthven we could not see any immediate sign of our target grebes, unlike last year when they were quickly obvious. Once more (as last year) the path was alive with frogs/toads (still don’t know which). Not as many as last year, when we counted more than 100, but still a couple of dozen or so. However, there were many more in the loch itself, calling away.
We made our way to the RSPB hide, where we had an early false alarm, sighting a Little Grebe (Sprŕg-ri-tňn).
And that was about it. A couple of Goldeneye, and (it became evident) thousands (?) of frogs/toads chirruping and croaking away.
Half an hour or more passed, and the light was fading, then partnyorsha spotted a dark bird, which though the ’scope, resolved into a Slavonian Grebe (Gobhlachan Mara) in Summer garb. At last!
Far across the loch, and having appeared from “nowhere”, we soon noticed two grebes displaying - perhaps the original bird plus one, or maybe two others. Then they separated, dived in unison, and disappeared from view.
Not exactly mind-blowing stuff, but enjoyable nonetheless, and who can complain about any Slavonian grebe sighting!!!
Day 6 - Friday 25th March 2005
The promised forecast of wall to wall sunshine for Good Friday, had gradually petered out during the week to sunny spells… the reality brought a dull, drizzly day - at least where we were!!! Nothing new visited the cabin, but a pleasing revisit from a couple of Siskins brightened the gloom.
We revisited Wester Ross, this time heading towards the village of Torridon (of the Sandstone fame) on the shores of Upper Loch Torridon. It will come as no surprise to hear that we caught up with a few old favourites en route, although the damp weather kept the viewing opportunities to a minimum.
Arriving at Torridon, the first sighting was a Hooded Crow, shortly followed by a Robin. Looking out over the loch head, we noticed a few gulls, Herring and Common, a Curlew and a Greenshank (Deoch Bhuidhe). Oystercatchers and Greater Black-backs were on a distant (in the murk) outcrop, along with a Shag. On the water itself were at least two more Shag, and also a couple of Slavonian Grebes!
A walk/drive along the shore to Lower Diabaig and back added Great Tit and Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail and Blackbird, Grey Heron and Wren, Wheatear and Song Thrush.
The weather was not improving, so we decided to go for coffee and cakes in Applecross. A few distant views of Shag and gulls out at sea were supplemented by a wider selection in Applecross Bay, including Curlew, Shag, Red-throated Diver and Eider (Lach Lochlannach). A quartet of Greylag Geese were noticed as we left.
Our return to the cabin was to be via Bealach nam Bň. I’ve done the drive up before, so felt no need to prove myself today, deliberately choosing to travel anticlockwise around the Applecross peninsula, allowing a drive down the steep bit!
Greater Black-backed gulls were seen as we passed through Lochcarron and a stop at Loch Gowan brought Whooper Swan (Eala Bhan), Mallard, Oystercatcher and Cormorant, with a Pied Wagtail fluttering around.
And finally, as the evening gloom was closing in, along with a Coot (Lach A Bhlair) and a Grey Heron, we saw a Red Kite (Clamhan Gobhlach) as we were leaving Strathpeffer. See! Not a difficult decision in the end!
Day 7 - Saturday 26th March 2005
Well, home today, so didn’t expect to be adding anything to the list, but a Carrion Crow and a Goldfinch (Lasair Choille) were both seen from the cabin, the latter the first of the week.
Then, as we were driving home, the murk cleared for a short while, and we paid an impromptu visit to Loch Tummel. As we were sitting enjoying the woodland birdsong, we heard the telltale yaffle of a Green Woodpecker (Snagarach). Still well inside our arbitrary “border” boundary, we were happy to add this to the list. Like wise the Magpie (Cadhag) we added in Glasgow, and the sightings of Kestrel (Clamhan Ruadh) made before reaching England.
In total, we picked up 75 “official” birds on this trip, which (I’ll have to check) is perhaps a couple fewer than last year, but this time we both ided everything at least once, and got a lifer with the Long-tailed Duck.
