My daughter ( at 4 y o ) started to take pics of me with my mobile phone when I had nodded off. She would send them to random people in my phone book. Normally not very flattering ones of me dribbling of something. I'd find them in my 'messages' days/weeks later |:$|
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Griswold's Vacations 2019 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ClarkWGriswold
- Start date
My daughter ( at 4 y o ) started to take pics of me with my mobile phone when I had nodded off. She would send them to random people in my phone book. Normally not very flattering ones of me dribbling of something. I'd find them in my 'messages' days/weeks later |:$|
Very fine looking pooch!
Paul Longland
Well-known member
I am drooling just looking at the pic. One of the best things about the area, apart from the fantastic birding of course, is the stunning fresh seafood.
I have to agree that the fish and chip cabin on the harbour at Oban is a great place to visit while waiting to board the ferry.
:-O:-O
So yesterday my oldest was complaining about not having enough seafood. So his mum and grandmother took him, and his brother into Tobermory. The old man and I ducked out with Bud. I should also say that whilst everyone else were sleeping, Bud and I went out for a couple of miles walk just to stretch his legs. Had fantastic views of a family ofSpotted Flycatchers by the Old Byre in Dervaig.
Off we set and pulled in at Salen to scan the sea. Absolutely nothing except a few Shags. This was to be the theme throughout the day. With the exception of a few Red-Breasted Mergansers (all females), we saw virtually nothing on the sea/sea lochs. Are they all skulking somewhere moulting after breeding?
The next decent birds were down to some superb fieldcraft... ok we got lucky. :smoke: Turned down the wrong road and stumbled upon a family of 3 Golden Eagles. Fantastic views of the king of birds. A Greenshank was also on the Loch.
Next it was off to Lochbuie. Decent views of Ravens and a Merganser but little else. Loch Scridian and Loch Na Keal we’re similarly quiet. Had fantastic views of a flyover White-Tailed Eagle along the road by Loch Na Keal though. The weather really turned for the worse now so we decided to call it a day.
Off we set and pulled in at Salen to scan the sea. Absolutely nothing except a few Shags. This was to be the theme throughout the day. With the exception of a few Red-Breasted Mergansers (all females), we saw virtually nothing on the sea/sea lochs. Are they all skulking somewhere moulting after breeding?
The next decent birds were down to some superb fieldcraft... ok we got lucky. :smoke: Turned down the wrong road and stumbled upon a family of 3 Golden Eagles. Fantastic views of the king of birds. A Greenshank was also on the Loch.
Next it was off to Lochbuie. Decent views of Ravens and a Merganser but little else. Loch Scridian and Loch Na Keal we’re similarly quiet. Had fantastic views of a flyover White-Tailed Eagle along the road by Loch Na Keal though. The weather really turned for the worse now so we decided to call it a day.
Been following a vegetarian diet for 6 weeks Mike but decided to have a week off and include fish/shellfish. Hence the slight OD:eat:
Rich
Hope you didn't eat all that to yourself ?
That would be purely shellfish |;|
(I'll get my coat)
Don’t give up your day job Mr N. :-O
So yesterday we caught the 1st ferry over to Ardnamurchan at 07:30. Return cost c£60 for 4 adults, 2 children, 2 cars and a small horse:smoke:. CalMac has always run an excellent service whenever I’ve used them and they’ve been great value too. Got chatting to a Spanish fella whilst waiting for the ferry. Decent fella living temporarily in Edinburgh. Said he was heading toward Eilean Donnan Castle so despite his name being Jose I mentally renamed him Ramirez (my turn to get my coat Mr N:eek!: And before anyone says I’m pretty sure that I remember Ramirez was actually Portuguese)
Hardly any birds on either leg of the ferry trip. The odd Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill and Manxie was all I could locate. The old man on the other hand did manage an Arctic Skua which I missed as I was downstairs with Bud who was a little nervous on the ferry.
At Kilchoan we had a few Twite and Linnets before heading to Strontian.
Hardly any birds on either leg of the ferry trip. The odd Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill and Manxie was all I could locate. The old man on the other hand did manage an Arctic Skua which I missed as I was downstairs with Bud who was a little nervous on the ferry.
At Kilchoan we had a few Twite and Linnets before heading to Strontian.
Stopping off at Garbh Eilean hide again there was virtually nothing on the water. Plenty of Common Seals on the island and in the Loch itself. 3 birders then turned up whom Bud took a dislike to. No idea why but possibly because they came upon us suddenly, or possibly because they were carrying tripods etc. After apologising he calmed and they were great. Hope you all have a good week gents.
