Assnyt area (1 Viewer)

WhiteTailed22

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #1

I'm climbing Stac Pollaidh next Wednesday and was wondering if anyone could recommend some good birding / sites in the Assynt area? Been while since i've been up there and even then, it was more the Achmelvich area. Would be great to see some divers in their summer plumage.

I'm actually going to be stationed in Dornoch so if anyone could recommend places there too, that would be even better.

 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jul 18, 2020

• #2

When you're in the Assynt area, just stop and scan at every loch you pass. A lot of them have divers.

Have you time to get hold of Gordon Hamlett's book, Best Birdwatching Sites Scottish Highlands. It's excellent and covers the area well. If you're lucky he might look in on this thread and pop in with some advice.

I'm sure others will be along soon with some ideas for you that know the area better than me.

 

Sandra (Taylor)

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #3

delia todd said:

When you're in the Assynt area, just stop and scan at every loch you pass. A lot of them have divers.

Have you time to get hold of Gordon Hamlett's book, Best Birdwatching Sites Scottish Highlands. It's excellent and covers the area well. If you're lucky he might look in on this thread and pop in with some advice.

I'm sure others will be along soon with some ideas for you that know the area better than me.

Click to expand...

I will second Delia's comments about GH's book - excellent information throughout.

 

WhiteTailed22

Well-known member

• Jul 18, 2020

• #4

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. I'll do my best to get hold of Gordon's book before then. Heard many great things.

 

Mono

Hi!

Staff member

Supporter

• Jul 18, 2020

• #5

The Scottish Ornithological Club has a free "Where to find birds in Scotland" app

https://www.the-soc.org.uk/about-us/app

 

Muso

Well-known member

• Jul 21, 2020

• #6

Sorry, only just saw this post. For Dornoch area, see post 4 in the thread below for my list, and also what's in the area. Most sightings around Loch Fleet, The Mound, Balblair Wood, Embo to Dornoch beach walk. Walk Highlands has some good walks in the area. Lovely place - enjoy!
https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=354013

 

Last edited: Jul 21, 2020

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Jul 21, 2020

• #7

I was in Sutherland last week. There was a fair amount to see, particularly raptors. In eastern Sutherland e.g. around Dornoch and Loch Fleet, you should see Osprey and Red Kite easily. The viewpoint at Little Assynt is a good place to scan for raptors. I saw more divers on the sea than on freshwater. Golspie was particularly good for Black-throated Divers, with quite a few present, all in summer plumage.

 

Dmacaskill

Well-known member

• Jul 22, 2020

• #8

Andrew, i think it may have been you i met at Dornoch Point last week? we were chatting about the Sanderlings. I asked you if you had seen any skuas?
Also do you drive a Mini if you do then it was definitely you!

Dean

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Jul 22, 2020

• #9

Dmacaskill said:

Andrew, i think it may have been you i met at Dornoch Point last week? we were chatting about the Sanderlings. I asked you if you had seen any skuas?
Also do you drive a Mini if you do then it was definitely you!

Dean

Click to expand...

Yes, I think that would have been me. The mini was a hire car, so I don't normally drive one! Good to meet you.