Cheers Mr N.A great trip so far Rich and still a few days to go.Enjoy Mate
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Griswold’s Vacations 2021 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ClarkWGriswold
- Start date
Day 6
Headed down to Loch Sandaray. Gulls were fairly close so the Iceland Gull was easy to pick out. Next was off to RSPB Balnarald. Enjoyed picking through the flocks of Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers etc. whilst listening to a Corn Bunting.
Over the Committee Road a Short-eared Owl was hunting. Saw 2 more during the day. Next it was off to catch up with Rob and Nerys. Didn’t have long as I had to get back to the family. Lovely walk around though and Rob and Nerys were great company. Heaps of waders were along the beach and also a few Bar-tailed Godwits. Out on the sea were three Great Northern Divers.
Back with the family we headed to Namara for lunch. Max was excited as he’d seen a Short-eared Owl from the back garden. Had the scallops and black pudding this time. Very nice but not as good as the Langoustines and chips. Picked up a couple more Twite just down from the restaurant.
Next it was back to Balnarald. The boys wanted a barbecue on the beach. As we turned off the main road a Corncrake ran across the road in front of us. The spot we had our barbecue is an amazing spot. Turquoise sea and white sands. And empty apart from a couple of others 250 metres along the beach. Had a great time. A bit warmer today so the boys went for a swim. They even managed to get Sars in Whilst eating our food all we could hear was waders, Corn Buntings and Corncrakes. Beautiful.
Headed down to Loch Sandaray. Gulls were fairly close so the Iceland Gull was easy to pick out. Next was off to RSPB Balnarald. Enjoyed picking through the flocks of Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers etc. whilst listening to a Corn Bunting.
Over the Committee Road a Short-eared Owl was hunting. Saw 2 more during the day. Next it was off to catch up with Rob and Nerys. Didn’t have long as I had to get back to the family. Lovely walk around though and Rob and Nerys were great company. Heaps of waders were along the beach and also a few Bar-tailed Godwits. Out on the sea were three Great Northern Divers.
Back with the family we headed to Namara for lunch. Max was excited as he’d seen a Short-eared Owl from the back garden. Had the scallops and black pudding this time. Very nice but not as good as the Langoustines and chips. Picked up a couple more Twite just down from the restaurant.
Next it was back to Balnarald. The boys wanted a barbecue on the beach. As we turned off the main road a Corncrake ran across the road in front of us. The spot we had our barbecue is an amazing spot. Turquoise sea and white sands. And empty apart from a couple of others 250 metres along the beach. Had a great time. A bit warmer today so the boys went for a swim. They even managed to get Sars in
Whilst eating our food all we could hear was waders, Corn Buntings and Corncrakes. Beautiful.Attachments
Scallops with black pudding and Corncrake - sounds like the perfect day to me Rich!Day 6
Headed down to Loch Sandaray. Gulls were fairly close so the Iceland Gull was easy to pick out. Next was off to RSPB Balnarald. Enjoyed picking through the flocks of Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers etc. whilst listening to a Corn Bunting.
Over the Committee Road a Short-eared Owl was hunting. Saw 2 more during the day. Next it was off to catch up with Rob and Nerys. Didn’t have long as I had to get back to the family. Lovely walk around though and Rob and Nerys were great company. Heaps of waders were along the beach and also a few Bar-tailed Godwits. Out on the sea were three Great Northern Divers.
Back with the family we headed to Namara for lunch. Max was excited as he’d seen a Short-eared Owl from the back garden. Had the scallops and black pudding this time. Very nice but not as good as the Langoustines and chips. Picked up a couple more Twite just down from the restaurant.
Next it was back to Balnarald. The boys wanted a barbecue on the beach. As we turned off the main road a Corncrake ran across the road in front of us. The spot we had our barbecue is an amazing spot. Turquoise sea and white sands. And empty apart from a couple of others 250 metres along the beach. Had a great time. A bit warmer today so the boys went for a swim. They even managed to get Sars in
Chris
We’ve already been discussing a return trip Chris
Original PaulE
Well-known member
Definitely got me thinking about a return trip with this report!! Think the best thing is the random ,Male Hen Harrier/Short-earred owl flew past the car bits!!!!We’ve already been discussing a return trip Chris
Day 7
Hi Paul. I had a lie in this morning (6:30) as I had a trip with Outer Hebrides Birds - Steve. Opened the roller blind in the kitchen and the first bird I saw was a Short-eared Owl carrying a Vole. Then took the dog for a walk before leaving. People are so friendly on the Island. Everyone slowing to pass us and often waving. Getting back to the cottage a Hen Harrier flew over me in the front garden! No more than 25 feet up
Got to pack now so will finish the rest off either later, or tomorrow.
