Paul Longland
Well-known member
Our long awaited trip to Scotland finally arrived. Capercaillie in Cairngorm and Corncrake on mull being the two main targets. However, confidence was not high following two weeks of solid northerly winds and weather forecasts leaving much to be desired.
We arrived in Aviemore on Sunday evening and were immediately struck by the lack of leaves on the trees. Undaunted, we set alarms for 4am and retired for an early night having learnt that the forecast heavy rain was now likely to be SNOW! %am Monday morning saw us at loch Garten Caper watch where we were quickly informed that a single male seen at the start of the season and a single female flypast the previous week had been the only sightings this year. Needless to say target 1 was a strike out. The day was beautiful with clear blue skys so a quick run up to cairngorm car park before breakfast was in order. The usual Ring Ouzels were perched on the picnic tables and we at least had the bonus of a flock of 6 Snow Buntings in almost summer plumage.
Unfortunately after breakfast, the promised snow arrived in bucket loads. The only option was to sit in the car at Loch garten car park and watch the feeders for Cresties.
Having decided to give up on the capers we set of early next morning for cairngorm black grouse lek viewing butt. No chance. About a mile or so past loch Morlic we ground to a halt in virgin snow and had to back up until we could find a suitable place to turn the car round. I think we must have been the only vehicle to attempt the road as later that day the gates were closed and the road shut.
Wednesday saw us head off towards Mull via Strontian. This Black Duck is a sitter said my friend. Guess what we got there, tide was out no sign of any ducks at the river mouth. A couple of mallards flew over but it was obvious we had dipped again and with a ferry to catch headed off.
Thursday and off to Iona for Corncrakes. Having been reliably informed on the ferry that they had been heard that very morning we thought that our luck was changing. Walked the entire length of the island. Apart from a flock of beautiful summer plumage golden plovers NOTHING!
A drive around the lochs on the way back to Salen at least provided a Great Northern Diver to complete the full set for the year and a ringtail Hen Harrier.
Our final day saw us on a boat trip to Lunga and Staffa. on the trip across a very pale gull sitting on the water caught our attention. A white winger for sure. Closer inspection revealed it to be an adult Iceland. AT last a lifer for me. Getting to sit within a couple of yards of the Puffins and watch their courtship and nest building activities was an something that everyone should experience at least once. A full set of Auks, Manx Shearwater and a couple of Bonxies and at least this day was shaping up. To cap the day off, we had an adult white Tailed Eagle come within a few yards of the boat. Our first adult of the trip, it was then joined by a Goldie.
So after several disappointments due to the birds just not being there, the weather and various other stuff we managed to finish the trip on a high.
The plan was to drop by Loch Feorlin on the way home for the Pied Billed Grebe. Being a known Skulker and having noted that it had only been reported once in the last week, and that a 3km hike was involved in "willies essential" conditions (and not having the pre-requisite willies) we decided that rather than dip yet again we would cut our losses and at least end on a high.
So all in all not the most successful trip but still most enjoyable and it will definitely not stop us from going again........ If only there were a couple of rogue Capers around somewhere viewable!!
We arrived in Aviemore on Sunday evening and were immediately struck by the lack of leaves on the trees. Undaunted, we set alarms for 4am and retired for an early night having learnt that the forecast heavy rain was now likely to be SNOW! %am Monday morning saw us at loch Garten Caper watch where we were quickly informed that a single male seen at the start of the season and a single female flypast the previous week had been the only sightings this year. Needless to say target 1 was a strike out. The day was beautiful with clear blue skys so a quick run up to cairngorm car park before breakfast was in order. The usual Ring Ouzels were perched on the picnic tables and we at least had the bonus of a flock of 6 Snow Buntings in almost summer plumage.
Unfortunately after breakfast, the promised snow arrived in bucket loads. The only option was to sit in the car at Loch garten car park and watch the feeders for Cresties.
Having decided to give up on the capers we set of early next morning for cairngorm black grouse lek viewing butt. No chance. About a mile or so past loch Morlic we ground to a halt in virgin snow and had to back up until we could find a suitable place to turn the car round. I think we must have been the only vehicle to attempt the road as later that day the gates were closed and the road shut.
Wednesday saw us head off towards Mull via Strontian. This Black Duck is a sitter said my friend. Guess what we got there, tide was out no sign of any ducks at the river mouth. A couple of mallards flew over but it was obvious we had dipped again and with a ferry to catch headed off.
Thursday and off to Iona for Corncrakes. Having been reliably informed on the ferry that they had been heard that very morning we thought that our luck was changing. Walked the entire length of the island. Apart from a flock of beautiful summer plumage golden plovers NOTHING!
A drive around the lochs on the way back to Salen at least provided a Great Northern Diver to complete the full set for the year and a ringtail Hen Harrier.
Our final day saw us on a boat trip to Lunga and Staffa. on the trip across a very pale gull sitting on the water caught our attention. A white winger for sure. Closer inspection revealed it to be an adult Iceland. AT last a lifer for me. Getting to sit within a couple of yards of the Puffins and watch their courtship and nest building activities was an something that everyone should experience at least once. A full set of Auks, Manx Shearwater and a couple of Bonxies and at least this day was shaping up. To cap the day off, we had an adult white Tailed Eagle come within a few yards of the boat. Our first adult of the trip, it was then joined by a Goldie.
So after several disappointments due to the birds just not being there, the weather and various other stuff we managed to finish the trip on a high.
The plan was to drop by Loch Feorlin on the way home for the Pied Billed Grebe. Being a known Skulker and having noted that it had only been reported once in the last week, and that a 3km hike was involved in "willies essential" conditions (and not having the pre-requisite willies) we decided that rather than dip yet again we would cut our losses and at least end on a high.
So all in all not the most successful trip but still most enjoyable and it will definitely not stop us from going again........ If only there were a couple of rogue Capers around somewhere viewable!!