Thanks for seeing this through!
:t:
Today started blue, and the forecast promised more of the same all day.
A visiting Wren and an overflying Buzzard were the day’s cabin additions, and extra interest was added by a right royal robin ruckus on the verandah. Three combatants, but it was difficult to tell whether it was 2 vs1 or every bird for itself!
We had decided to return to the west coast, this time to Wester Ross.
Many of this week’s usual suspects showed themselves on our way to Kinlochewe. Here, after a brief “comfort break” we retraced our steps to Incheril, to set out on a short walk to the head of Loch Maree.
During our drive, the blue skies had turned to grey, and we had had spells of rain. So, we dressed appropriately for the walk, and so although rained on, we were suitably protected.
Not much was added in bird terms, with the outstanding exception of a brilliant Peregrine (Seabhag). Whilst it didn’t give us a full-blooded stoop as part of its flypast, it did fold its wings for a while, and tore across the sky like a bullet!!! Wonderful!
As we returned to the car, now somewhat overdressed, as the sun had re-emerged, we were treated to an expert chorus from a Song Thrush (Smeorach). Numerous pipits gave us the opportunity to improve our pipit voice id, and (with the aid of the cds in the car) we were able to recognise the singers as Meadow Pipit (Snathag).
Our drive continued, and we made our way to Gairloch. A tea/coffee break in the village, with fantastic views over Loch Gairloch, and then we continued further to Poolewe, and along the shore of Loch Ewe.
Loch Ewe brought us Oystercatchers and gulls, but also one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen. Truly breathtaking! One of the great things about the Scottish Highlands is the unbelievable scenery, which changes with every change of the light. We must have caught this just right, in the glorious late afternoon sunshine of an early Spring day. It was genuinely jaw-droppingly beautiful. If ever you are travelling north out of Poolewe, there is a car park viewpoint right on a bend that looks back towards the village, after two or three miles. Do yourself a favour!
Anyway, after taking both too many and not enough photos (!) we finally continued to Gruinard Bay. More Oystercatchers and also Black Guillemots, and another new addition being Great Northern Diver (Muir Bhuachaill) - three thereof.
And more views.
On any other day these would have been totally unbelievable, but after the Loch Ewe view, they were merely sensational.
We had stayed quite late, as the afternoon weather was superb, and drove back in the evening sun, with more fabulous scenery on the way. A fish ’n’ chip stop in Dingwall, a town that left a very favourable impression, and back to the cabin.
Day 5 - Thursday 24th March 2005
The promised rain had arrived, and on a very wet morning, we took the chance of a lazy start.
Outside the cabin, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Snagan Daraich), perhaps the one that had been drumming earlier in the week, showed itself, as did Blackbird, Bullfinch and Treecreeper (Snaigear). The cabin list is fairing quite well!
As the weather was supposed to be decidedly iffy, we decided that we would start late, do a bit of touristy shopping in Drumnadrochit, and, although we had a plan, “play it by ear” in the afternoon.
En route to Drumnadrochit, the rain came down worse than at any stage all week, but by the time we arrived, it had already cleared, and there was as much blue as grey in the sky. From then on, weatherwise, things just got better.
So we kept to “Plan A”, and after the shopping moved round to the south side of Loch Ness, to take a look at the Falls of Foyers, indulge in tea and a snack, and then see if we could catch the Slavonian Grebes at Loch Ruthven.
All in all we put together a very pleasing birdlist for the day, the highlights of which were a Red-throated Diver causing as start to four Greylag Geese on Loch Tarff, by surfacing in their midst, and later a Wheatear and some Curlew close to Loch Mhor, as we made our way to Loch Ruthven.
Arriving at Loch Ruthven we could not see any immediate sign of our target grebes, unlike last year when they were quickly obvious. Once more (as last year) the path was alive with frogs/toads (still don’t know which). Not as many as last year, when we counted more than 100, but still a couple of dozen or so. However, there were many more in the loch itself, calling away.
