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The Highlands and Islands Thread (1 Viewer)

I had Ptarmigan at the same height as Red Grouse today. Never had them so low, but it was a bit of a white out. Thankfully found my way back to the car.

Arty shot not everyone's cup of tea, but I like so :smoke:
 

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I'm up in Jura next week surveying for the BTO. Long drive up from Farnborough but perhaps worth it. What should I expect at this time of the year in tetrads in the North West of the Island? Have an idea but would be useful to know what is generally about as the internet and literature are pretty devoid of information.

Rich
 
I'm up in Jura next week surveying for the BTO. Long drive up from Farnborough but perhaps worth it. What should I expect at this time of the year in tetrads in the North West of the Island? Have an idea but would be useful to know what is generally about as the internet and literature are pretty devoid of information.

Rich
 
I had Ptarmigan at the same height as Red Grouse today. Never had them so low, but it was a bit of a white out. Thankfully found my way back to the car.

Arty shot not everyone's cup of tea, but I like so :smoke:

Last winter Ptarm were often in the Car Park at the Cairngorm Ski centre early morning! On the west coast I've heard of records of them actually breeding below 1000ft too. (which seems to fit with the idea that it's actually average wind speed/chill that they are sensitive to rather than ambient air temperature).

Hence worries about them disappearing off the Cairngorms due to warming are not quite that straightforward if average conditions actually got windier.
 
On the north coast iv'e seen Ptarmigan at 1200ft on Ben Hutig in March!

Yes, where it's much windier on average, they exploit a much lower altitude...the Cairngorms experiencing much less wind on average than the exposed hills of the North and West coasts, so generally there they are above 3000ft.

Always amazes me why these birds choose to sit and huddle all night on a freezing mountain when they could just fly down a mile or so to shelter...that's nature!
 
Ptarmigan are one of my favourites. Feels like a double reward climbing for one of those beauties. Not sure I'd like any of these low down easy ones!

In Iceland they spend the winter at the airport car park.
 
Great Grey Shrike about a mile past the gliding club in Glen Fishie yesterday. Distant but obvious perching on small tree tops.

Also lots of Bullfinches

Ian
 
I'll be on Skye this summer to climb the Cullin ridge but I should have a day or so spare with transport. Can anyone recommend a good place for birding in June? No specific preferences on what to see. Also if anyone has an idea of likely species to find on/near the ridge itself that would be most helpful.

Thanks, Owen
 
Had 14 Long-tailed Ducks around the entrance to Buckie harbour and just outside yesterday. About 2/3 males. There was a couple of pairs just outside the entrance and a female inside which showed down to a few feet from the boat. Sadly I didnt have my camera.
 
Went to Chanonry Point today for a looksee. There was a flock of about 150 dunlin on the shore (the largest flock I have seen there) but I didnt get a proper look as some numpty let her dog run amongst the birds. Grrrrrrrrrrr! The birds were still flying 10 minutes later as there were several dog walkers in the area. Eventually some of them flew across to Fort George. Amongst the dunlin were 10 ringed plover and there was also a leucistic dunlin around.
 
While on holiday in Mey(Caithness) in May last year, we took a drive along the coast road to Scourie, on the West Coast and back. One of the most beautiful journeys we've undertaken and such an amazing biodiversity that can be seen from the car alone. There was very little traffic and the daylight never seems to come to an end. Just as well really as we made so many stops to take small walks. Another brilliant drive is through Strath Halladale and the Strath of Kildonan, from Melvich to Helmsdale. Pure magic. It makes me homesick just thinking about it.

Andy
 
I'll be on Skye this summer to climb the Cullin ridge but I should have a day or so spare with transport. Can anyone recommend a good place for birding in June? No specific preferences on what to see. Also if anyone has an idea of likely species to find on/near the ridge itself that would be most helpful.

Thanks, Owen

Hi Owen

I've never been birding in skye but this is their website http://www.skye-birds.com/wheretogo.php

Hope it helps and have a great holiday!

Regards Alison
 
There were c.20 waxwings in Fortrose today. Park at the car park by the fire station and look for the large tree next to the car park, the birds were easy to see.
 
I had an hour to spare this morn so i went to check out the strath to see if the male Hen harrier is still about,didn't see the male but i did get a female mobbing a sub ad Golden eagle.I set the scope up and watched the eagle for 40 mins a stunning bird it's golden head lit up by the sun. also had a red grouse by the road 3 Bullfinch a kestrel and 7 greylags over.
 
Up at Speyside on 5th/6th March for the first time since 2008 and was wondering where the best places are for Crested Tits?? I assume I should have no problem on the Loch Garten feeders this time of the year but any info would be appreciated.

Also where is the best place to see Ptarmigan at this time of the year??. I have only ever been to The Highlands in May.

Any further info regarding the possibilty (I know it's a long shot!!) of Scottish Crossbills/Parrot Crossbills would also be appreciated.
 
Up at Speyside on 5th/6th March for the first time since 2008 and was wondering where the best places are for Crested Tits?? I assume I should have no problem on the Loch Garten feeders this time of the year but any info would be appreciated.

Also where is the best place to see Ptarmigan at this time of the year??. I have only ever been to The Highlands in May.

Any further info regarding the possibilty (I know it's a long shot!!) of Scottish Crossbills/Parrot Crossbills would also be appreciated.

Had Crested Tits and Xbills at Rothiemurchus this morning,on the path into the woods from the Camping/Caravan site.Also a very obliging Crested Tit at the feeders at Loch Garten,this afternoon.
 

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