Thursday 25 December 2014

Merry Christmas!! Today started with a beautiful walk up the Grantown view points, it was a fantastic morning -4 and bright sunshine and 21 willing walkers assembled outside the magnificent Grant Arms Hotel, home of the BWWC.

On the walk to the viewpoints some of the commoner birds were notched up, Collard Dove, Starling, Blue, Great and Coal Tits all put in an appearance. Arriving at the old railway line the weather was still holding, and the birds were feeling spring like, with both the Great and Coal Tit giving their spring songs!  We also found the some hair ice, the first time I have seen this form of frost, and a very unusual sight it was. Chaffinch and Siskin buzzed about and I heard a single bullfinch call, soon we were climbing up to the first viewpoint.

Birdlife at the top was fairly quite so after a brief rest and a long lingering view of the above scenery we were soon heading back to the hotel, fresh faced and ready for Christmas lunch, highlight of the return trip was a female bullfinch munching away happily in the sunshine.

The Christmas lunch was absolutely outstanding, the Chefs had outdone themselves and it was a first class meal, the Dining Room staff were attentive and very efficient, and the multipurpose bar staff didn’t seemed phased regardless of what task was given to them and the reception was manned by the highly organised Marion, everyone involved did a brilliant job and made the whole break an absolute pleasure. Finally a big thank you to John and Nicola for the invite, it really is appreciated. To Santa sorry David Duncan for making things run so smoothly, and also thank you to Sue, Gordon and Chris, Graham and Rosemarie, Duncan and Peter for making the day complete for Lynda and myself.  Ho Ho Ho (I look forward to your Antarctica talk Duncan grrrrrrrrrrrr)

Special Offer for 30 and 31 December 2014

See out 2014 in style

Monday 15 December 2015

Sorting through some folders of “pictures to be sorted” I came across these stunning pictures sent to me by David Burliegh. This exquisite bird was seen on the Darnaway estate and since this picture was taken at least two of these Blue Pheasants have seen regularly. Beautiful pictures so a big thanks to David Burliegh for allowing me to use them.

Sunday 14 December 2014

A Mediterranean Gull at Embo, Highlands today (as per birdguides.com) just how wrong can a bird get it?! Possibly one of my favourite pictures of the year, if you look closely you can see the reflection of the Ptarmigan Restaurant in the Ptarmigans eye (yes I know it’s now supposed to be called the 1089 or 5698 or something, but it will always be the Ptarmigan to me!) taken way back in the long hot summer days!

Friday 12 December 2014

Sitting here looking out on a very dull, very wet and very windy landscape, and dreaming of sunny holidays with stunning birds.  A picture that encapsulates both, this little Ruby Throated Hummingbird, photographed in Alberta Canada…….. might start planning a return visit 🙂 The long staying Ring Billed Gull reported again at Dingwall (via Birdguides), I really really need to make the effort to connect with this bird!  New species for the Birding Ecosse list…. Peter if you are reading this, looks like you will be stopping in at Dingwall next week 🙂

Tuesday 09 December 2014

Two Red Necked Grebes reported off WhitenessHead today is an unusual sighting for this area, and Pomarine Skua up at Embo continues the fantastic season for this species.  Both sightings from Bird Guides.

Friday 05 December 2014

Well after a nice relaxing November it is back to a full diary and fuller on birding. It is a great feeling to be out and about with a renewed zest for getting some birding done. Friday 05 December dawned very early and very darkly! The forecast was not looking great, but off Derek and I set with a feeling that all would be alright. Heading towards Inverness and the Inner Moray  Firth it soon become apparent that the birds Derek really wanted see would be better observed at Roseile, cue a right hand turn at Ferness! Soon we were at Burghead and merrily watching Common Eider, Common Scoter, myriads of Long Tailed Ducks and one lone Gannet.  Sammy the Grey Seal also bobbed around in the harbour watching us watching him! Onto Roseisle, where the birds were frustratingly at distance today, however the Male Velvet Scoters did put in brief appearances between the waves showing off their white eye and wing patches. Next onto Nairn and a busy little spell,  the almost winter resident Brent Geese put on a fine display and with the Purple Sandpiper mingling around with the geese it gave a true sense of winter.

Goosander, Red Breasted Merganser and a single Black Guillemot also added a bit of diversity and a Rock Pipit hunted for any type of food between the rocks on the foreshore. Next stop was Loch Flemington, home of last years long staying American Coot, however today it was just the usual Fayre with Moorhen, Mute Swan and Goldeneye adding to the days tally.  Im going for a prediction here though, I reckon the AmCo will turn up again sometime this winter (if the historical records are anything to go by) Off to Alturlie point, looking for the next target species, Scaup.  We were not to be disappointed with a small group of females close to shore and a larger mixed group of males and females further out into the bay.  Bar Tailed Godwits and a nice flock of Knots also in the area. As the light began to fade we drove back to the Grant Arms hotel via a little known Glen. Two things surprised me on this route home, the first being the amount of cars we had to let past, probably 10 (usually you see no vehicle at all!) and two was the covering of snow that was on the roads! On the bird front we notched up Woodcock, Red Legged Partridge, Red Grouse and Pheasant, a nice way to round off the day.

Saturday 15 November 2014

Surprise! Yes I am still out and about folks, just life (birding and non-birding) is still hectic and making getting on the computer almost impossible, however a brief trip into Forres Town this morning produced some nice views of Redwing.  Winter Thrushes have arrived in fantastic numbers over the last week and wherever you go at present there are flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings flushing from every bush. A few Waxwings have been getting reported in the area, however I am still to connect with one of these stunning winter visitors….. so keep tuned.

Tuesday 07 October 2014

It was one of those birding days that come along every now and again. Heading towards Ullapool with some trepidation after yesterday storms, I was concerned there may be a huge sea swell, 1 not good for location birds 2 I’m not the best sea goer! However arriving at the port the water looked flat calm… so far so good! Heading towards the forward observation deck we took up position in the centre of the ship looking forward, as the boat glided out towards the Minch the first birds to come into view were five winter plumaged Black Guillemots. Good numbers of Kittiwakes were buzzing back and forth over the still calm water surface, and the first Bonxies and Gannets made an earlier than usual appearance.  The rain started to increase at this point (about mid Minch) and unfortunately started to obscure the view through the window, so there was nothing else to do apart from donning the gortex and heading up onto the rain swept and deserted deck. Sheltering to the rear of the boat it wasn’t too unpleasant and we started to pick up more and more birds, Great and Arctic Skuas harried kittiwakes and Gannets all over the sky, every where you looked seemed to have a skua, then a club tailed beast flew through the field of vision, the first Pomarine of the day, a pale phase bird still sporting full spooned tailed feather, brilliant! A “kittiwake” flew past, showing dark mantle and forewings… what?…… picked the bird up again and there it was an immature Sabines  Gull feeding along side the Kittiwakes!!  Another Pomarine and another drifted past. Scanning behind the ship I picked up three smaller birds bouncing through the air toward the ship….. my first impression by the bouncing flight was pipit, however as the approached and fluttered around the handrails it soon became apparent they were Brambling!

They were very flighty, not settling for long and in total four birds where seen. They remained on the ship for at least 40 minutes and approached very close at times. Pomarines numbers were increasing and after a brief stop over in Stornoway it was time to head back and the theme continued, four loafing around on the water next to the ship… just amazing! The first Storm Petrel flashed through at distance, as was to be the theme of the day unfortunately and a single Manx Shearwater skimmed the waters surface. Then out of the blue two small waders then appeared to be riding the pressure wave created by the bow, two Dunlin zig zigged for a few seconds before putting on a spurt of speed and headed direct for the mainland. The second bizarre bird encounter of the day! It didn’t stop at birds either, we also encountered good numbers of Common Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise, Two Rissos Dolphins, showing huge dorsal fins (I would estimate two or three times the size of a Bottle Nosed Dolphins) and two Minke Whales. Probably the best ferry crossing I have had and cannot wait until next trip across!

