Well I hope I'm not tempting fate by starting this thread today. Up until a couple of days ago the first "mini-vacation" was off. Now, as it stands, it's a truncated version of the original itinerary.
Thanks to D for thread advice and massive apologies to Ian for messing up his plans and leave arrangements.
Hopefully we'll be arriving in Nethybridge Wednesday some time, have two full days, before belting back to Neath early Saturday morning whilst the others stay on until Sunday.
Initial plans are for birding and seafood on Thursday. So the Pass of the Cattle for (hopefully) Ptarmigan and then down to Applecross for Langoustine. Heading round to Aultbea, scanning the bays as we go, and a further "lite" food stop at Shieldaig. The smoked salmon here is amazing. Then back to Nethy stopping wherever looks interesting. I'm suffering from sleep deprivation at the moment so I'm hoping the route will take us past Loch Maree and hopefully Black Throated Divers. I'll take a look at the maps later.
Friday is a planned trip to Mull. Fingers crossed this will produce the birding results as it has done in the past:t:
Then an early night before heading back to Neath - stopping for a stroll around Loch Garten on the way and maybe a quick detour to Pitlochry for RND.
As always, any advice would be great fully received though I'm massively stretched for time on this trip. I see American Wigeon has been seen in Inverness, Iceland Gulls at Aviemore Tip and Brambling at Mains of Garten. I'm never sure where Mains of Garten in - I've presumed it's on the road past the primary school but am never sure. If anyone is able to confirm that would be great:t:
I think I've got internet connection so will put some sightings up whilst there and then add photos when I get home.
Thanks again for any advice.
Rich
Thanks to D for thread advice and massive apologies to Ian for messing up his plans and leave arrangements.
Hopefully we'll be arriving in Nethybridge Wednesday some time, have two full days, before belting back to Neath early Saturday morning whilst the others stay on until Sunday.
Initial plans are for birding and seafood on Thursday. So the Pass of the Cattle for (hopefully) Ptarmigan and then down to Applecross for Langoustine. Heading round to Aultbea, scanning the bays as we go, and a further "lite" food stop at Shieldaig. The smoked salmon here is amazing. Then back to Nethy stopping wherever looks interesting. I'm suffering from sleep deprivation at the moment so I'm hoping the route will take us past Loch Maree and hopefully Black Throated Divers. I'll take a look at the maps later.
Friday is a planned trip to Mull. Fingers crossed this will produce the birding results as it has done in the past:t:
Then an early night before heading back to Neath - stopping for a stroll around Loch Garten on the way and maybe a quick detour to Pitlochry for RND.
As always, any advice would be great fully received though I'm massively stretched for time on this trip. I see American Wigeon has been seen in Inverness, Iceland Gulls at Aviemore Tip and Brambling at Mains of Garten. I'm never sure where Mains of Garten in - I've presumed it's on the road past the primary school but am never sure. If anyone is able to confirm that would be great:t:
I think I've got internet connection so will put some sightings up whilst there and then add photos when I get home.
Thanks again for any advice.
Rich
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