Day 3 - Cairngorm

A pretty good forecast meant that today was going to be an ideal time to head for the mountains. Martin and Ian Grant had returned from Mull the previous evening and joined us for a walk to the summit of Cairngorm. This is the only way to guarantee the key birds as the lazy train option means you can’t leave the ‘comfort’ of the mountain station. We chose the ‘windy ridge’ path and headed ever upwards, the views towards distant Loch Morlich were breathtaking!






It took us 90 minutes to reach the mountain station with just a Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail and Wheatear to show for our efforts!








Nearly there!






After a tip off, we eventually located a couple of male Ptarmigan across the slopes near the station and enjoyed decent scope views. I only had the 100-400mm zoom lens and even though the birds were too distant they flew even further away down the slope.

Signing in to have a cuppa, we relaxed in the mountain restaurant before the final push of 120m to the summit. We didn't entirely escape the rain but nice to see most of the showers falling on Loch Morlich!!








A Ptarmigan visible on the skyline simply melted into ‘nowhere’ as we reached the ridge it was on?

The views were even more exhilarating now but as we neared the summit, we walked into a brief squall taking shelter in the lee of the cairn. It was at this point we realised we had ‘lost’ Martin’! Given the conditions, changeable but generally very good, it was not moment for concern, he wasn’t far away. Eventually, a head appeared and then a hand – it was beckoning us!! Realising he had obviously found something, hopefully it wasn't just a rainbow!








we headed down….. He had certainly found something worthwhile - a pair of Dotterel!

We took a few pictures and then suddenly realised there were more, the final tally was seven.










They were feeding and one or two engaged in display activity so we didn’t approach them, simply sat there watching as they circled around us. Including this smart female....










Shaking the raindrops off....






By 3.45, I suddenly realised time was moving on and booked to give a talk at the Grant Arms hotel at 6.00, it was a rather rapid descent to the station, taking in the final view....






an even more rapid 8 minute descent to the car park and then a ‘sensible’ drive back to Grantown on Spey. The venue was reached by 5.45 and after entertaining a small audience on the delights of ‘Shropshire Peregrines’, eventually booked into the sumptuous surroundings of this ‘comfortable’ hotel – base for the next four nights……

Day 2 - Findhorn and Loch Ruthven

An early start at Loch Garten where hopes of a second lifer were to be realised. Having dipped Caper on my last holiday here, it was a huge relief when a single male Capercaillie was found, perched up in a tree and offering pretty good scope views. The downside was the awkwardness of the view coupled with the tetchiness of the assembled birders and wardens. It was worth the £1 but I won’t be doing that again in a hurry!! The Ospreys were also seen briefly at the nest and two Crested Tits near to the car park – not a bad start to the day before another huge fried Breakfast!

Findhorn valley was the destination for the morning, gorgeous scenery....







Plus birds here and there including Common Sandpiper and Common Tern. Every bridge was checked but not a Dipper in sight! There was not going to be an Eagle in sight either as the rain came down and eventually after an hour it was time to move on…..

The plantation at the start of the Farr Road produced a group of five Crossbill and apart for a Kestrel there was not a raptor in sight over the tops!






Loch Ruthven produced a Red-throated Diver plus three Slavonian Grebes from the hide. These were pretty close but shooting down from a raised hide into the light is not a good option!










The light was better from the small 'beach' with this other Slav on the windswept water....






The day ended with a brief check of Tulloch Moor and a Cuckoo brought the trip list up to 75 species....

The Slavs rescued an otherwise disappointing day but thats birding in Scotlnad for you!

Scotland Day 1 - Lochindorb and Burghead

The journey North on Sunday had resulted in 40+ birds on the Scottish ‘trip list’. Newbie barns was responsible for most of these but not a Skua in sight as the 90 minutes stop coincided unfortunately with low tide. A distant Slavonian Grebe in summer plumage from the road near Avielochen was the last and first ‘good’ bird of the day!

A haggis laced fried Breakfast got the energy levels going not to mention cholesterol and fist stop of the day was at Lochindorb.

Good morning Lochindorb......






This was meant to produce Black-throated Divers but the first birds seen were a pair of Red-throated Divers......










A slow cruise around the loch added Redshank plus a couple of confiding Common Sandpipers!













The next destination was Burghead, the journey featuring the closest view I’ve ever had of a Red Deer (I could see the whites of of it’s eyes through the windscreen as it bounded across the road!) Hopes of White-billed Diver were high as one had been in the area for the past week! This would be a lifer for me but after two hours scanning from near the Maltings, there was still no sign :-(. The seawatch produced more Red-throated Divers, Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag with single Black Guillemot and Long-tailed Duck the most notable birds.

If only all sea watching was in scenery like this.....








Eventually after moving over to the headland and scanning ever further out to sea, Yvonne came out with three memorable words – “is this it!” Bloody hell, one glance was enough to confirm the ‘banana bill’ was still around, the large white bill reflecting in the sunlight like a beacon. Trouble was, at extreme distance, it was hard enough work with a scope never mind a camera.

Even halfway to the horizon, I could find that bill in the viewfinder...... eventually! (record shot personified!)






The views were actually much better through a scope!

It's somewhere out in front of us here......






An early evening check of Lochindorb on the return journey produced Wheatear and Red Grouse.......










.......before a really memorable experience!

A pair of Black-throated Divers were calling on the water and busy displaying as they drifted into the bay by the castle remains.










Closer still.....











but by this time, the rain was falling down and shots of a lifetime were thwarted by the low light.....












It had been a brilliant day but there was a classic ending as an Osprey, bird number 58 for the trip, rounded off the day, flying overhead, circling and plunging only to emerge fishless before slowly drifting out of view.

Goodnight Lochindorb.....






Scotland at it''s best - I love it - days like this should never end.......

Longmynd - Dotterel feast

I was sat at Manchester Airport Sunday evening witing for Gemma when news of an amazing NINE Dotterel present on the Longmynd surfaced. Knowing I wouldn’t be back in Shrewsbury before 9 o’clock, getting there was out of the question! The other question – would they stick??

Rob Stokes had seen them the previous evening but sensing there may be a pic or two in the offing, joined me to check out the glider station first thing. We were up there for 7.30 and yes they were still there! They were a little bit flighty, taking off once or twice before returning to the grass of the runway.....

Here's six of them!






Marching in a line towards us.....








Ever closer!






A Renault Megane (or come to think of it any car) makes a perfect hide and did so for the first 45 minutes or so. The glider station personnel decided otherwise and we were asked to leave!

One of the males busily feeding and posing....










The Dotterel were still obliging as we returned on foot. How about this awesome female?












I like to pick a favourite!






Eventually, the departure of a bright yellow Gyro-copter was too much for them and they flew off – this time for good!

It had been a feast and another was to follow. Another visitation from the glider club personnel took place but this time it was friendly fire – an offer of breakfast in fact!!

It was an offer too good to refuse as we tucked into the ‘glider bap’.






The gyro had spooked the Dotterel from the area and despite searching they were not seen again that morning!

With news of a Ruff and two Green Sandpiper at Venus Pool, an afternoon call there was due......