birdman
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Days 2 & 3
Then plan for day 2 was to visit Dornoch Firth, a few miles north of Cromarty Firth. The day got off to a fine start, with Treecreepers climbing just outside the cabin kitchen window, whilst out front we were visited by Great Tit, Coal Tit and Chaffinch, and saw a Buzzard flying overhead.
We decided to stop off at Embo first, in the hope of seeing some interesting ducks. On the way, although we saw plenty, we added nothing new, although of course, the number of Buzzards we did see would have been remarkable back home. Here… well it was just “normal”!
Embo itself from the pier brought us Oystercatcher, Herring Gull and a couple of Pied Wagtail, with Rooks around and Skylark singing. As we had lucked out on any ducks, we decided to move on. As we were leaving we noticed a dark pipit. Based on the colour, the location and the monosyllabic call, we were pretty confident to record it as Rock Pipit.
From Embo, we travelled to the Firth at Newton’s Point via Dornoch. We passed a field of mixed geese – Pinkfeet and Greylag Geese - on the way, along with yet more Oystercatcher and a few Curlew, although the Point brought us only Mallard and some more Buzzard.
As we had not stayed as long as expected at the Point, we decided to make a detour to Lairg, in the hope of picking up a diver – as we had in a previous visit a few years ago.
Taking in another similarly mixed flock of geese on the way, we scanned the River Shin between Bonar Bridge and Lairg at every available opportunity. We added Mallard, Little Grebe, Goldeneye and Mute Swan.
On arrival in Lairg, partnyorsha immediately called out “Diver!” and “Parking!” and we were able to stop (just as the rain started!) and get close but wet views of a Black-throated Diver, along with more Oystercatchers, the day’s first Common Gulls and three Whooper Swans.
From Lairg, we couldn’t resist the call the travel further north – well north-west actually – and decided to take the road top Laxford Bridge. A necessary petrol stop allowed us to add a few garden birds, including Collared Dove.
On the journey to Laxford Bridge, we took in the wonderful scenery of the NW Highlands, and occasional birds – a few Lapwing, the odd Rook, some Greylag along with small, but generally unidentifiable moorland birds.
However, we were fortunate enough to pick up a male Stonechat perched on a telegraph wire. At Loch Merkland we were treated to great views of two more Black-throated Divers, whilst we regularly saw Red Deer down at these lower levels, perhaps avoiding the snow-covered peaks.
At Loch More, we caught sight of three more Whooper Swans, whilst at Loch Stack, the best views yet of two more Black-throats.
From Laxford Bridge, we travelled south to Scourie and onward to Ledmore. On the way, at Loch a’Mhuillinn, we saw Cormorant, more Whoopers, Goldeneye, Great Tit and Little Grebe, whilst at Loch Assynt more Oystercatchers and Buzzards.
From Ledmore, we passed through the very attractive Glen Oykel, added more to list, particularly at Loch Borralan where we picked up maybe a dozen Wigeon, along with a few Tufted Ducks.
More birds on our journey back to the cabin, but nothing new, until just after we arrived back to see a Robin on the veranda.
After the extended 2nd day, day 3 was much shorter - both in terms of miles covered and the list of birds.
The plan was to “do” Loch Fleet - itself a little way further north of Dornoch Firth – with the hope of adding a few more ducks to the list.
As it happened, although the day was not at all bad, nothing spectacular showed on the Loch.
Again we started at Embo Pier. The weather was much squallier than the previous day, with a biting wind and resultant choppy seas. Expecting to see very little, we actually picked up more than on the Monday, once again seeing Oystercatchers and Herring Gulls, but also Cormorants, a Curlew, four Red-breasted Mergansers, a Goldeneye and a Razorbill.
We moved on to the south side of Loch Fleet, close to the ruined Skelbo Castle. On the Loch we saw Wigeon, Oystercatcher and Herring Gull along with some Redshank, Eider more Goldeneye and plenty of Common Seals.
We continued on the The Mound although there we added only Great Black-backed Gulls and Blue Tit – and the ever present Buzzard!
Next stop, Littleferry, with Buzzard, Jackdaw and mixed geese on the way, Blackbird, Great Tit, House Sparrow and Skylark when we arrived. Close by, yet more Oystercatcher and some Hooded Crows.
Returning back towards Golspie, we saw Shelduck, Mallard, Wigeon and Teal on the Loch before stopping at Balblair Wood. The wood is supposed to be good for many woodland birds, and being largely pinewood, is also home to Scottish Crossbill. No sooner than we entered the woodland, we picked up Bullfinch and Siskin… erm… and that’s it!
Part of the walk was along the lochside, so maore water birds and a Common Seal. Oh yes, and a Blue Tit… so I guess it wasn’t “it” after all… whoop-de-doo!
As we rushed back to the car, dodging another of the day’s hail showers, we heard Buzzards calling overhead. Back at the car, we got excellent views (about 30 feet overhead?) before returning to the cabin – the only notable sightings on the journey being five Black-headed Gulls and a Mistle Thrush.
