The Highlands and Islands Thread (1 Viewer)

[B Whyte]

Chuffed to find my own lifer Bean Goose amongst the 2 or 3 thousand Pink Foots that descended upon Udale Bay on Sunday afternoon and even managed a decent pic too. 3 Pale bellied Brents were also in the bay. Along at Jemimaville further east were c300 Scaup the most i've ever seen here with previous counts around 1 to 200. A Kestrel feeding on a headstone over at the church was also a great moment to witness.

 

[B Whyte]

Found myself a wee Highland tick yesterday with the bonnie Redhead Smew on a loch south of Aviemore. Capped off a lovely day in Speyside with Black Grouse, Cresties, Crossbill, Dipper, Whoopers and all the other usual suspects.

 

[B Whyte]

Always an absolute thrill to see a Barn Owl and this was no different last night when i took a drive in the dead of night around Fort George and the carse of Ardersier. This was our only owl of the night sadly but it did not disappoint letting us enjoy it for a few minutes before ghosting off back into the night. Magic.

 

[Scozmos]

Ardersier and Inverness wander
Just driven back down from Ardersier, in THE worst downpour for ages but, home and safe
Enjoyed an impromptu wander up the northern end of the Caledonian Canal yesterday 31st Oct, from the Jammie Piece to the north end and back. I'd never walked the canal at all so it was more of an explore on a beautiful, chilly day but, I spotted several (5/6) little Grebes on the canal, maybe Little Grebes but I couldn't confirm it although they certainly looked like it in the distance. Right at the northern end of the canal, where it joins the Beauly Firth a decent flock of Widgeon were patrolling the shore and flew off as we wandered by, don't you hate it when you didn't take the binoculars OR camera!? I'll definitely make a point of walking here again, better prepared next time and maybe walk the entire length towards Loch Ness.
A quick walk around Fort George shore this morning didn't produce much at all, the tide was heading out but plenty Cormorants, a few Guillemot and the usual gulls hanging around, plenty fish jumping though, Sea Trout?
I did, however, manage to grab a few iffy shots of a bird that shot by close to the shore and low on the water and it was only now, on the 'pooter that I think I see a Brent Goose, anyone like to confirm it for me?


It was a solitary bird, no there geese seen on this walk. Six Eider did fly up the firth towards Inverness but my panning skills, hand held at 600mm really didn't make trying for a shot worth it. MUST carry the tripod more often.
Both great walks, the canal being a first for me and a bit of an eye opener.

 

[MikeInPA]

Looks like you had a nice little trip. Certainly looks like a Brent to me. 👍

 

[delia todd]

Nice one Scoz.

And yes, a lonely Brent Goose.

 

[Scozmos]

Nice one Scoz.

And yes, a lonely Brent Goose.

Thank you @MikeInPA & Delia, I was thrown by th fact that it was skimming the surface, I forgot a Red Breasted Merganser, even worse shots

 

[B Whyte]

Decided to scan the eastern ridges from the lower car park up the mountain this morning and boom! bagged myself a lifer Ptarmigan and not just one but two birds together feeding amongst the boulders. The first was pure snowy white and caught the eye as i scanned across with the scope. Got on it immediately and felt that excitement when you see your first of a new species. Then behind it coming mooching over the rocks was another bird this one was much more mottled and not pure white like the other. Perhaps half grey and half white. I watched them feed on the grassy areas always moving in and out behind the rocks before losing them completely and despite another 45mins scanning around I never seen them or any others again. Delighted to finally tick this top target of mine with the future aim to get closer views. It was a stunning day down in Speyside with perfect blue skies and a lovely crisp chill in the air. Love it.

 

[B Whyte]

American Herring Gull in Fort William today