Monday 06 October 2014

Batten down the hatches!! It is so wild outside, all birding activities suspended until tomorrow morning! In the meantime here is a small teaser to get your minds working, so name the bird!

Wednesday 17 September 2014.

As I sit and update this blog, I am looking out on a beautiful autumn morning up here in the Highlands of Scotland, the sun is shining and a autumn mist is clearing slowly from the Pine Forest, a morning to feel happy with life 🙂 It has been a brilliant few days with Birding Ecosse with visitors from way down under Australia, Southern England and most exotic of all Dumbartonshire, thanks to you all for making my job of guiding such a pleasure. We have travelled the breadth of Scotland from Stornoway to Troup head in search of  birds, and have had great success adding many “life list” birds to all who took part, witnessed Minke Whales, Common Dolphins and Porpoises surface on a mirror like Minch, listened to Grey and Common Seals “talk” to each other at close range, plus took in some of the rich historical sights the area has to offer, MacBeth country at it’s best and the “Wolfs Lair” floating on a serene Scottish Loch.

Birding Highlights include flocks of Manx Shearwaters cruising low over the water and a total of three Sooty Shearwaters joining their smaller cousins, fluttering flocks of Storm Petrels, looking so like House Martins as they skimmed and danced on the oil like water surface, the brief visit of the larger Leach’s Petrel was an excellent bonus bird. A helicopter passing overhead the Gannet colony set all the birds to flight, and gave us the opportunity to see just how many birds this colony holds, it truly was a wildlife spectacle that would have impressed even non-birders but the sight of some very young chicks caused concern that they would fledge in time before the cooler weather sets in.

We were lucky with the weather, as has been the case for nearly all my tours this year, with the atmospheric early morning mists clearing quickly to reveal long sunny and at sometimes quite hot weather, we got up to 23 degrees on one afternoon! The only moment of worry was on the Grouse moor where the male Black Grouse were just shadows through the mist, then a slight clearing and there they were, for all of 15 seconds before once again being swallowed up in the white haze! luckily perseverance won out and the visibility went from about 100 meters to crystal clear in a few minutes.

So that was the week that was, the Birding Ecosse species total for 2014 now stands at a fantastic 165! (A full list will be published at the years end) but a great total so far. You can also keep up to date with our exploits on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/dslaterbirdingecosse?ref=hl or on twitter @birdingecosse  see you all on the other side!

Sunday 14 September 2014.

Whilst guiding down at Portgordon I noticed this Herring Gull with a badly deformed bill, quite creepy looking actually.  It was an adult, and apart from the plumage being a bit scruffy, the bird probably isn’t able to preen properly it seemed perky enough.

Monday 08 September 2014

Pig Pen!

Well back to the pig pen, third day in a row, unfortunately on this occasion the Pectoral Sandpiper was nowhere to be seen but that did not detract from the stunning birds that remained. Today’s count, 28 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 8 Black Tailed Godwit, 6 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper and a cracking wee Little Stint!

Saturday 06 September 2014

Unblocking the Blocker – or how to get rid of a bogey bird!

Driving back from Inverness with Lynda today I decided to show her a good time by taking her to the local pig farm to watch the “wader show” that has been in progress the last couple of days. It was good to see the road was clear of other parked cars as we took up position beside the small pool right beside the road, and proceeded to scan the water, what was immediately obvious was the “larger waders” had departed, no Black Tailed Godwits or Ruffs at all!  There was however still 10 Dunlin and one Little Stint feeding away busily. Lynda then pointed out that a larger wader was feeding along the edges of the bigger pool just a little further into the pig field, so we duly moved the car up a few yards and that is where it all changed! It was indeed a larger wader, but a very special wader for me, a Pectoral Sandpiper, a bird I have been trying to catch up with seriously for the last three years! One had been reported on Bird Guides across by Loch Spynie, but here we were watching our very own bird! So for the second time this year Lynda had scored me a lifer! It showed exceptionally well and even allowed me to get some more than passable shots, it was still present when we left… I wonder where I will be heading tomorrow? (but I bet Lynda gets there first!)

Friday 05 September 2014

Just finished a fantastic couple of days guiding Tony, Fiona and Cindy. Broke my mid week special record by connecting with 87 species in two days and Birding Ecosses total for 2014 so far has now reached 160!! Full report will follow shortly, however here are a couple of snapshots to keep you going for now!

Tuesday 02 September 2014

Nice half day tour with Bill, starting off on the Lossiemouth Estuary, Ringed Plovers seem to have done well this year judging by the amount of young birds hanging around the mud flats. Gull numbers were a little lower than usual with one very pale mantled Lesser Black Backed Gull leading to discussions on Yellow Legged Gulls. From the harbour the sea was fairly quiet, with a smattering of Gannets, Kittiwakes and Fulmars in the area, one distant Bonxie was seen, and was to prove to be the only Skua of the day.  At least four Bottlenosed Dolphins made an appearance about mid distance from the harbour wall. Last but not least we set off to Burghead, the male Eiders are still well in eclipse plumage and loafed around just offshore, but star bird for today went to a single Whimbrel call as it flew over the point at Burghead in the company of two Bar Tailed Godwits. Final bird of the day was a fine Peregrine perched on a straw bale beside Findhorn Bay.  Great weather, great company and a top mornings birding.

Monday 25 August 2014

The final morning of this Birding Ecosse long weekend dawned bright, clear and for the first time this season, frosty! I had to scrape the windscreen!  However it was one of these “great to be out early” autumn mornings, even Daphne and Margaret didn’t look too upset at the early morning call! Soon after the pick up we were surrounded by fantastic Scottish moorland,and watching a Black Grouse lek. A total of six/seven males were in the area and although the grass is still fairly high they showed well “strutting their stuff, to who we don’t know as we could not see any females in the area!

Back to the hotel for breakfast, then down to the Beautiful Anagach woods in Grantown for a woodland walk to end the weekend. Plenty of small birds were in the area, Blue Tit, Coal and Great Tit, loads of Treecreepers, some giving brilliant views and a single Goldcrest, which tied up nicely with yesterdays White Tailed Eagle thus giving us the smallest and largest UK species! The day was still clear and cold, but absolutely stunning nonetheless and the dew forming on the spiders webs gave some brilliant photo ops!

A female Roe Deer stood motionless as we passed, I was quite surprised to see her here as there had already been a lot of dog walkers in the area (all dogs off leads and crashing here, there  and everywhere, it’s just Lossie Estuary with trees!)  But the Deer just stoop patiently watching the world go by.

So ended a really great weekend with birding highlights  being superb views of nesting Gannets, crippling views of Manx Shearwater, Bonxie and Storm Petrels, Golden and White Tailed Eagles soaring majestically over beautiful heather covered Scottish Mountains, Black Grouse on a frosty moor, the spectacle of hundreds of pre-migration Swallows and House Martins draped on telephone wires and fences and the thrill of more unusual birds such as three Redstarts in a day, spotted flycatchers, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Siskin and Chaffinch all in the same flock and still my favourite bird of the weekend, a lone Redwing with an identity crisis hanging out with a flock of Mistle Thrush!

Sunday 24 August 2014

Well today was one of those days that wherever you turned there were brilliant birds to see, the weather was for the most part beautiful, and the feel of autumn was in the air. Redpoll, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Siskin and Bullfinch in a single flock was a great way to start the day, Slavonian Grebe and Wheatear kept the great bird theme going and ending with a trio of beauties in the shape of adlut White Tailed Eagle, a sub adult Golden Eagle and a Peregrine Falcon. But all of these were surpassed with todays “surprise bird” a Redwing mixed in among a flock of Mistle Thrush!!

Friday 22 August 2014

A fantastic day (albeit dodging heavy rain showers) at Troup Head and the Moray Coast.  The Gannets were just outstanding with a surprising range of ages of chicks still on the nesting ledges.

