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  1. L

    Devon Birding

    Other than Berry Head are there any other spots near Paignton worth a wander with the Bins? I was out on a boat trip today across the bay but didn't see much other than various gulls and cormorants. I'm short for time, apparently I have to get ready for m sister in laws wedding, darned...
  2. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    Wisnae me! I certainly didn't set up a twitter (hooter) account for it and it definitely didn't get coverage in the National Press. Nope. Although I suspect Tommy Horne re-captured it, he's been keeping a low profile at the moment, although that could equally be to do with the fact that he's...
  3. L

    Osprey back in town

    Wow, that is early! Mind you I saw one over Udale bay towards the beginning of November last year. Is it possible that due to the mild winter we've had that one of them over-wintered here? I was at Loch Garten yesterday. Really quiet, spotted a couple of tufted ducks, the odd chaffinch and some...
  4. L

    Isle Of Skye

    I've stayed in a few places on Skye (perks of my job! ) Sconser Lodge is good, nice and cosy with great views across to Raasay. Reasonably central too. About equal distance between Broadford and Portree and a few miles from Sligichan which is a good base for walks into the Red or Black Cuillin...
  5. L

    Scottish highlands visit

    Is your book still available anywhere Gordon? Had a look on Amazon and it was out of stock.
  6. L

    Scottish highlands visit

    Seconded. I've also see them on the hills around Coignafearn, which is also a cracking spot for Golden Eagles. I quite regularly see Ptarmigan in the Northern Corries, it's a bit wild this time of year if you're not confident in the hills in winter (winter walking skills are a must) but...
  7. L

    Where To Go - 2012 Holiday

    How long are you planning to visit and do you have your own transport? Personally I would head West but then I'm hugely biased having grown up in the Western Isles! Skye then across to North Uist and down via the causeways to Benbecula and South Uist. Drive back up and head across to Harris...
  8. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    Cracking afternoon in Coignafearn today, spotted a few Golden Eagles (one came in nice and close and seemed to be a juve in its first winter colours) and two very noisy buzzards! We had a walk up the hill behind the carpark (Carn Coire Dhealanaich) and there were plenty of Red Grouse and...
  9. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    Any ideas where might be a decent spot to set up and look out for it? I might head out this weekend for a look.
  10. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    I don't think so, I see them quite often when I'm out in the Cairngorms and have seen them over on The Ben and on Bidean nam Bian a few times. They're cheeky wee so and so's. A gang of them usually roams about Coire an t-Sneachda in the 'gorms mugging climbers for their sandwiches. They're bold...
  11. L

    best Island to see american birds

    Barra is hardly a chore if you're on a bike, there's no real significant ascent or descent! It's small though and you could easily spin round it in a few hours. Cracking wee island though. It's worth looking at buying a Rover Pass with Caledonian Macbrayne (ferry operator) as you'll get a...
  12. L

    My Highland garden

    Popped up to Chanonry point this afternoon and managed to spot a couple of Arctic Skuas. Pleased with that as I haven't seen any in ages. There were plenty of Terns and Gannets out there too. The Dolphins also managed to put on a show for us too :-) I then drove over to Udale bay and spotted...
  13. L

    My Highland garden

    Is Chanonry a good spot for Skuas? I think I finally have a free weekend this week for a spot of birding.... before I have a week in the Western Isles for work.. <<cough>>
  14. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    I was up in Orkney for work this week (am I allowed to be a smug git?|=)| ) and had some very close encounters with the ubiquitous Greylag geese, they seemed happy for me to get fairly close to them. I had a walk along the Peedie Sea in Kirkwall and spotted Redshank, Mute Swans, Black Guillemots...
  15. L

    Birding in Inverness - help wanted!

    Hi, I live in Inverness (Lochardil) and there's plenty within a reasonable walk for you in the town itself. River Ness - Runs right through the centre of town. You can regularly see Goosander, Red Breasted Merganser, Goldeneye, Heron, Dippers and Cormorants along the river. The Ness Islands are...
  16. L

    Orkney - good spots to go on the mainland?

    ooh ta, still newish to the site so hadn't spotted that! Thanks!
  17. L

    Orkney - good spots to go on the mainland?

    I'm heading up to Orkney for work on Wednesday and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for birdwatching spots within a half hour drive of Kirkwall. I've been up before (and stupidly forgot my bins!!) and managed to get an hour at Orphir and Houton but time was a bit tight so hanging...
  18. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    I've managed to get out a fair bit over the last few days, Merkinch NR on Monday where there were plenty of Redshank, Wigeon and Curlew to be seen. Also managed to spot a Shelduck which was a nice wee bonus. I've been working away the last couple of days in Tyndrum, Inveraray and Oban and...
  19. L

    My Highland garden

    That's a fantastic shot Marcus!
  20. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    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 -...
  21. L

    Loch Garten/Loch Ruthven

    Hi Trevor, I've seen Ptarmigan in the Northern Corries and on Beinn Liath Mor in the Fannaichs which is about an hour north of Inverness. If you want to see them while based in Aviemore then the walk in to Coire an t-sneachda is reasonably straightforward. However we've had two fairly serious...
  22. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    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.
  23. L

    The Highlands and Islands Thread

    First post on here, so be nice.. :) Took a walk up from the Monadh Ruadh (Black Isle) Forestry Commission carpark today, it takes you up towards Ferintosh. We set off well after 2pm so it was already pretty murky. It's a nice spot though and well worth another visit, its mainly plantation wood...
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