Scotland Trip.

       Thanks to WBC took the opportunity to head North last Saturday. Weather odd but birding good.

Sunday 

 

Up early, that is 5am and of across the road for a short 2 mile hike. A small Lochin, held 6 GOLDENEYE and a pair of very noisy COMMON SAND, soon followed by numbers of TREE PIPIT, MEADOW PIPIT, a single SNIPE and fly over COMMON TERN, 1 COMMON BUZZARD, SKYLARK, CUCKOO calling across the valley and a TAWNEY OWL to. 1 COMMON PHEASANT, SONG THRUSH and PIED WAG,

 

Granton On Spey, Woods: Walk into woods and immediately two RED SQUIRREL, WILLOW WARBLER, COAL TIT,SONG THRUSH which led   to a walk along the Spey which brought in GREY WAG, RED SQUIRREL, HOUSE SPARROW, BLACKBIRD, JACKDAW, ROOK, CROW, HOUSE MARTIN, SWALLOW, SAND MARTIN, GOLDCREST, COAL TIT, COMMON SAND, SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, SWIFT, GREY HERON.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

 

Aberneathy RSPB. This walk had the intention of locating two locally important birds. However we only gained one of them which was a CREASTED TIT. Which was difficult to locate and when we did I had a really good view. At 15 feet not bad as it sat and looked at much at me as I did at him. I also had GREY WAG, SPOTTED FLY, GREAT S WOOD, but of real interest was the TREE PIPITES feeding young.

Loch Garten:  Although the osprey here had failed to nest with the young dying in the nest, I had WILLOW WARB, L-T-TIT, COAL TIT, RED SQUIRREL, and a bank vole.

Avielochan:   This is a call in with a mission and sure enough SLAVONIAN GREBE but also sad as there was only one. The last reserve of these birds in the UK.

 

Tuesday

 

Findor Glen:  This ride out took us to the end and was our first sighting of KESTREL, RING OUSEL, PERI, WHEATEAR, RED B MERGANSER. We then went over the tops and caught up with RED GROUSE with chicks running over the road and RAVENS on the heights as well as C BUZZARD.

North Kessock:  Short call in at the lifeboat station to view under the bridge. Our first sighting of TERNS and CORMORANT.

Chinnory Point, Black Isle:  On golf course TWITE, YELLOWHAMMER, COMMON, SANDWICH, ARCTIC TERN, but I also got onto a ARCTIC SKUA which was a good one for here. Also GULLIMOT.

 

Wednesday

 

Cairngorms:  We went to the top on a guided tour and picked up on the classic PTARMIGAN which all the way up was difficult to locate. But on way down one was very close and one could not ask for more. We also had 3 DOTTREL which was more than likely the same bird. Also 2 MOUNTAIN HARES.

Feshie:  This site hidden from view was an expected Capa area but the only thing we found was poo, but then the birds could have been there but no sign of any, but we did have WILLOW WARB, TREE PIP, MEADOW PIP, WREN, ROBIN and MISTLE THRUSH.

 

Thursday

The day started for me with a male Bullfinch only yards from our accommodation, but then breakfast beckoned. So a big thank you to Kathy for all her hard work.

We had failed to catch up with an OSPREY all week, but things were about to change as we set out for a location we had been given the nod on. We gained a short sight of one flying near Aviemore railway station. But sightings improved once we had walked through a cemetery to find the male sitting above the nest and a female sitting tight on her young. Which is good news, as the nest at Lock Garten had failed this year. 

Insh Marsh RSPB Reserve:     We had enjoyed the previous evening with Peter and Hilary, meeting up with Peter at “Ivy Cottage” the reserve base. We were treated to a guided tour over the marsh which was a real privilege, as this is off limits to many. A young family of Goldeneye cruising away from us in the relief channel with a male the other side keeping an eye on proceedings. The sound and sight of CURLEW and snipe flying around, was a joy to behold and hear.  As we approached the river Spey a very large flock of GREY LAG GEESE could be seen on the other side of the far bank, with GOLDENEYE on the river.

 Insh Hide:    A truly amazing hide with a grand sight across the marsh. A Roe Deer grazing below, with LAPWING, CANADA GEESE, GREY LAG GEESE, REDSHANK and good numbers of GREY HERON. As for the feeder SISKIN, COAL TIT, BLUE TIT and GREAT TIT as well as a bank vole on the deck.

Lochindorb:   or “Loch of trouble” ( No reflection on any of our group)  We headed for Lochindorb on what is called  “The Old Military Road” this gave us a view of four RED GROUSE. Turning onto a single track, we found a nesting colony of several hundred COMMON GULLS, which is something we never see here in East Anglia. But why is everything common? But once we parked up at the Loch edge a pair of BLACK THROATED DIVER came into view, a far better one than at Ness Point. Then two fly over ospreys and yet more red grouse, followed by the only teal of the week.

Friday

 

Area around An Lochan Uaine:

I managed to add a bird to my life list which I have struggled to get. The main reason for this is that I tent to visit late in the year so to gain a CAPA is good. How it came about was that the sound of a redstart could be heard low down on a mountain slope. I and another team member headed of to locate but failed to do so. We were about to return the way we came and I suggested that we take a few steps further so we could get a flat area to view. Only ten steps away and sure enough as I made the move up flew a female CAPA. Flying of to our left it clattered through the trees with the tail band visible. It took of only feet away and must have been watching us for some time.

Also here we had a family of STONECHAT with young being fed by parents. Also our only GOLDEN EAGLE which although well of was visible and identifiable. GOLDCREST, WILLOW WARBLER, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 7. 

Bird List for week:

The Osprey.

A graveyard seems a funny place.
To see an osprey, oh such grace.
But perhaps, not so strange at all,
As you listen to the osprey call.

No shouting here, “Will you please be quiet”
As Weasel roars another fart.
And someone laughs with happy glee.
To see an osprey in a tree.

To the high pitch of the osprey tone.
 The cemetery will be left alone.
 Left in peace they soon shall be.
As ospreys head across the sea.

But soon upon this favoured glen.
 The call will ring out ag’in.
 As those who lie beneath the ground.
Will, wake to here a higher sound.