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Not a birdy post just a quick comment on the absolutely horrendous weather we have encountered over the last 72 hours, below is a couple of comparison pictures of the River Findhorn not far from where I live, and by the looks of the river bank it has dropped at least 6 feet from yesterday,

Thursday 07 August 2014

Had a fantastic couple of hours just good old fashioned birding with Robert from Nethy today, beautiful weather great company a relatively new area (even though it is very close to home!) and some brilliant birds! Choice of venue today was Findhorn Bay for the Spoonbills that have been reported on Bird Guides for a good few weeks now.  Arriving at the Bay it was a glorious morning, very light breeze, clear blue sky and a very pleasantly warm sun.

We had not long left the path and were walking along the edge of the marsh, keeping the bank behind to break up our silhouettes when a Green Sandpiper flicked up from one of the flooding ditches its dark underwings and body contrasting sharply with the crisp white rump, a cracking start to the morning. Flocks of Linnets twittered and tweeted (no, not on mobiles) and sat perched on top of the gorse bushes, skylarks tchurruped their contact calls overhead. Robert picked up an Osprey perched on a dead tree stump, the whole area is littered with ideal perches for Ospreys and this was to be the first of five birds seen on the morning. Proceeding along the marsh a small group of waders took flight, six Redshank and two Greenshank more nice birds to add to the mornings tally. As we neared the River Findhorn Mouth we stopped to scan a flock of roosting Gulls and hey presto, three very long legged “gulls” were roosting alongside the normal birds, three Spoonbills!  Target bird found with a few extras thrown in, what a great way to spend a morning!! Below are my very very very poor record shots, between the distance ( we knew another birder was heading for the Spoonbills from another direction so I didn’t want to spook them and spoil his morning) and believe it or not a heat shimmer (yes a heat shimmer in Scotland!!) it was not conducive to good shots.

Tuesday 05 August 2014

Out for a  half day tour with John from the BWWC at the Grant Arms  Hotel in Grantown on Spey, and as has been noted all this week there are signs of Autumn approaching! (sorry!) Large flocks of Meadow Pipits are in most fields and moors as they build up their fat reserves prior to migration, Swallows and House Martins are at the same stage and flocks of 40 to 50 birds are now being regularly seen on telephone wires. Todays highlights were a Juvenile Cuckoo, and an Osprey getting mobbed by a Sparrowhawk just out side Tomintoul.

Saturday 02 August 2014

Day two of a Birding Ecosse Long weekend with David and Angus, we have been seeing some fantastic birds including Merlin, Osprey, Red Throated and Black Throated Divers in full breeding plumage, attentive Slavonian Grebes feeding and protecting their offspring, Bonxies by the bucket load but star bird, for me at least, was the  Whinchat, the first I have seen in UK for a good few years!  A couple of not too great pictures below, the Fulmars just to show off the amazing smooth quality of the Minch, and the Whinchat…. because I like it 🙂

Thursday 31 July 2014

A nice relaxing admin day today and prepping for a Birding Ecosse Long Weekend.  It should be fantastic few days with a Pelagic trip, a seabird colony visit and a day in the Hills and Valleys to look forward to, I cannot wait! I was just browsing through my pictures of the last few weeks and found this nice selection of a Slavonian Grebe chick, what is nice about this site is that it is full public access so no disturbing of a schedule 1 species,

Sunday 27 July 2014

Well the fantastic summer of trips and tours continues, and time for doing any admin or domestics is getting less and less! Here is a few snap shots of one of my favourite birds, the Osprey. This bird was feeding at the mouth of the river Lossie and it was digiscoped, so although not nearly the best pictures getting the capture of the bird in flight is quite good going!

Thursday 17 July 2014

Today was the last of a straight ten days with some form of tour included, some full days some half days, but an absolutely fantastic time for Birding Ecosse, a huge thank you to all who booked and took part . Needless to say I have loads of pictures to publish and lots of write ups to get stuck into, but for now a couple of nice pictures from today.  Check back later to hear the story of the Ptarmigan!

Tuesday 15 July 2014

And as if the birds don’t have enough to contend with, here is today’s macho muppet at Lochindorb, soon to be a new watersport centre like Findhorn Bay Nature reserve?

Monday 14 July 2014

Nearly a month since my last blog, good grief!! It has been a fantastic breeding season by the looks of things here in Scotland and visits to the breeding seabird colonies and Highland Glens are filled with lots of cute fluffy chicks. Something not quite as fluffy but nonetheless fascinating was this Meadow Pipit feeding it’s “offspring” and we were so lucky to actually see the adult bird perch on the Cuckoos back before depositing another load of grubs down the cavernous bill! Not the sharpest of pictures but will give you an idea of the life of this poor Meadow Pipit!

20 June 2014

0800 on the dot, and serial victim Jackie arrives bright and breezy and ready for the full day tour to the Scottish West Coast. “It’s an eagle day” I said “I have a feeling in my water!”  and with that we set off. First port of call was Loch Flemington, home of the once famous American Coot, since those halcyon days it has returned to normal Loch Flemington , a Mute Swan was sitting tight on her nest and a very Juvenile Moorhen clucked about in the nearby reed fringes.  On wards and upwards to a remote highland lochan where we were treated to a fantastic sight of two adult Slavonian Grebes complete with three chicks, one in typical pose of sitting on the adults back with just the head peering through the wings. Then it was straight through to  Gairloch as I wanted to recce the road from Gairloch to Melvaig. And what a road it was! Just out of Gairloch and a large flock of Red Breasted Mergansers loafed about just off shore, the water was flat calm but the light was not ideal for digiscoping.

As we stood and had a nice coffee and biccie we managed to pick up  three Diver species in the Bay, Red Throated, Black Throated and a non breeding Great Northern where a nice aside as we had our break. Carrying on up the road a recently cut field turned up a couple of fine looking Golden Plovers…

Soon it was back to Gairloch Harbour and settled onto the fine vessel  Star Quest with Ian at the helm it was, as always, a fantastic trip, and I would urge anyone visiting Gairloch to take a trip out with Gairloch Marine Life Centre and Cruises  

The sea was still calm and provided a very stable viewing platform, what was noticable to me straight away was the lack of Auks on the water compared to last trip.

The Tysties were showing well this time, with lots of Cormorants and Shags giving good side by side comparisons. Fulmars glided past on stiff wings and Great Skuas patrolled menacingly over any headland or island, waiting to make an easy meal  of any unguarded chick or egg.

On the return to harbour a Common Tern was picked up in a rather unusual nest site, on a large slab of rock as opposed to a shingle beach or river bank, it looked perfectly happy though!

All too soon we where back on land and after a second lunch we were off to Gruinard passing the most romantic Island in Scotland, the “Isle of Ewe”  (say the name out loud and you will see what I mean) stopping briefly at Poolewe we were treated to outstanding close up views of Twite feeding in between the sea thrift hummocks. Scanning over the island I’m sad to say the eagles where no-where to be seen, had my gut feeling at the start of the day let me down?  Noooo! When driving past the first part of the Gruinard Island road, just where you climb up to the highest point, a superb adult White Tailed Eagle soared directly over head, a quick stop and reverse and we were soon looking at this magnificent bird just before it dipped behind  the hill top. Time was wearing on so it was homeward bound, however a Red Kite (the second for the day) was nice to see  and a hopeful sign that maybe the population will recover from the recent poisoning episode. A final tally for the day was a very respectable 61 species, with highlights being, Slavonian Grebe, Red Throated, Black Throated and Great Northern Divers, Golden Plover, Twite and of course the magnificent WTE. Thanks to Jackie for a great day, I await my contract for Ornithological Advisor / South American waters with great anticipation!