We made our way to the RSPB hide, where we had an early false alarm, sighting a Little Grebe (Sprŕg-ri-tňn).
And that was about it. A couple of Goldeneye, and (it became evident) thousands (?) of frogs/toads chirruping and croaking away.
Half an hour or more passed, and the light was fading, then partnyorsha spotted a dark bird, which though the ’scope, resolved into a Slavonian Grebe (Gobhlachan Mara) in Summer garb. At last!
Far across the loch, and having appeared from “nowhere”, we soon noticed two grebes displaying - perhaps the original bird plus one, or maybe two others. Then they separated, dived in unison, and disappeared from view.
Not exactly mind-blowing stuff, but enjoyable nonetheless, and who can complain about any Slavonian grebe sighting!!!
Day 6 - Friday 25th March 2005
The promised forecast of wall to wall sunshine for Good Friday, had gradually petered out during the week to sunny spells… the reality brought a dull, drizzly day - at least where we were!!! Nothing new visited the cabin, but a pleasing revisit from a couple of Siskins brightened the gloom.
We revisited Wester Ross, this time heading towards the village of Torridon (of the Sandstone fame) on the shores of Upper Loch Torridon. It will come as no surprise to hear that we caught up with a few old favourites en route, although the damp weather kept the viewing opportunities to a minimum.
Arriving at Torridon, the first sighting was a Hooded Crow, shortly followed by a Robin. Looking out over the loch head, we noticed a few gulls, Herring and Common, a Curlew and a Greenshank (Deoch Bhuidhe). Oystercatchers and Greater Black-backs were on a distant (in the murk) outcrop, along with a Shag. On the water itself were at least two more Shag, and also a couple of Slavonian Grebes!
A walk/drive along the shore to Lower Diabaig and back added Great Tit and Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail and Blackbird, Grey Heron and Wren, Wheatear and Song Thrush.
The weather was not improving, so we decided to go for coffee and cakes in Applecross. A few distant views of Shag and gulls out at sea were supplemented by a wider selection in Applecross Bay, including Curlew, Shag, Red-throated Diver and Eider (Lach Lochlannach). A quartet of Greylag Geese were noticed as we left.
Our return to the cabin was to be via Bealach nam Bň. I’ve done the drive up before, so felt no need to prove myself today, deliberately choosing to travel anticlockwise around the Applecross peninsula, allowing a drive down the steep bit!
Greater Black-backed gulls were seen as we passed through Lochcarron and a stop at Loch Gowan brought Whooper Swan (Eala Bhan), Mallard, Oystercatcher and Cormorant, with a Pied Wagtail fluttering around.
And finally, as the evening gloom was closing in, along with a Coot (Lach A Bhlair) and a Grey Heron, we saw a Red Kite (Clamhan Gobhlach) as we were leaving Strathpeffer. See! Not a difficult decision in the end!
Day 7 - Saturday 26th March 2005
Well, home today, so didn’t expect to be adding anything to the list, but a Carrion Crow and a Goldfinch (Lasair Choille) were both seen from the cabin, the latter the first of the week.
Then, as we were driving home, the murk cleared for a short while, and we paid an impromptu visit to Loch Tummel. As we were sitting enjoying the woodland birdsong, we heard the telltale yaffle of a Green Woodpecker (Snagarach). Still well inside our arbitrary “border” boundary, we were happy to add this to the list. Like wise the Magpie (Cadhag) we added in Glasgow, and the sightings of Kestrel (Clamhan Ruadh) made before reaching England.
In total, we picked up 75 “official” birds on this trip, which (I’ll have to check) is perhaps a couple fewer than last year, but this time we both ided everything at least once, and got a lifer with the Long-tailed Duck.
Thanks for seeing this through!
:t: