Saturday 20 May
Fortunately, although it had obviously rained through the night, it was dry to load the car. I set off about 8.45 and drove out past the 5 Lochs to Dunkeld, passing Osprey country but not seeing one.
The A9 was fairly busy, as always and it started to drizzle, then rained. It eased off for a while but climbing the Drumochter Pass the cloud was right down on the hill. I turned off at Dalwhinnie heading towards Fort William,. There was a lovely Reed Bunting sitting on a fence beside the road. I was hoping to stop for coffee somewhere along the side of Loch Laggan but trees were obscuring the view at every parking area. I kept going and ended up at Fort William and topped up with petrol. For the first time ever it was not raining at Fort William!
Next objective was to get a cup of coffee – somewhere! Right, I thought, Glenfinnan will do nicely. I got there about 11.30, bought a map in the Tourist Office and had my much longed for coffee. I didn't go over to the monument as I had been here before and wanted to get some way down the coastal road towards Salen for lunch. What a lovely run this is, views out to sea, mountains and lochs.
I decided to go and have a look at Castle Tioram, so turned off the 'main road' and drove along the River Shiel right to the end. A lovely view from there of the castle. Apart from 1 Mallard there were absolutely no birds to see on the water! Quite weird.
I didn't stay long there just enough time to have a bite of lunch before heading back to the main road, only to turn off almost immediately to go along to Kentra Bay. This is another lovely run, the bay itself superb. I carried on though right to the end of the road (I like to see where they go). Just a fishing croft (50p to park), er no I thought not much doing there for me, so I turned round and headed back. Going round a corner a Golden Eagle suddenly flew right across the road in front of me – what a shock!
Then back to Kentra Bay again, this time up with the scope to see what was about, Hoodies, a pair of Greylag Geese, Oystercatchers and a Cuckoo calling.
Time now to be heading for my B&B on the way stopping at Ariundle Forest for a look-see and a cuppie. Very pleasant looking area for a walk, so will be back there sometime, if not this visit.
I found the B&B no bother (in the middle of nowhere – just as I like it). Having sorted myself out in the room I went for a walk along the track to stretch my legs and to see what was about. Meadow Pippits, Red Grouse and at the forest I could hear Willow Warblers, Blackbirds and Chaffinch. Back at the B&B there are Siskin, Greenfinch and Mallards with 8 ducklings on the pond.
After dinner we were treated to 2 Red Legged Partridge wandering through the garden. Jim told me where to go to see Otters, Goldies and Sea Eagles, so I set off for a run along to the end of Loch Sunart and round the other side. I spent some time looking and scoping but didn't see any of them. Another couple came by in a car and told me they had just been watching an otter a bit further down the road! Grrr
Got back to the B&B for an early night as Jim is to take me out at 6 in the morning to see Black Cock.
Sunday May 21
Well I did it! Up at 5.30 quick cuppie and met Jim downstairs at 6am. A really beautiful morning and the wind has dropped, just a light breeze, if that.
We walked along the track I took yesterday and after about 10 minutes Jim explained to me what to expect and do. Before rounding the next bend I was to get into the ditch and creep very slowly and quietly, keeping my head well down below the horizon. When I got to the corner, peer through the heather. A few more minutes and we were approaching the bend and we stopped to listen, “That's them” says Jim “can you hear them – that funny gurgling sound?” It was very quiet but, yes, I could hear it – that was a first for me. Into the ditch I got, fortunately it was dry! Crept along as quietly as I could to the bend peered round and there right in front of me was a Black Grouse strutting his stuff only yards away. Further up the track were another two. I watched fascinated for about a minute when something, presumably me, scared the closest one away, the others remained and Jim came up to join me. Then the other 2 flew, joined by another which we hadn't seen. Across the moor down to the trees below us. Out of sight. Eventually we picked up 2 of them eating at the top of one of the trees. Worth the early rise that.
Returning along the track Jim had a brief glimpse of a Golden Eagle which disappeared behind a hill before he could put me on to it. Two Cuckoos flew across in front of us! Then I picked up a Snipe sitting on a fence post. Jim nearly said a bad word then as he wished he'd brought his camera with him.
We parted at the house, Jim going in to get his camera in the hope the Snipe would show again and me to continue along the road to the wooded area at the end. Chaffinch, Willow Warblers, Robin and a Wren were all that were awake just then.
Breakfast proved exciting as a pair of Whinchat came visiting just outside the window. He put on a brilliant courtship display for us.
What to do the rest of the day? Ah well never been to Ardnamurchan! What a beautiful drive that turned out to be. Stopping at nearly every bay on the off-chance of Otter but still no luck. Pulling into one of the view points I had a brief sighting of a White Tailed Eagle. I sat for a while longer hoping he would re-appear but no.
