The Highlands and Islands Thread (2 Viewers)

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Over 20 Mountain Hare and a Golden Eagle in hot pursuit today - less than ten miles from Inverness.

 

[Leodhasach]

It's a couple of miles North of the Tore roundabout on the right hand side as you head towards Dingwall, easy to miss if you didn't already know it was there. The local distillery used to cut peat there for their whisky.

 

[delia todd]

It's a couple of miles North of the Tore roundabout on the right hand side as you head towards Dingwall, easy to miss if you didn't already know it was there. The local distillery used to cut peat there for their whisky.

Ah! thanks for that... must have passed it a few times:gh:

D

 

[kawwauser]

wellcome leodhasach ,good news on those kites its only a matter of time before they are numerous in the dundee/angus area,red kite /black guillemot are my determined to see birds of 2011,i have a little more time on my hands so can now travel a bit further than im used to

 

[ring ouzel]

First post on here, so be nice..

Hello young man! Glad you've joined. Our aim on this side of the Moray Firth is to get more birds than Marcus does on the other side of the Firth <waves to Marcus> I'm going to check out my local area this week to see if the tree sparrows and bramblings are still here, I'll text you if they are.

Oh and this forum is generally a very nice place so dont worry.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

First post on here, so be nice..

Hello young man! Glad you've joined. Our aim on this side of the Moray Firth is to get more birds than Marcus does on the other side of the Firth <waves to Marcus> I'm going to check out my local area this week to see if the tree sparrows and bramblings are still here, I'll text you if they are.

Oh and this forum is generally a very nice place so dont worry.

Well keep an eye out - I had an odd sighting today.

Just getting some stuff out of the garden when a small gull came by. I ran inside to get my bins and scope and it was lost to view.

Very similar to this. I've seen three before and I instantly thought Ross's.

Anyway probably a dodgy black headed gull but the flight action and markings were very unusual - cod have been a kittiwake struggling in the wind I suppose?

Spotted a Brambling on our side on Sunday but at least a mile from home

 

[Pugs1]

Ahhh, whilst driving back from Forres to Nairn, I'm pretty sure I saw a Rough Legged Buzzard, hovering in a field next to the main road. However it could have been a pale common and I couldn't pull over to get a closer look....doh!

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Must be some up here at the minute. I have checked out a few likely spots but just the plethora of common buzzards.

Severe man flu has kept me in the house for a few days. So will update the garden thread shortly.

 

[jpoyner]

Must be some up here at the minute. I have checked out a few likely spots but just the plethora of common buzzards.

Severe man flu has kept me in the house for a few days. So will update the garden thread shortly.

They're pretty damn good at hiding as I haven't managed to see one since the Aberdeenshire bird in the mid 90s !!!

 

[ring ouzel]

Last week myself and two friends went to see the Bittern at Inch Marshes but we dipped. I did however catch the bug that my mate was harbouring. I've been in all week with a hacking great cough and feeling very sorry for myself. Yesterday, to stave off cabin fever, I walked, well OK shuffled would be more accurate, along the railway track at Avoch. The finch flocks are still there with 40+ yellowhammers around, a pair of reed buntings and a brambling plus the usual suspects and a fine flock of redwings to cheer me up.

If this man flu doesnt finish me off normal birding will be resumed next week.

 

[Leodhasach]

If this man flu doesnt finish me off normal birding will be resumed next week.

Can I get your Swarovski's if you die?

Had a wander into Inverness town centre earlier on, there are plenty of Fieldfare about in Lochardil at the mo' and a Kestrel seemed to be getting a bit of a hard time from one of the (non-buckfast drinking) hoodies.

The River had loads of Golden Eye - according to one bloke they were Eider, I've got lurgy and was cranky so corrected him, he said otherwise so I whipped out my phone and showed him a picture of an Eider and a Golden Eye. I love 3G and I especially love Google images!

He was actually a nice enough bloke and we had a blether about the otter, it's been spotted again as recently as this morning so it's worth looking out for it if you're in the area.

Also spotted Goosander, the usual Herring gulls and Black headed gulls and what may have been a Red Breasted Merganser but it disappeared before I got a good look at it. I saw a Dipper too, it came up really close which delighted my daughter, cracking wee birds.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Can I get your Swarovski's if you die?

Had a wander into Inverness town centre earlier on, there are plenty of Fieldfare about in Lochardil at the mo' and a Kestrel seemed to be getting a bit of a hard time from one of the (non-buckfast drinking) hoodies.

The River had loads of Golden Eye - according to one bloke they were Eider, I've got lurgy and was cranky so corrected him, he said otherwise so I whipped out my phone and showed him a picture of an Eider and a Golden Eye. I love 3G and I especially love Google images!

He was actually a nice enough bloke and we had a blether about the otter, it's been spotted again as recently as this morning so it's worth looking out for it if you're in the area.

Also spotted Goosander, the usual Herring gulls and Black headed gulls and what may have been a Red Breasted Merganser but it disappeared before I got a good look at it. I saw a Dipper too, it came up really close which delighted my daughter, cracking wee birds.

I thought momentarily you were gonna say you him with you phone!

Dipper has been around all winter - shows best by the shakey bridge.

Must be up there with the best birding cities in the UK :t:

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Some recent Hares

 

[hampers]

When I looked at the first one thought brilliant, then got to nos 4 and to me that is amazing.

Phil

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

When I looked at the first one thought brilliant, then got to nos 4 and to me that is amazing.

Phil

Thanks Phil, real feeling of height!
The image has a blueish tinge which I thought about reducing, but for now I like it as is.
Cheers for the feedback, Marcus

 

[hampers]

Thanks Phil, real feeling of height!
The image has a blueish tinge which I thought about reducing, but for now I like it as is.
Cheers for the feedback, Marcus

I like it just as it is, atmospheric and the subject stands out so well. Maybe slightly biased as I love hares.

Phil

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

My Hare photographer buddy Chris in action - can you spot our target??

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Just some nice stuff today down in Glen Feshie.

Crested Tit, Brown Hare, mixture of Crossbills, Golden Eagle and of course the fantastic scenery.

 

[jpoyner]

Anyone have any more info on this Gyr...pretty massive area to search for it !!

 

[Dmacaskill]

Fulmars back on inland cliffs at loch Brora and Rogart quarry. Ravens displaying and a male hen harrier up the strath today!