Original PaulE
Well-known member
Yep the cottage we stayed in had, Curlew, Snipe, Redshank and Oystercatcher in the field behind it and Short-earred Owl was hunting it regularly wonderful place!Day 7
Hi Paul. I had a lie in this morning (6:30) as I had a trip with Outer Hebrides Birds - Steve. Opened the roller blind in the kitchen and the first bird I saw was a Short-eared Owl carrying a Vole. Then took the dog for a walk before leaving. People are so friendly on the Island. Everyone slowing to pass us and often waving. Getting back to the cottage a Hen Harrier flew over me in the front garden! No more than 25 feet up
Got to pack now so will finish the rest off either later, or tomorrow.
Day 7 Contd.
So Steve picked us up at 08:45. Spent the rest of the day birding around South Uist with 4 others. Had a great day.
Birds seen included: 5 or 5 White-tailed Eagles, Common Whitethroats, Barwits, Corncrakes, Red-necked Phalarope, Hen Harriers, Twite, SEO’s, Pale bellied Brent Goose, Whooper Swan, Cuckoo, Raven, RTD,GND etc. etc.
Also had great views of 2 Otters.
Rich
So Steve picked us up at 08:45. Spent the rest of the day birding around South Uist with 4 others. Had a great day.
Birds seen included: 5 or 5 White-tailed Eagles, Common Whitethroats, Barwits, Corncrakes, Red-necked Phalarope, Hen Harriers, Twite, SEO’s, Pale bellied Brent Goose, Whooper Swan, Cuckoo, Raven, RTD,GND etc. etc.
Also had great views of 2 Otters.
Rich
Attachments
Dave Coker
Member
Hi Rich I’ve been following your trip with interest as we were on the Uists the week previously and the birding was very hard due to the weather and also there were smaller numbers of some of the usual birds ie Arctic Terns,Dunlin Ringed plover and corncrakes . You have managed to see some great birds despite the weather and reading your posts you have had some great family times (thats what life is about ) Glad you had a good day with Steve Duffield he is a great birder and a good guy . Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your report . Wishing you good birding and great memories.
Dave
Dave
Cheers Dave. Can I thank everyone for all their advice and tips as well. And the trip reports from Paul, 3ItalianBirders etc. Cheers pawb.
Rich
Day 8
A travelling day. Having had Welsh tapas for supper the previous evening we retired to bed shattered. Set the alarm for 03:00. Decided I needed to get up earlier as Bud would need a walk before the Ferry. Now I can only blame my tiredness as I meant to set 02:50 but actually set 14:50!!!! You can see where this is going. Luckily my OH looked at the clock and it was 04:30! Got the kids up, bundled Bud into the boot, threw the coats and rucksacks in and we were on our way. Amazingly the only thing we left were the sandwiches and beakers of squash we had prepared for the day.
Last check in was 05:15 and I genuinely didn’t think we had a hope in hell. After an “interesting” drive we just made it with a couple of minutes to spare
Onto the ferry and I’m pleased to say the boy was less anxious this time. We packed his blanket so he could curl up on the floor and sleep.
Birdwise the Tysties were at Castke Bay and we saw our first Razorbills of the trip. Plenty of Guillemots around and a good number of Manxies. Also had one Bonxie and good numbers of Common Dolphins by Rum. Off Mull were a few Porpoises.
Off the ferry and straight to Nethy. I always drive past RSPB Loch Garten as it’s one of my favourite places. Disappointingly, the place looked like a campsite. At least 10 campers “wild” camping. So we carried on straight past. We’ve stayed in the cottage before so already knew it was extremely comfortable. The boys wasted not time in getting straight in the hot tub. We’d arranged for Tesco to do a delivery and my sister had picked up pies from Grantown and bacon, sausages and Haggis from the butchers in Nethy.