At Strontian we stopped at the little Cafe I’d been to before next to the shop. Delicious coffee and veggie breakfast, and great value too. The old man gave the thumbs up for his bacon and haggis roll. Whilst the boys went to the park, myself, my father and Bud walked up alongside the river. Upstream of the second bridge was a group of Mallard. I did pick out one which had potential but we were peering through extremely thick vegetation and the birds were in eclipse plumage. I’ve heard there are now a few hybrids around as well. The birds were spooked and unfortunately, Black Duck has to remain off my life list... for now:-C
From here we headed back to Sanna. Both the boys had a great time in the sea there. Can’t think of a nicer beach that I’ve been to anywhere. The old man spotted a Twite and as we were leaving he also spotted a solitary Red-throated Diver. The only diver of any species we’ve seen all trip!
From here we caught the ferry back and drove back to the cottage. Several Common Buzzards lined the telegraph poles on the way. A glass of wine finished off the day nicely. B
At Strontian we stopped at the little Cafe I’d been to before next to the shop. Delicious coffee and veggie breakfast, and great value too. The old man gave the thumbs up for his bacon and haggis roll. Whilst the boys went to the park, myself, my father and Bud walked up alongside the river. Upstream of the second bridge was a group of Mallard. I did pick out one which had potential but we were peering through extremely thick vegetation and the birds were in eclipse plumage. I’ve heard there are now a few hybrids around as well. The birds were spooked and unfortunately, Black Duck has to remain off my life list... for now:-C
From here we headed back to Sanna. Both the boys had a great time in the sea there. Can’t think of a nicer beach that I’ve been to anywhere. The old man spotted a Twite and as we were leaving he also spotted a solitary Red-throated Diver. The only diver of any species we’ve seen all trip!
From here we caught the ferry back and drove back to the cottage. Several Common Buzzards lined the telegraph poles on the way. A glass of wine finished off the day nicely. B
Hi Rich. They couldn’t do another 4 hour trip and unfortunately my parents didn’t fancy the 7 hour trip. It’ll have to wait for another time:-C. The weather has not been great tbh. We had a decent morning today but it lashed down all afternoon. Dry now though so we’ve just walked up to the Bellachroy Inn - the oldest pub on Mull apparently. Not a great choice of beer but it’s dog friendly :t:
Rich
Paul Longland
Well-known member
. I’ve heard there are now a few hybrids around as well. The birds were spooked and unfortunately, Black Duck has to remain off my life list... for now:-C
Ha! you and me both Rich. I have had five attempts over three trips in the last four years to try and nail this particular quacker but all to no avail. The first time I went for it, it had been reported almost daily sitting in a front garden near the post office for the previous week or so too.
Nearest I got was one its many offspring in a group of Mallards up by the main road bridge at the top of the Loch.
At this rate, as it is unlikely that I will get the chance to get up that way again any time soon, I will have to wait until one turns up at Rutland Water.:-C
My second time to dip as well Paul. Similar to yourself I’m not likely to be in the area for at least 2 years. At least you’ll have more chance at Rutland than I will at Kenfig:-C
Rich
So the last couple of days we’ve been doing some family things. As such there’s not much to feedback other than having great views of the Otter again at Croig. Seems to work the area on the incoming tide. Also picked up a Grey Wagtail here as well. Unfortunately I didn’t have any cash on me but the fishermen were selling their lobsters at £15 a pop at Croig. Great value.
Today we went into Tobermory and came back via Glengorm. Heaps of Ravens near the rubbish tip and the third Hen Harrier of the trip near Glengorm itself. Heading home tomorrow so that’s probably it for this trip. Will put up a link to the cottage when I get home.
Rich
Today we went into Tobermory and came back via Glengorm. Heaps of Ravens near the rubbish tip and the third Hen Harrier of the trip near Glengorm itself. Heading home tomorrow so that’s probably it for this trip. Will put up a link to the cottage when I get home.
Rich
Left the cottage at 06:00 yesterday morning and got home at 20:30:eek!:. Never travelling home on the Friday before the bank holiday again. Traffic in England was murder.
Thought I had a Bonxie from the Ferry but could not pick out any wing flashes. Will have to go down as a maybe.
We also saw one of these not so wee beasties in the Green Welly car park. Initially it landed on the old girl:eek!: before flying down to the floor. Thanks to John and Tate on Twitter I now know it’s a Uroceras Gigas- Giant Wood Wasp. An impressive insect.
Thought I had a Bonxie from the Ferry but could not pick out any wing flashes. Will have to go down as a maybe.
We also saw one of these not so wee beasties in the Green Welly car park. Initially it landed on the old girl:eek!: before flying down to the floor. Thanks to John and Tate on Twitter I now know it’s a Uroceras Gigas- Giant Wood Wasp. An impressive insect.
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