Ardersier and Inverness wander
Just driven back down from Ardersier, in THE worst downpour for ages but, home and safe
Enjoyed an impromptu wander up the northern end of the Caledonian Canal yesterday 31st Oct, from the Jammie Piece to the north end and back. I'd never walked the canal at all so it was more of an explore on a beautiful, chilly day but, I spotted several (5/6) little
Grebes on the canal, maybe Little Grebes but I couldn't confirm it although they certainly looked like it in the distance. Right at the northern end of the canal, where it joins the Beauly Firth a decent flock of Widgeon were patrolling the shore and flew off as we wandered by, don't you hate it when you didn't take the binoculars OR camera!? I'll definitely make a point of walking here again, better prepared next time and maybe walk the entire length towards Loch Ness.
A quick walk around Fort George shore this morning didn't produce much at all, the tide was heading out but plenty
Cormorants, a few
Guillemot and the usual gulls hanging around, plenty fish jumping though, Sea Trout?
I did, however, manage to grab a few iffy shots of a bird that shot by close to the shore and low on the water and it was only now, on the 'pooter that I think I see a
Brent Goose, anyone like to confirm it for me?
It was a solitary bird, no there geese seen on this walk. Six
Eider did fly up the firth towards Inverness but my panning skills, hand held at 600mm really didn't make trying for a shot worth it. MUST carry the tripod more often.
Both great walks, the canal being a first for me and a bit of an eye opener.