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Please go to the attached link and do what you can to stop this truly awful development happening in one of the “gems” of the Highlands. A big thank you to Gordon Hamlett for bringing this to my attention.

http://www.savestrathdearn.com/

Thursday 12 June 2014

Thank you Swarovski Optics

As you can imagine being a birding guide my optics get an awful lot of use, so naturally parts wear out.  This was the case with the eye-cups on my Swarovski 8.5 x 42 EL binos.  So on the afternoon of Tuesday 10 June I sent an e-mail to Swarovski asking how to obtain new eye cups and today Thursday 12 June two new eye-cups arrived in the post Free of Charge! Outstanding customer and after sales service.  That is why I will always recommend Swarovski to any of my clients.

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Handa Island

The day started very early (0600) with Robert pitching up at my house ready for a great day ahead, within minutes we were heading for Ullapool to pick up John. En-route we were lucky enough to see a Red Kite, this first one I have seen since the poisoning incidents of a few months ago, we did however fail to pick up Slavonian Grebes,but as they say “every cloud etc” and we heard both Water Rail and Cuckoo at this location. Meeting John bang on time it was time to head North for todays location, Handa Island. I was a tad concerned that the wind had increased and was hoping the ferry would indeed sail.  I needn’t have bothered!

Arriving on a beautiful sandy beach we were met by two SWT volunteers who gave us a quick brief of what to do and not do, where to go and where not to go and a brief heads up on what to look for, after about five minutes we were out on the island and surrounded by birds and bird calls!

The first thing you realise if the island is home of the Skuas, both Arctic and Great Skua are everywhere you look!

Skylarks were trilling their  flight songs and Meadow Pipits were tseeping throughout the 6 Km route. Now, on the subject of route, I was surprised at the height you actually climb to, but when you get to the highest part of the island  it truly is an amazing sight.

It was also nice to see the cheeky chappy Puffins, a real crowd pleaser

All to soon we were back at the sandy beach waiting for the ferry to take us back to the mainland, time had flown in and it hardly seemed nearly four hours had passed, it is a magical place to visit and I look forward to leading a tour back up here in the very near future.

Thursday 05 June 2014

The day did not look hopeful as I set out over Dava moor to pick up Klem and Avril in Aviemore, but the sky seemed a lighter shade of gray when I arrived so a group decision was made to push on, and it worked out well! The damp weather adds a whole new ambiance to the Glen, and the low skies had obviously deterred the Eagle watchers as we had the whole place to ourselves! Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Curlew were all showing signs of being with chicks and whilst stopping to scan these birds I picked up a Common Tern fishing over the river, we watched this bird for several minutes before I picked up a slight movement in the grass of the far river bank and there was the other Tern sitting on the nest!  Nice bird to find.

Obviously the eagles were not going to show today due to the low cloud, you couldn’t see the tops of the hills at all, but the lack of big birds were more than bettered with some stunning views of summer migrants. Two Spotted Flycatchers gave great views as they fed over the river, a stunning male Wheatear showed well perched on a roadside rock and beautiful female Redstart flicked it’s fox red tail from some new deer fencing and all the while Willow Warbler “hooo eeted” continually close by. So although the sun didn’t shine the birds definitely lightened the gloom.

Tuesday 03 June 2014

Today I was out on a half day tour with John Woods, owner of the Grant Arms hotel and the BWWC, as always it was a great morning putting the world to rights, sorting the Scotland/England Divide and seeing some nice birds as well. Driving through a wood nearby to the hotel my eye caught a movement on a tree, stopping the car we picked up a Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers head sticking out of its nesting hole.

A Redpoll was a nice addition to the day and takes Birding Ecosse’s year total to 134. Two broods of Lapwing and one brood of Oystercatchers showed that the breeding season was in full flow. Heading into the Glens we picked up the usual suspects, Grey Wagtail, Common Buzzard and a nice, but brief view of a Redstart as it flitted through the birch trees. Last stop was a remote Scottish Loch where we managed to pick up two Black Throated Divers, it was nice to see both birds together, however surely one bird should have been incubating or if not have a chick in tow? Not a good sign for a successful breeding season I fear.  There was also a single Black Throated Diver at the north end of the Loch, whether this was a third bird or one that had flown form the other end  I shall never know.

Monday 02 June 2014

“A good Hare Day”

Over the last two nights I have had a new visitor to the garden, this beautiful Brown Hare. One of my favourite animals.

Sunday 01 June 2014

Happy first of June!

As the song goes it was a “lazy Sunday afternoon” with my mist net up in the garden, more to just check it over rather to catch any birds, however it was nice to get a female Whitethroat along with a Blue Tit, House Sparrow and retrap Dunnock. The Whitethroat was showing heavy abrasion on the tail feather (see pictures below)

Thursday 29 May 2014.

The day started well with an Osprey flying low over my front garden! Brilliant considering I was not on tour today I was merely filling the bird feeders! Summer is now in full swing and as I sit and write this blog I can see a young rook “experimenting” with some gravel, it keeps swallowing it then coughing it up again?!  Young Song Thrushes and House Sparrows seem to be everywhere around the garden, so far it looks to have been an outstanding breeding season. Up in the Glens there is a higher than normal number of Mistle Thrushes, these are one of the first birds to breed so are now feeding some very large offspring and also the Dipper, another early nester, has full grown young to look after. The Golden Eagles were still displaying at the head of one valley, their “roller coaster” display truly one of natures spectacles. Mountain and Brown Hare have been showing well along with plenty of Roe and Red Deer, although as you know I tend to concentrate on birds it is nice to note the other wildlife (on also a good food source for the eagles) that are in the area. I’m just putting together some trip and tours for 2015 so have a look at them to see if any coincide with your visit to the Highlands. So below is a small snap shot of pictures taken over the last wee while, hope you enjoy.

Saturday 24 May 2014

And Breathe!

Well what can I say, it has been an absolute blast this spring, with  brilliant  people, some stunning weather (and some not so stunning!) fantastic locations and birds by the bucket load. Thank you so much to everyone that has booked some form of guided walk, tour or trip over the last few months. I now have a few days free to catch up with my admin (ie blog, 2015 tours, planned trips and testimonials) so keep “tuned in” to see just what a great first half of 2014 it has been, and read about all the exciting things planned in the coming twelve months! Today when I arrived home I received a thank you card that really made me smile, thanks go to Judy for not only taking the time to immortalise me in cross stitch, but more importantly to make me look thin 🙂 Thank you very much and an extra portion of linseed is well deserved!

Friday 09 May 2014

The day dawned overcast but dry, not the forecast which was for heavy rain all day. First stop was Spey Bay, and soon we were scoping our first good bird of the day, a Corn Bunting was perched singing its heart out on a telephone wire, a great start.

Spey Bay was looking fantastic with a great hot-potch of birds. Goosander and Red Breasted Merganser loafed around in the shallows, Arctic Terns screeched at each other on the shingle spit as two Sandwich Terns looked on nonchalantly. Heading along the coast we encountered the Portgordon Seals, this is a brilliant place to observe both Gray and Common Seals at very close range.  This was the first time I had visited this location and will most definitely be a regular fixture.

Onwards and upwards to the picturesque Bow Fiddle Rock, the weather was holding up and when we arrived the sun was shining and it was a lovely summer day, skylarks were singing, kittiwakes were kittiwaking and linnets were singing, or wait was that just Judy trilling after her linseed breakfast!

With Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Great Black Backed, Herring and Lesser Black Backed Gulls all safely on the list it was off to Macduff to catch a boat!

After a “scenic” drive around Portessie to show Graham and Judy the beautiful harbour (ie I got lost!) we arrived in Macduff in plenty time to board a Puffin Cruise to Troup Head  This was the icing on the cake to an already fantastic day tour.  We were very well looked after on the boat, including a cup of coffee delivered safely on an extremely rocky boat. As John the skipper kept the boat in position in a sheltered cove near to the breeding cliffs, the sheer spectacle of thousands of Gannets and Kittiwakes wheeling above you was just breathtaking.