There are a few little villages (well more a huddle of houses) along the road, and at one of them I saw a pair of Goldfinch. At Ardnamurchan lighthouse it was a bit breezy but not too bad. However the sea was very quiet as far as birds were concerned. A Gannet flew close in and there were some Terns feeding far off – too far to identify unfortunately. Looked for some cetaceans but no luck there.
On the return journey I was treated to a display by a pair of Buzzards, tumbling and chasing each other – brilliant moment that.
It was 6pm when I got back to the B&B. Absolutely shattered, no energy left for Otter watch tonight unfortunately. Think I may have had the best of the weather as it has clouded over this evening and the wind has picked up again.
Monday 22nd May
A quieter day is required. A Brambling on the feeder in the garden, good start to the day. At the end of Loch Sunart there is a salt marsh so stopped there for a while to scope about. A pair of Goosander were by an island then I saw a Greenshank.
I continued round to the South side of the Loch to look for Otters again, but still no luck. Then took the road over the hill to Loch Linnhe. Jim had said there may be Great Northern Divers there, but there were none visible today. It was very windy and the water quite choppy. However, I did manage to see Black Guillemot, a flight of about 20 Eider and a pair of Shelduck which came in for a wash at some fresh water.. A pair of Raven were flying about at the top of some crags.
Returning to Strontian the Greenshank was still there and now 4 male Goosander. I made another abortive attempt to see Otter and was rewarded with a Redshank instead, also a Sandpiper that hopped up onto the road saw my car and shot back again.
Tuesday 23 May
Awoke to fresh snow on the tops this morning. After a good breakfast and goodbyes to Jim and Barbara, I set of South today to meet up with my sister at Kilmartin. Loads of Black Guillemot in the harbour at Ardgour which kept me amused for a while. Just as I boarded the ferry the rain came down in bucket loads. All the way then, the journey was punctuated by these really heavy showers. I stopped where I could along the side of Loch Linnhe but visibility was not that good unfortunately.
I stopped for lunch at a nature reserve at the side of Loch Creran, intending to go for a walk but down came the rain again and after half an hour showed no sign of stopping, so I headed for Oban to stock up on some supplies. More Black Guillemot in the harbour there, along with Mute Swan and the ubiquitous Mallards!
On the run from Oban to Kilmartin at the top of one of the passes, there was snow lying on the road!
I can't get over the number of birds to be seen in the Ardgour area, I'm sure I only scratched the surface. And the Cuckoos were everywhere, loads of them.
A few pictures from this trip
D
Fortunately, although it had obviously rained through the night, it was dry to load the car. I set off about 8.45 and drove out past the 5 Lochs to Dunkeld, passing Osprey country but not seeing one.
The A9 was fairly busy, as always and it started to drizzle, then rained. It eased off for a while but climbing the Drumochter Pass the cloud was right down on the hill. I turned off at Dalwhinnie heading towards Fort William,. There was a lovely Reed Bunting sitting on a fence beside the road. I was hoping to stop for coffee somewhere along the side of Loch Laggan but trees were obscuring the view at every parking area. I kept going and ended up at Fort William and topped up with petrol. For the first time ever it was not raining at Fort William!
Next objective was to get a cup of coffee – somewhere! Right, I thought, Glenfinnan will do nicely. I got there about 11.30, bought a map in the Tourist Office and had my much longed for coffee. I didn't go over to the monument as I had been here before and wanted to get some way down the coastal road towards Salen for lunch. What a lovely run this is, views out to sea, mountains and lochs.
I decided to go and have a look at Castle Tioram, so turned off the 'main road' and drove along the River Shiel right to the end. A lovely view from there of the castle. Apart from 1 Mallard there were absolutely no birds to see on the water! Quite weird.
I didn't stay long there just enough time to have a bite of lunch before heading back to the main road, only to turn off almost immediately to go along to Kentra Bay. This is another lovely run, the bay itself superb. I carried on though right to the end of the road (I like to see where they go). Just a fishing croft (50p to park), er no I thought not much doing there for me, so I turned round and headed back. Going round a corner a Golden Eagle suddenly flew right across the road in front of me – what a shock!
Then back to Kentra Bay again, this time up with the scope to see what was about, Hoodies, a pair of Greylag Geese, Oystercatchers and a Cuckoo calling.
Time now to be heading for my B&B on the way stopping at Ariundle Forest for a look-see and a cuppie. Very pleasant looking area for a walk, so will be back there sometime, if not this visit.
I found the B&B no bother (in the middle of nowhere – just as I like it). Having sorted myself out in the room I went for a walk along the track to stretch my legs and to see what was about. Meadow Pippits, Red Grouse and at the forest I could hear Willow Warblers, Blackbirds and Chaffinch. Back at the B&B there are Siskin, Greenfinch and Mallards with 8 ducklings on the pond.
