Hi All,
I know we’re only just creeping in to summer but I’m already starting to weigh up my options for seawatching this autumn. I recently moved to Lairg in Sutherland, Lairg is fairly well situated to be able to reach the north, east and west coasts so I figure gales from most directions should produce passage somewhere.
Last year I was based in Portskerra on the north coast during August and September and despite putting in the hours in all sorts of conditions (I could seawatch from the house!) the only wind that produced decent numbers of seabirds (including 3 Sabs and 2 Leach’s) was a beefy North-Westerly in late September. Winds from the North-east, North and West produced very little. So… If it goes North-westerly I’ll head to Strathy Point on the north coast but does anyone have any experience of the East and West coasts of Sutherland? Tarbat Ness, Brora and Chanonry Point can produce the goods and I believe anything from the South-east to the North-east is ideal? What about straight Northerlies or does this push birds that are working their way out of the north sea offshore? What about Stoer point and other west coast headlands? Will a South-westerly or Westerly produce the goods here or are North-Westerlies still ideal?
If anyone has watched any of these sites before (or has any other tips on birding the coast up here-my few visits to the coast in the spring were largely fruitless) and has any useful info it’d be much appreciated,
Cheers,
Alex.
I know we’re only just creeping in to summer but I’m already starting to weigh up my options for seawatching this autumn. I recently moved to Lairg in Sutherland, Lairg is fairly well situated to be able to reach the north, east and west coasts so I figure gales from most directions should produce passage somewhere.
Last year I was based in Portskerra on the north coast during August and September and despite putting in the hours in all sorts of conditions (I could seawatch from the house!) the only wind that produced decent numbers of seabirds (including 3 Sabs and 2 Leach’s) was a beefy North-Westerly in late September. Winds from the North-east, North and West produced very little. So… If it goes North-westerly I’ll head to Strathy Point on the north coast but does anyone have any experience of the East and West coasts of Sutherland? Tarbat Ness, Brora and Chanonry Point can produce the goods and I believe anything from the South-east to the North-east is ideal? What about straight Northerlies or does this push birds that are working their way out of the north sea offshore? What about Stoer point and other west coast headlands? Will a South-westerly or Westerly produce the goods here or are North-Westerlies still ideal?
If anyone has watched any of these sites before (or has any other tips on birding the coast up here-my few visits to the coast in the spring were largely fruitless) and has any useful info it’d be much appreciated,
Cheers,
Alex.