(Part 3 here)
Then plan for day 2 was to visit Dornoch Firth, a few miles north of Cromarty Firth. The day got off to a fine start, with Treecreepers climbing just outside the cabin kitchen window, whilst out front we were visited by Great Tit, Coal Tit and Chaffinch, and saw a Buzzard flying overhead.
We decided to stop off at Embo first, in the hope of seeing some interesting ducks. On the way, although we saw plenty, we added nothing new, although of course, the number of Buzzards we did see would have been remarkable back home. Here… well it was just “normal”!
Embo itself from the pier brought us Oystercatcher, Herring Gull and a couple of Pied Wagtail, with Rooks around and Skylark singing. As we had lucked out on any ducks, we decided to move on. As we were leaving we noticed a dark pipit. Based on the colour, the location and the monosyllabic call, we were pretty confident to record it as Rock Pipit.
From Embo, we travelled to the Firth at Newton’s Point via Dornoch. We passed a field of mixed geese – Pinkfeet and Greylag Geese - on the way, along with yet more Oystercatcher and a few Curlew, although the Point brought us only Mallard and some more Buzzard.
As we had not stayed as long as expected at the Point, we decided to make a detour to Lairg, in the hope of picking up a diver – as we had in a previous visit a few years ago.
Taking in another similarly mixed flock of geese on the way, we scanned the River Shin between Bonar Bridge and Lairg at every available opportunity. We added Mallard, Little Grebe, Goldeneye and Mute Swan.
On arrival in Lairg, partnyorsha immediately called out “Diver!” and “Parking!” and we were able to stop (just as the rain started!) and get close but wet views of a Black-throated Diver, along with more Oystercatchers, the day’s first Common Gulls and three Whooper Swans.
From Lairg, we couldn’t resist the call the travel further north – well north-west actually – and decided to take the road top Laxford Bridge. A necessary petrol stop allowed us to add a few garden birds, including Collared Dove.
On the journey to Laxford Bridge, we took in the wonderful scenery of the NW Highlands, and occasional birds – a few Lapwing, the odd Rook, some Greylag along with small, but generally unidentifiable moorland birds.
However, we were fortunate enough to pick up a male Stonechat perched on a telegraph wire. At Loch Merkland we were treated to great views of two more Black-throated Divers, whilst we regularly saw Red Deer down at these lower levels, perhaps avoiding the snow-covered peaks.
At Loch More, we caught sight of three more Whooper Swans, whilst at Loch Stack, the best views yet of two more Black-throats.
From Laxford Bridge, we travelled south to Scourie and onward to Ledmore. On the way, at Loch a’Mhuillinn, we saw Cormorant, more Whoopers, Goldeneye, Great Tit and Little Grebe, whilst at Loch Assynt more Oystercatchers and Buzzards.
From Ledmore, we passed through the very attractive Glen Oykel, added more to list, particularly at Loch Borralan where we picked up maybe a dozen Wigeon, along with a few Tufted Ducks.
More birds on our journey back to the cabin, but nothing new, until just after we arrived back to see a Robin on the veranda.
After the extended 2nd day, day 3 was much shorter - both in terms of miles covered and the list of birds.
The plan was to “do” Loch Fleet - itself a little way further north of Dornoch Firth – with the hope of adding a few more ducks to the list.
As it happened, although the day was not at all bad, nothing spectacular showed on the Loch.
Again we started at Embo Pier. The weather was much squallier than the previous day, with a biting wind and resultant choppy seas. Expecting to see very little, we actually picked up more than on the Monday, once again seeing Oystercatchers and Herring Gulls, but also Cormorants, a Curlew, four Red-breasted Mergansers, a Goldeneye and a Razorbill.
We moved on to the south side of Loch Fleet, close to the ruined Skelbo Castle. On the Loch we saw Wigeon, Oystercatcher and Herring Gull along with some Redshank, Eider more Goldeneye and plenty of Common Seals.
We continued on the The Mound although there we added only Great Black-backed Gulls and Blue Tit – and the ever present Buzzard!
Next stop, Littleferry, with Buzzard, Jackdaw and mixed geese on the way, Blackbird, Great Tit, House Sparrow and Skylark when we arrived. Close by, yet more Oystercatcher and some Hooded Crows.
Returning back towards Golspie, we saw Shelduck, Mallard, Wigeon and Teal on the Loch before stopping at Balblair Wood. The wood is supposed to be good for many woodland birds, and being largely pinewood, is also home to Scottish Crossbill. No sooner than we entered the woodland, we picked up Bullfinch and Siskin… erm… and that’s it!
Part of the walk was along the lochside, so maore water birds and a Common Seal. Oh yes, and a Blue Tit… so I guess it wasn’t “it” after all… whoop-de-doo!
As we rushed back to the car, dodging another of the day’s hail showers, we heard Buzzards calling overhead. Back at the car, we got excellent views (about 30 feet overhead?) before returning to the cabin – the only notable sightings on the journey being five Black-headed Gulls and a Mistle Thrush.
(Part 3 here)
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