After dinner we were treated to 2 Red Legged Partridge wandering through the garden. Jim told me where to go to see Otters, Goldies and Sea Eagles, so I set off for a run along to the end of Loch Sunart and round the other side. I spent some time looking and scoping but didn't see any of them. Another couple came by in a car and told me they had just been watching an otter a bit further down the road! Grrr
Got back to the B&B for an early night as Jim is to take me out at 6 in the morning to see Black Cock.
Sunday May 21
Well I did it! Up at 5.30 quick cuppie and met Jim downstairs at 6am. A really beautiful morning and the wind has dropped, just a light breeze, if that.
We walked along the track I took yesterday and after about 10 minutes Jim explained to me what to expect and do. Before rounding the next bend I was to get into the ditch and creep very slowly and quietly, keeping my head well down below the horizon. When I got to the corner, peer through the heather. A few more minutes and we were approaching the bend and we stopped to listen, “That's them” says Jim “can you hear them – that funny gurgling sound?” It was very quiet but, yes, I could hear it – that was a first for me. Into the ditch I got, fortunately it was dry! Crept along as quietly as I could to the bend peered round and there right in front of me was a Black Grouse strutting his stuff only yards away. Further up the track were another two. I watched fascinated for about a minute when something, presumably me, scared the closest one away, the others remained and Jim came up to join me. Then the other 2 flew, joined by another which we hadn't seen. Across the moor down to the trees below us. Out of sight. Eventually we picked up 2 of them eating at the top of one of the trees. Worth the early rise that.
Returning along the track Jim had a brief glimpse of a Golden Eagle which disappeared behind a hill before he could put me on to it. Two Cuckoos flew across in front of us! Then I picked up a Snipe sitting on a fence post. Jim nearly said a bad word then as he wished he'd brought his camera with him.
We parted at the house, Jim going in to get his camera in the hope the Snipe would show again and me to continue along the road to the wooded area at the end. Chaffinch, Willow Warblers, Robin and a Wren were all that were awake just then.
Breakfast proved exciting as a pair of Whinchat came visiting just outside the window. He put on a brilliant courtship display for us.
What to do the rest of the day? Ah well never been to Ardnamurchan! What a beautiful drive that turned out to be. Stopping at nearly every bay on the off-chance of Otter but still no luck. Pulling into one of the view points I had a brief sighting of a White Tailed Eagle. I sat for a while longer hoping he would re-appear but no.
There are a few little villages (well more a huddle of houses) along the road, and at one of them I saw a pair of Goldfinch. At Ardnamurchan lighthouse it was a bit breezy but not too bad. However the sea was very quiet as far as birds were concerned. A Gannet flew close in and there were some Terns feeding far off – too far to identify unfortunately. Looked for some cetaceans but no luck there.
On the return journey I was treated to a display by a pair of Buzzards, tumbling and chasing each other – brilliant moment that.
It was 6pm when I got back to the B&B. Absolutely shattered, no energy left for Otter watch tonight unfortunately. Think I may have had the best of the weather as it has clouded over this evening and the wind has picked up again.
Monday 22nd May
A quieter day is required. A Brambling on the feeder in the garden, good start to the day. At the end of Loch Sunart there is a salt marsh so stopped there for a while to scope about. A pair of Goosander were by an island then I saw a Greenshank.
I continued round to the South side of the Loch to look for Otters again, but still no luck. Then took the road over the hill to Loch Linnhe. Jim had said there may be Great Northern Divers there, but there were none visible today. It was very windy and the water quite choppy. However, I did manage to see Black Guillemot, a flight of about 20 Eider and a pair of Shelduck which came in for a wash at some fresh water.. A pair of Raven were flying about at the top of some crags.
Returning to Strontian the Greenshank was still there and now 4 male Goosander. I made another abortive attempt to see Otter and was rewarded with a Redshank instead, also a Sandpiper that hopped up onto the road saw my car and shot back again.
Tuesday 23 May
Awoke to fresh snow on the tops this morning. After a good breakfast and goodbyes to Jim and Barbara, I set of South today to meet up with my sister at Kilmartin. Loads of Black Guillemot in the harbour at Ardgour which kept me amused for a while. Just as I boarded the ferry the rain came down in bucket loads. All the way then, the journey was punctuated by these really heavy showers. I stopped where I could along the side of Loch Linnhe but visibility was not that good unfortunately.
I stopped for lunch at a nature reserve at the side of Loch Creran, intending to go for a walk but down came the rain again and after half an hour showed no sign of stopping, so I headed for Oban to stock up on some supplies. More Black Guillemot in the harbour there, along with Mute Swan and the ubiquitous Mallards!
On the run from Oban to Kilmartin at the top of one of the passes, there was snow lying on the road!
I can't get over the number of birds to be seen in the Ardgour area, I'm sure I only scratched the surface. And the Cuckoos were everywhere, loads of them.
A few pictures from this trip
D
) but others I shall have to search for. I always have to look up places I read about...something to do with spending my working life around maps I think!