I went for a drive out of the back of Nethy with some of my family. Red-legged Partridges, Cuckoos, Lapwings were seen and Curlews heard. Also saw a few Bunnies, Brown Hare and Roe Deer. A brown bird the size of our target bird flew across the car but it was just too dark at this point to determine what it was.
Headed back to the cottage and had the first Dark Island of the trip. Delicious.
Rich
A travelling day. Having had Welsh tapas for supper the previous evening we retired to bed shattered. Set the alarm for 03:00. Decided I needed to get up earlier as Bud would need a walk before the Ferry. Now I can only blame my tiredness as I meant to set 02:50 but actually set 14:50!!!! You can see where this is going. Luckily my OH looked at the clock and it was 04:30! Got the kids up, bundled Bud into the boot, threw the coats and rucksacks in and we were on our way. Amazingly the only thing we left were the sandwiches and beakers of squash we had prepared for the day.
Last check in was 05:15 and I genuinely didn’t think we had a hope in hell. After an “interesting” drive we just made it with a couple of minutes to spare
Onto the ferry and I’m pleased to say the boy was less anxious this time. We packed his blanket so he could curl up on the floor and sleep.
Birdwise the Tysties were at Castke Bay and we saw our first Razorbills of the trip. Plenty of Guillemots around and a good number of Manxies. Also had one Bonxie and good numbers of Common Dolphins by Rum. Off Mull were a few Porpoises.
Off the ferry and straight to Nethy. I always drive past RSPB Loch Garten as it’s one of my favourite places. Disappointingly, the place looked like a campsite. At least 10 campers “wild” camping. So we carried on straight past. We’ve stayed in the cottage before so already knew it was extremely comfortable. The boys wasted not time in getting straight in the hot tub. We’d arranged for Tesco to do a delivery and my sister had picked up pies from Grantown and bacon, sausages and Haggis from the butchers in Nethy.
I went for a drive out of the back of Nethy with some of my family. Red-legged Partridges, Cuckoos, Lapwings were seen and Curlews heard. Also saw a few Bunnies, Brown Hare and Roe Deer. A brown bird the size of our target bird flew across the car but it was just too dark at this point to determine what it was.
Headed back to the cottage and had the first Dark Island of the trip. Delicious.
Rich
Day 9
Stunning walk around Abernethy Forest with Bud this morning. Not too early as to not disturb anything. Bud was leaning against the lead with his nostrils going - clearly he could smell deer or something. Cuckoo heard along with Willow Warblers and Blackcap. Great view of a Fox and also Roe Deer.
Also had an Osprey later in the morning and a male Goldeneye.
Went to Lochindorb this afternoon. Big mistake. The place was rammed. Cars at every passing place and track. Loads paddle boarding, fishing and canoeing. Very quickly left.
Over at the Findhorn Valley a short walk up the valley gave Golden Eagle, Red Deer, Common Buzzards, Raven and I think a distant Sparrowhawk.
Called into the chippy at Grantown on the way. Lovely curry sauce. The others had 4 jumbo sausages. Appears in Scotland you have to opt out of having them battered. In Wales you have to opt in. Never knew that
Rich
Stunning walk around Abernethy Forest with Bud this morning. Not too early as to not disturb anything. Bud was leaning against the lead with his nostrils going - clearly he could smell deer or something. Cuckoo heard along with Willow Warblers and Blackcap. Great view of a Fox and also Roe Deer.
Also had an Osprey later in the morning and a male Goldeneye.
Went to Lochindorb this afternoon. Big mistake. The place was rammed. Cars at every passing place and track. Loads paddle boarding, fishing and canoeing. Very quickly left.
Over at the Findhorn Valley a short walk up the valley gave Golden Eagle, Red Deer, Common Buzzards, Raven and I think a distant Sparrowhawk.
Called into the chippy at Grantown on the way. Lovely curry sauce. The others had 4 jumbo sausages. Appears in Scotland you have to opt out of having them battered. In Wales you have to opt in. Never knew that
Rich
A word of advice Rich.Don't ask for a Mars Bar In a Scottish Chipper.You may be In for a bigger surprise,than your SausagesCalled into the chippy at Grantown on the way. Lovely curry sauce. The others had 4 jumbo sausages. Appears in Scotland you have to opt out of having them battered. In Wales you have to opt in. Never knew that
Rich