To round off the perfect day we even had a close swim past by a pod of Dolphins, a fantastic end to a fantastic trip with Birding Ecosse

Friday 02 May 2014

Life has been extremely busy at Birding Ecosse, with a full diary and lots and lots of fantastic birds being seen. Below is a very abbreviated blog on a day spent with Tom and Grace, a lovely couple from California. The sun shone down on us as we set off to the West Coast of Scotland, I had little success in convincing Tom and Grace that the weather was always like this in Scotland! The beautiful weather showcasing the absolutely stunning scenery that Scotland has on offer.

Arriving at Gairloch we were soon boarding the Starquest and heading for life on the ocean waves looking at some seabirds.

Black Throated Diver were soon on the list along with Black Guillemot, Common Guillemot and Puffin. Grey Seals had hauled out onto the nearby rocks and sat watching us pass by at close range. Ian the skipper kept us well informed with a running complimentary of some absolutely amazing facts and added to the whole experience of the day. The highlight for me however was the Great Skuas (Bonxies) that approached to arms length when tasty tit-bits where on offer.

It was a brilliant day out and hopefully Tom and Grace have taken some nice memories home with them.

Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 April 2014

So much for summer in the Highlands!!  Arriving at the Grant Arms hotel to pick up Michael it was, how to say, a pea souper!! Straight to Loch Garten to pick up the main species for the next two days, the Capercaillie.  Paying our money we managed to secure a great spot at the windows,only to be confronted by an even denser fog outside!  Even at this early stage we decided to cut our losses and headed off to a different location.  Unfortunately this also drew a blank, but still gave Michael a lifer in the shape of a stunning male Crossbill, however  Strike out on Capercaillie on day one ! However all was not lost and soon we were sitting on an ever improving, fogless local grouse moor and as expected the wee beauties were performing very well indeed! Great views of a single Red Throated Diver were also gained at this location. Next and final stop was the usual Cairngorm, for the Ptarmigan, a bird that even Michael admitted was not even on his bucket list. Queue the usual “you’ve just missed it!” although Michael did get a very brief glimpse of a male as it disappeared behind a hillock. Taking the attitude “expect the unexpected” I started scanning the opposite way from the rest of telescopes, and before long BINGO a male Ptarmigan pressed hard up against a rock on the Hillside.

So that ended my first morning, I hadn’t planned on going out tomorrow, but I really don’t like being beaten so arranged a couple of hours first thing. Tuesday was a massive improvement weather wise so yet again off to Loch Garten.  However once again it was nil, nada, zip, nul on the Caper front, seemingly they are down to one male at this lek.  So as way of consolation he headed to a local Black Grouse lek and Michael Picked up life number three with the Black Grouse, they were showing very well and we had the added bonus of seeing the males depart, en-masse from the lek area. So although no Caper, it really was a briliant couple of mornings, and with scenery like the picture below, who can be too upset!

Thursday 24 April 2014

It was a civilised start today as I turned up at the Grant Arms Hotel at 0800. Graham and Marjorie were ready and waiting, so soon we piled into the car (yes, sorry Graham it was a Ford)  and were heading off to the local Black Throated Diver Loch. What I didn’t know at this point was that the Divers were one of todays must see birds! Arriving at the Loch the weather was perfect for Diver watching with hardly any waves on the surface, the birds were soon located very close to shore, and as we stood in a parking place on the roadside watching them through the scope, they decided to swim even closer to check us out!! A bonus for the visit was an Osprey plunge diving right beside the Divers… only in Scotland!

Heading over the moors the weather forecast looked to be spot on, the top of the mountains were shrouded in cloud but the weather looked to be clearing up, a quick change of plans (one of the many benefits of working on small and bespoke tours) and we were off to Findhorn Valley. Once again the usually fail safe land of the eagles drew a blank, however brilliant views of Common Buzzard (two very dark birds had the heart rate raised for a few seconds) Osprey, Peregrine and Wheatear once again compensated in some small way.

Onto the Grant Arms own special hide, tucked away on a lovely Highland trout Loch, for the beautiful Slavonian Grebes, only two birds were present today, but both seemed to be settling in nicely.

Not the most technical perfect of pictures, I just really liked the sparkling water surrounding the bird! And to prove that Scotland does get sunshine (sometimes!) After a nice lunch in the hide (where I saw the world smallest coffee cup, three straws anyone?) it was off to Cairngorm once again. The snow is melting really fast and the numbers of skiers had dropped off markedly. It was a nice morning on the viewpoint and soon a male Ptarmigan was located, in a  “where’s wally” type moment once again the birds were high up to the right of the viewpoint, and were definitely in “scope required” territory! A nice drive back along the forest roads alongside Loch Garten we then stopped at “Crossbill corner”  a Chaffinch held centre stage for a short while before “tchuup tchuup tchuup” a fantastic male Crossbill popped into view right in front of us! Last call of the day was a leap of faith to see if the records were indeed correct and Black Grouse go back to lek later on in the day, so using Graham and Marjorie as Guinea Pigs we decided to try, and by jove they were correct! Once again viewing from a safe vantage point, we observed the males going through their routine, if anything they were even more boisterous than in the morning leks. And so that ended the tour, Marjorie secure in the knowledge that an new I-pad was heading her way (wink wink) and Graham knowing he was not to do the trip advisors report on the days outing. Once again a great day in fine company with many a tale told. If only life was always like the last two weeks it would be a happier world (well for me anyway!)

Wednesday 23 April 2013

The alarm went off early today, but it is amazing how easy it is to get up when you have a day doing what you love ahead! Outside the hotel at 0630 Graham and Anne were up, ready and raring to go! So off to the Black Grouse.

Today there were nine males and one female on show, a nice spectacle. Leaving the bird to get on with their courtship I always take a speculative drive through the wooded roads near to Nethybridge in hope of a chance encounter with a Capercaillie, and today…… sucess! A beautiful female was sitting on the road side and allowed prolonged views through the cars windows (first rule in the Caper Handbook “stay in the car”  the birds are not spooked by a car, they are with a human form though! The bird had an amazing cinnamon  colour to the face and upper breast. A stunning looking bird! Elated with this sighting it was back to the hotel for breakfast. With Anne and Graham fed and watered it was off to Slavonian Hide, once again three Slavs were on show, the water was flat calm and the birds looked beautiful in the sunshine.  A male Goldeneye also looked spectacular in the full sun. Next stop, back on the train up Cairngorm. Arriving at the viewing platform two people informed me they had been searching for an hour and three quarters with no sign of Ptarmigan….. no there was a challenge!! 10 minutes later we were all looking down the scope at a fine female Ptarmigan!  Proving once again there is no Dross etc etc!! A male was also soon located, but he was a lot harder to see.  We only had one more grouse to see and that, I knew was a banker! Back at the car park and enjoying a nice coffee and chocolate biscuit we heard “goback goback goback” and after a brief search a male Red grouse popped into view!  All four UK grouse before mid-day an brilliant record!

Final stop for the day was a local Loch, home of some Black Throated Divers, after all the fisherman disturbance over the Easter weekend it was comforting to pick up both divers at the far side of the loch, they are absolutely stunning birds, the Red Throated Divers were however not present today, probably off fishing! That ended a great morning with Anne and Graham, it was nice to guide people from my local area and to catch up with news from all my old stomping grounds.  All that is left to say is Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Anne and Graham!!

Monday 21 April 2014

I knew the day was going to be good when I encountered two male Capercaillie on the road leading out of my village, stunning views and nice to see the birds still in the area, this is the first time I have seen them this year. Picking Steve up at the Grant Arms Hotel we were soon watching 8 male Black Grouse lekking on a remote Scottish moor, calling curlews and lapwing completed the scene and a Short Eared Owl quartering the same field as the grouse was a great added bonus, it did however make me think about the future of any Black Grouse chicks that might hatch this season! Next port of call was a small and beautiful Scottish Loch and serenely floating on the surface were three Slavonian Grebes, one more than last year.  Common Sandpiper buzzed around the waters edge their calls adding to the summer feel of the day. Flushed with success it was onward and upwards to the Cairngorm, on the trip up on the Funicular a male Ring Ouzel flew in and perched on a fence post a great bonus bird for the days tally.  At the top viewpoint the first thing that was obvious was the severe drop in temperature, it was baltic.  It took a while but soon we were watching a single Ptarmigan outlined against the skyline, mission accomplished and we were soon heading back towards the car.

Next stop on this “big day” was to be the Findhorn Valley, today the eagles were to prove difficult, infact impossible and none were seen all day, however there were plenty of other species to keep the list going, Wheatears have arrived in force, Willow Warblers were calling along the whole of the valley and Common Gulls were back on their nesting territories. A pair of Peregrine circled overhead and a Buzzard “meeowed” nearby. With the tally growing nicely it was off to another Scottish loch where we picked up Black Throated Diver and feeding Osprey, a brilliant couple of birds to add to the list, and this was en-route to the coast! Lossie Estuary provided a mixture of birds including Redshank, Grey Heron, Teal, Great Black Backed, Black Headed and Herring Gulls, not wanting to waste any time we headed off to Burghead. Common Scoter are still in good flocks just off shore and a Long Tailed Duck just off the harbour entrance gave Steve some great photo opportunities as a Rock Pipit made a brief flyby appearance. Final stop of the day was Roseisle. The Velvet Scoters seem to have departed for the summer but a full winter plumaged Red Throated Diver soon went on the list and the last bird of the day was a superb Crested Tit feeding high in a beach side pine tree. All in all a great 12 hours in the field with a total of 74 species seen, but it did prove one thing more important than the bird numbers…. that is Steve’s jokes are even worse than mine!  Thanks for a great day with some full on birding Steve!

Saturday 19 April 2014

Part 2

It was another beautiful morning in the Highlands as I picked Daryl and Eleanor up from the front door of the fantastic Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown on Spey, I had a feeling today was going to another great day. Heading off to a local Black Grouse lek, we were soon watching 8 males and 2 females doing what Black Grouse do best.

What was nice (and quite funny) to see was when the two females got bored and left the area, just how quick the males aggression subsided and they all calmed down and chilled out together, it seemed as if they all agreed “right lads they’re gone lets get the footie on!”

Red Grouse, Curlew, Lapwing and Meadow pipits where all calling and buzzing around the area. A sunny morning on a Scottish Highland Moor, what a fantastic way to start the day! Time was a major constraint today, so after a lovely breakfast in the Grant Arms Hotel it was off to a nearby Diver Loch, Red Grouse were all over the place, even from the areas they usually are absent from! It was also nice to note that the Common Gull colony seems to have expanded this year, but it was also noticed that there are no Black Headed Gull this year. The Loch was looking stunning in the morning sun, but the place was absolutely choc a bloc with fishermen, one party alone had eight people!  There was also no Divers, neither Red or Black Throated and I’m afraid if this amount of fisherman disturbance carries on then it may be the end for these beautiful birds on this location. Heading towards the hills one of favourite views was in top form today,

Strathdearn produced a hand full of raptors in the shape of Peregrine, Buzzard and Kestrel, however the “big yins” were absent and we had only half an hour to watch, one possible Goldie peaked over the skyline for a second but then disappeared never to be seen again! A female Wheatear and a singing Ring Ouzel were some consolation though. It was however time to leave and get Daryl and Eleanor back to the hotel so they could continue on their “Grand Tour of Scotland” with a next planned stop in Breamar, it would have been nice to have spent more time in the valley looking for Eagles, then to show them the beautiful coastline Moray has, never mind hopefully they will return in the not too distant future Having said farewell to Daryl and Eleanor I made a lonely trip back across the moors, when I decided to go check out my local Ospreys, it was a great feeling seeing both birds back on the nest, although it did cross my mind that the Loch Garten and Loch of the Lowes birds were both on eggs, but these birds were not looking anywhere near that. Then I noticed that the two original birds that had been on the nest had returned, however were they the same birds? On my arrival one bird had an aerial prominently protruding  from its back, however the birds I was looking at now, neither had aerials?!

So ended a most enjoyable couple of days birding, especially being able to show two lovely Canadians the beautiful Scottish Highland in fantastic weather.  Scotland you done yourself proud!

A big thanks to Daryl and Eleanor for booking Birding Ecosse and making the last two days so enjoyable.

Friday 18 April 2014

  Part 1

The day started well with an absolutely cloudless blue sky and the distant Gairngorms looking pristine and crystal clear, it was going to be a good day! Meeting today’s victims  clients Daryl and Eleanor, who had travelled all the way from Alberta, we were soon on the road and seeking our first birds of the day. Stopping off at the usual Dipper spot, we were not to be disappointed as one bird perched on a rock right below the car park, a great start.  A quick jaunt “off piste” netted us Curlew, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and a breeding colony of Common Gulls. Back on track we paid a visit to a local private lochan, and were able to see two Slavonian Grebes at Fairly close range, it must be stressed this is a very rare bird and any observations should be done at a very safe distance so as to minimise disturbance, especially at this delicate time of year.

Time was pushing on so next stop was Cairngorm, it was looking stunning as we drove up the approach road, but I was mightily surprised when I arrived at the top car park to find that the main car park was full and we were directed to the lower overflow car park! A crowed ride in the funicular to the top station and out onto the viewing platform, and this is the view that greeted us:

I cannot remember the last time I stood on the viewing platform when it was flat calm! It was even warm in the sun!

There was a few walkers in the area and a very low flying helicopter buzzing around, so prospects of Ptarmigan was not looking good, however a slow scan of the ridge to the right of the viewpoint soon produced a single male outlined against the blue sky! Bingo!! The bird stayed in view for a good 10 minutes before being lost in the scree slope. Back down to the even more packed out car park,and as we were having a nice coffee Daryl  spotted a small black and white bird sitting on a sign, as we went to explore a Pied Wagtail flew up and made itself known! However as we were watching this, he also picked out another Black and White Bird, this time in the shape of Ring Ouzel!! And not just one, but two males where at very close range.

So with that the tour was over, a great morning out showing some lovely Canadians the beautiful Scottish Birds, Scenery and weather (who said it always rains in Scotland?)

And best of all?  I’m back out with Daryl and Eleanor tomorrow morning……… Black Grouse and Eagles await!

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Sacré bleu!

A trip to Loch Flemington without seeing the American Coot!!  Reading through the literature though this seems to be following the pattern of the last sightings where the birds disappear April/May time only to reappear the following winter, if it has finally departed then here is hoping it returns at Christmas….. it was a nice bird to have in the area. At least 35 Scaup and three full plumaged Slavonian Grebe at Alturlie.

Thursday 10 April 2014

Birding Ecosse Mid Week Special – Part 2

“She was only the Vicars wife but………”

The day dawned early and overcast, Nigel was present, standing smartly to attention outside the hotel on my arrival, Jackie (the confirmed birdy non birdwatcher was MIA!) so the two “proper birders” headed out to a local Black Grouse Lek. It was nice to see nine male Black Grouse lekking away, still separated by the fence as they had been last week. What was not so nice to see was the heavy  rain showers approaching from the Southwest! Having filled out binos and scopes with stunning views of the Grouse it was time to head back to the hotel and fill our stomachs with a glorious breakfast at the Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown on Spey (home of the BWWC) It was nice to find Jackie already downstairs and awaiting our arrival and I think that look in her eye showed we wished she had come out for the Grouse (or maybe not) Next stop was Avielochan, where the comment of the weekend happened.  Sitting scanning out over the lochan Nigel and Myself were bemoaning the lack of Slavonian Grebes, putting it down to being too early in the season, when birdy “non-birder” Jackie called out  “there is one!” our reply “one what? where?”  Jackie (pointing one hand at the poster in the hide, and one hand in the direction of the water directly below the hide ) One of THEM, THERE!! I must admit to expecting to see a Dabchick surface in the designated area, but no! A full plumaged Slavonian Grebe bobbed into view no more than 30 feet in  front (edit: Olga please note!) So a big well done to the now becoming very birdy non-birder! Now on a roll it was onwards and upwards to the Cairngorm.  The snow had melted substantially since last weeks visit and the viewing platform was nearly all clear, but good grief it was cold!!  One male Ptarmigan was seen very briefly before disappearing behind the snow fences, and then it started snowing, so a visit to the other Ptarmigan (the coffee shop) was undertaken.  Just as we were thinking of heading out again, Nigel Picked up two birds flying down the slope. Returning to the car park it was amazing the difference in temperature and now buoyed by our success it was off Eagle watching! Arriving at the Findhorn valley we bumped into a couple we had met yesterday at Burghead, they had been in the valley all morning and not had a snifter of any raptors.  Not to worry though I said it was a perfect Eagle day so we would push on regardless, and boy are we glad we did! Arriving at the top car park we stood and talked to a couple of people that had been waiting a while, then something caught my eye, right above our heads, looking up, a magnificent juvenile White Tailed Eagle soared past, once again getting mobbed by a Peregrine. The Eagle would roll 180 degrees onto its back with talons outstretched towards the Perg, it would then roll over back to level flight, completing a full 360 turn! A truly fantastic sight!  Just as this bird disappeared from view I picked up two large raptors heading from the top of the valley………. 2 Golden Eagles passed right in front of us!! One bird disappeared across the mountain, but one bird tracked down the whole length of the valley, absolutely brilliant and just proving the Birding Ecosse motto “There is no dross with Birding Ecosse” A scenic drive over the Farr Road held the usual Red Grouse, not so numerous or close to the road as last week, but then our third Golden Eagle for the day appeared and tracked parallel to the car for a few minutes. Last stop of the day was Loch Ruthven, this is a beautiful little reserve and gave the three of us a promising start when Nigel picked up an Osprey hanging on the wind just preparing to dive, what a brilliant bird they are! At the hide a pair of Slavonian Grebes where doing a magical disappearing act right in front, before finally submerging never to be seen again.  A great way to end a great couple of days birding with Nigel and Jackie! It was now time to head back to the hotel, a Gala Meal was planned for the evening so sparkly frocks had to be ironed and stilettos polished, so that was Nigel set, I have no idea what Jackie was wearing! Thanks to the both of you for a “lively”couple of days birding, look forwards to your next visit North.

Wednesday 09 April 2014

Birding Ecosse Mid Week Special – Part 1

Well today was a first for Birding Ecosse, a non-birder on a birding tour……..however said non-birder knew an AWFUL lot about birds as she was to reveal throughout the day! (not to mention being caught  1. Reading through the Crossley field guide comparing divers 2. Saying she was looking forward to writing the  end of day list ( perhaps a slight exaggeration) 3. Admiring the Swarovski binoculars and hinting heavily that they would make a nice Christmas present (once again perhaps a slight exaggeration) However all this was unknown to myself as I picked Nigel and Jackie up at the Grant Arms Hotel at just before 0800. First stop of the day was for the Dippers at the local nesting site, the bird was showing well along with local Oystercatchers and Pied Wagtails.  First nice birds under our belts next stop was a local grouse moor and inland Loch.  The Red Grouse were showing off right beside the road, the males in absolutely stunning condition.  The newly returned Black Throated Divers glided serenely at the far side of the loch, showing well through the Swarovski Scope. More Red Grouse called noisily all around us, and Mistle Thrush and Siskin fed in the nearby heather. At the top end of the Loch we stopped for a brief scan and were pleased to pick up a single Red Throated Diver. Excuse the quality of pic wind/light/exposure gave very poor condition for digiscoping.

It was nice to the Common Gulls back on their breeding colony, and unusually there were no Black Headed Gulls present. Next was a nice scenic drive to Loch Flemington, taking in some outstanding Scottish landscapes and giving Jackie a break from solely birding, Red Legged Partridge were added on this leg as was a huge female goshawk.

The American Coot played hard to get today, it was in fact to the bushes and reeds to the right of the parking space, Nigel picked it up as I was making the coffee.  Thankfully it showed well and ultimately swam across the Loch right in front of us.

 Wednesday 02 April 2014

Brilliant views of a redhead Smew on a small lochan on Dava Moor, grid ref  NH990393.

Birding Ecosse  – Long Weekend Special

Friday 28 March to Monday 31 March 2014

Part 2

Monday 31

Well today was the last trip of the weekend, and thankfully the cloud base had lifted and it was onwards and upwards to the Cairngorm, and what a way to end the weekend! The Funicular was nice and quiet and arriving at the top station the view point was completely empty. Looking out with my naked eye I could make out the distinctive white blob of a Ptarmigan, perched on the skyline. Fantastic!! Getting the scope set up it was absolutely classic Ptarmigan time,a male and three females all came into view and then one by one approached the viewing platform! Frame filing views through the scope! It doesn’t matter how many time I see these birds I always find them captivating!

Ans so that ended the Birding Ecosse Long weekend special, Thanks go to Pandora and Laurie for making it a great success and very enjoyable weekend. Totals species list for the weekend was 81.

Sunday 30 March 2014

A beautiful morning in the Highlands greeted us today, and first stop was to the feeders in Anagach woods behind the Grant Arms Hotel, target birds for this sortie was Crossbill, a lifer for both Pandora and Laurie. Arriving at the feeders it wasn’t long before I heard the first “tchuup tchuup” of Crossbill, searching the high tops nothing was visible of the calling bird, until it flew off, circled the area, then landed, Crossbill style right at the top of a distant pine, in full scoping view ( thank you Mr Swarovski for making excellent optics!) Heading off bouyed by the lifer we now made off for yet another, in the shape of an American! Yes it was time for star billing “The American Coot” Arriving at Loch Flemington, the bird was visible even before I had stopped the car, and now because it is considered “old hat” the car park was deserted, we had the bird all to ourselves!

The bird was by itself, obviously the recent match made in heaven with a local Moorhen had fizzled out and the bird had returned to single life!

An immature Cormorant was very confiding and gave some great up close shots as it tried to preen “those hard to reach” places!

Then disaster struck! It was now we realised we had failed to pick up Laurie and Pandoras packed lunches, however it also gave me the excuse to visit a very nice local cafe at Nairn.

Out on the Moray Firth we had Black and Red Throated Divers, Common Scoter and Long Tailed Ducks and two close in Red Breasted Mergansers, when these birds are seen close up they really are beautifully marked.

Heading along the coast to Burghead we had good views of Velvet Scoter, Razorbill, Lesser Black Backed Gulls (these are summer migrants to the area, and my first of the year) Gannet, Curlew and Knot. Stopping off en -route at a local pine wood, we were delighted to find the second male Crossbill of the weekend, this one was closer to us and posed for a considerable time to allow some records shots.

Heading back to the hotel we drove past a fantastic Scottish lost, complete with ruined castle in the middle, it was here we picked up both Red and Black Throated Divers, all in full breeding plumage!  What a top way to finish todays tour!

