Moray birding (1 Viewer)

[DMKSlater]

Glad you had a good time Jimmy, the hide at Udale bay is indeed a stunner! Well done on the kites at Tollie, I have been a few times and only ever achieved a very dejected buzzard!

Hopefully bump into you in the future.

Dave

 

[DMKSlater]

2 x Twite Burghead, King Eider still in area.

 

[Pitvar]

Hello all, the the King Eider out of eclipse yet? - I saw it in a very dark eclipse phase last year but might try again if its back to its best

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Not yet....

 

[Pitvar]

Not yet....

Thanks Marcus, I'm up later in November with half a days leave to fill so I may check then

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

I have some shots from December '10 where the plumage has changed.

 

[David Whitaker]

King Eiders come out of eclipse plumage much later than Common Eiders. I remember, when there were up to 3 regularly on the East Sutherland coast in the 1970’s, that they did not attain full plumage before late December or even January. Full breeding plumage is even later. In May last year the drake over on the Ythan in Aberdeen-shire was spectacular. The shields on either side of the bill were twice the size of a winter bird. I had never realised before that the comb was indeed split either side of the bill. Certainly well worth the effort of a trip if it makes a return next spring.

 

[DMKSlater]

King Eider still at Burghead and waxwings reported on Culbin Bar.

 

[Ratal]

Well over one hundred waxwings alongside Tesco roundabout, and another flock of fifty plus birds alongside the Culloden woods track to Balloch.

 

[jpoyner]

Spotted Redshank at Lossie Estuary, just upstream from footbridge.

Hide at Findhorn not open as yet, have had a few comments about the location of the hide and I was thinking of getting in touch with the comittee to see what the possibilities would be of getting it shifted.

Any ideas or thoughts on best location to get things started?

Dave

A bit nearer the shoreline would be sensible. There's a low mound about 100m towards the shore, (where the Giant Hogweed grows), just behind that would seem a good spot

 

[jpoyner]

Beware - Kingsteps car park is now prohibited to cars and a gate to be erected shortly

A novel idea....a Car Park where cars are prohibited, wonder how much someone got paid to come up with that one!

 

[DMKSlater]

A bit nearer the shoreline would be sensible. There's a low mound about 100m towards the shore, (where the Giant Hogweed grows), just behind that would seem a good spot

John, yes that would be a lot better however I did approach the committee and it was a flat "no chance of getting it moved" ho hum back to distant scoping then!

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Thanks Marcus, I'm up later in November with half a days leave to fill so I may check then

The bird is in an advanced state of eclipse now.

Also a Little Auk and 30 Velvet Scoter showing well today

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Here he is

 

[Ratal]

Cracking shot! Really see the detail...

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Cracking shot! Really see the detail...

Thanks Ratal

 

[Ratal]

Well Wax Wings might be more common but I.adore them. Inverness today inundated with them.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Well Wax Wings might be more common but I.adore them. Inverness today inundated with them.

View attachment 414209

Where are you saying them Ratal? Great birds!

 

[Ratal]

Culloden woods fringes, across the road to the Catholic Church, down by Tesco and the dual carrigeway.. The last 5 days flocks of easily 80 + have been about.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Wonderful! Will have to get off the sofa and have a look!