Saturday 29 March 2014

It was an early rise as we headed off for a local Black Grouse Lek, a new site for me very greatfully received from John Poyner of Highland Nature. A nice gesture and shows the camaraderie between some local guides. At least 8 males where on lek and showing very well, and what is superb about about this location is that you are a safe distance from the birds but still get amazing views. No females were noted on this occasion though.  Curlews where in full song display, their bubbling calls filling the air the nearby hunting kestrel and the tseeepining Meadow Pipits completed the “moorland in Spring” feeling. It was then back to the Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown for a fantastic cooked breakfast before setting out once again. A quick stop off at the Hotels bespoke hide at a local fishing loch it was soon obvious that the Slavonians had not yet returned, the water in their breeding area was also fairly high. We did get some stunning views of male Goldeneye and Little Grebes in full breeding plumage, they are cracking wee birds! Next stop on todays tour was the beautiful Strathdearn Valley in search of Raptors, first surprise of the day was a very very probable White Tailed Eagle adult, fairly near to the valley entrance, much lower down that I have experienced before.  I have said probable as it was a very quick view, of a massive raptor being mobbed by buzzard, very broad wings, but the key factor was it looked to have no tail. But an adults white tail would have blended perfectly with the light grey sky behind. I will however put it down as a probable! Arriving at the top car park, as we stopped for a coffee, a had a casual scan towards the top of the valley, three birds appeared from behind one of the crags, two Buzzards and….. one Golden Eagle! All three birds were heading straight for us, the Buzzards drop off and returned to the crags but the Eagle kept approaching, and kept approaching, and kept approaching, right over the top of the car park! Absolutely stunning views and a great way to finish this part of the tour. Next stop Farr and Loch Ruthven. The Farr Road didn’t disappoint with the birds, some great views of Red Grouse  gave Laurie some great photo opps. Arriving at Loch Ruthven we were greeted with the saying that all birders dread “oh you’ve just missed…….” in this case it was “oh you’ve just missed two displaying Goshawks at the far side of the loch” grrrrr! The Slavonians where however were a nice consolation and the actual reason we had visited this reserve! The day ended with a nice scenic drive back across the Farr road, back to the hotel and once again a few libations and run down of the birds we had seen today.

Birding Ecosse – Long Weekend Special

Friday 28 March to Monday 31 March 2014

Friday 28 March 2014

Today was bright but hazy, with the Mountain tops shrouded in clouds I decided today we would head North, so at 0800 on the dot we headed for Portmahomack and Tarbat Ness. Stopping off at a local Highland river we quickly connected with Grey Wagtail and Dipper, the day had started well. Arriving at Portmahomack the weather was ideal for scanning the bay, a male Velvet Scoter was showing well not far off the harbour wall, Long Tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Common Eider, Red Throated Divers and Cormorants were all also showing well in the area. Scanning over the rocks, a small movement caught my eye, quickly turning the scope to this point we were soon looking at a flock of about 20 Purple Sandpipers along with a nearby group of Bar Tailed Godwits and Knots, after a coffee and biscuits  it was time to leave this idyllic spot and head for Tarbat Ness Lighthouse Arriving at the lighthouse car park we noticed two things: one was the amount of Yellowhammers at the feeder and two the large grey cloud that was heading straight for us, the heavens opened and we remained in the car for twenty minutes until the shower had passed, and luckily this was to be the last rain we were to encounter, however the weather had not finished with us for the weekend! Walking to the point Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Razorbill were all quickly notched up,a nice bonus was two Black Guillemots in winter plumage and a Red Throated Diver swam not too far offshore.

A quick stop off at RSPB Nigg Bay produced Shelduck and Pintail, the latter being quite a scarcity in the area and Nigg Being being one of their strongholds. Heading South we had a stop at Udale Bay, the tide was very far out, but a few birds were still showing very well, Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing and Dunlin all fed busily on the mud flats and a few Pink Footed Geese lounged around in front of the hide.

Heading back south we were surprised by a huge gaggle on Pink Footed Geese in a field, stopping the car to scan through the flock, Pandora had an excellent find with a single Barnacle Goose feeding with Pinkers, a great find and a great way to end day one. Over a small libation back at the hotel, we celebrated a great day in the field and looked forward to whatever tomorrow would bring. To be continued……….

Thursday 27 March 2014

The weekend started on Thursday night in the comfortable “Capercaillie Bar” in the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. Laurie and Pandora had already started their weekend with a productive walk around Anagach woods just behind the hotel. Catching up on all that had happened since last we met in January 2013 I gave a quick run down on what I had planned for the coming days, explaining that I would keep things flexible to allow for weather.  I bade both of them farewell until the morning and headed home looking forward to what the weekend would bring.

Monday 31 March 2014

Just finished Birding Ecosses  first long weekend special break of the season, and what a great weekend it was in the company of Pandora and Laurie. Highlights were great views of Crossbill, Red and Black Grouse, Red and Black Throated Divers, American Coot, Slavonian Grebe, Golden Eagle and Ptarmigan. Full report will be posted in the next few days, but to keep you going here are the Ptarmigan from today.

Monday 24 march 2014

Brilliant news from RSPB Loch Garten with the return of EJ their female Osprey, good luck to all involved in the forthcoming season. Please check out the live web cam and give your support to the RSPB. http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochgarten/abernethyvideo.aspx  

Sunday 09 March 2014

0830, Sunny and Mild (still need a fleece though!) On the way to the reserve, Spotless Starling calling from the roof tops, nice call a piping “huueeeeet” call.

Collard Doves, 15 x Monk Parakeets, Gannets, 15 Mediterranean Gulls flushed from the canal by a fishermen, there are a lot of fisherman! White Wagtail, Black Redstart, many Serins, male and female Kestrel, Sardinian Warbler.

0904 At Bridge leading to reserve, met up with local birder and expat Ted Lord (Tedo to give him his Spanish name) Ted had been my birding buddy for the last two days after a chance encounter on my first recce trip on Friday afternoon, great company and a veritable fountain of knowledge for Guadalhorce.

Arriving at the Laguna de la Casilla hide, birds present: 9 male 1 female and 1 Imm Male White headed Ducks, Moorhen, Coot, 1 Flamingo imm roosting.  I then met another local birder and ex pat Andy Paterson, he runs the blog  “birding the Costa” excellent resource for anyone thinking of visiting the area. One of Andy’s friends pointed out two female Black Headed Weavers across the far side of the lagoon, I would definitely have overlooked these birds, and then another incredible bit of birding when the Spanish Chap pinged a Bluethroat call, and lo and behold I spotted the Bluethroat at the bottom of the reeds. Two great birds in the space of two minutes! 1011 Rio Viejo Hide. Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black Tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshank, Cettis Warbler  (calling) then another highlight was next when two Hoopoes flew in a landed right in front of the hide!  Then a Crested Lark scuttled out of the reeds and burst into full song!  I love birding in Spain! A Booted Eagle took off from nearby dead tree.

Laguna Escondida: White Headed Duck,Crag Martin, Sand Martin, Pochard 1430 Back to my favourite hide, the Laguna Grande. Immediately a top notch bird for me, a Cattle Egret.

2 x Flamingos, Yellow Wagtail, Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Black Necked Grebe, Common Sandpiper.

Common sandpiper was “seen off” by Kentish Plover that look like they are nest prospecting on the small island in front of the hide. 2 x Avocets.

And that ended another brilliant day at the Rio Guadalhorce, and my last day on the reserve.  However I am already planning my next trip next year, perhaps two or three weeks later to catch more of the summer migrants. Adios Amigos!

Saturday 08 March 2014

Today started off very well, with a mini sea watch off the hotel balcony, Gannets, Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Yellow Legged Gulls, 3 Med Gulls and a Cormorant started the day list off well! A lovely walk along to the reserve from the hotel netted Spotless Starling, Kestrel, Sardinian Warbler, Serins by the bucket load (I love seeing and listening to their song and display flight) Pochard, Shoveler, Cormorant, Grey Heron and Little Egret.

0950 Rio Viejo Birds Present: Black Winged Stilt, Redshank, Little Egret, Teal, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Greenshank, Swallow, Crag Martin, Crested Lark, Serin, Pochard, White Headed Duck, Booted Eagle, Moorhen, Black Tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Sanderling, Sardinian Warbler, Blackbird, Common Snipe. At seawatch point: Yellow Legged Gulls, Mediterranean Gull x 3, Cormorant, Avocet.

1400 Escondida Hide:  Sardinian Warbler, 12 White Headed Duck, Pochard, Meadow Pipit, Swallow, Crag Martin, Serin and Coot 1421 Laguna Grande: What a fantastic bird hide, with plenty of action going on right in front.  Birds present: 2x Greater Flamingo immature’s, Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Black Winged Stilt, Dabchick, Black Necked Grebe, 2x Avocet.

1413 Laguna Grande: Cattle Egret (one of my target birds and a lifer!) gave a flypast, yellow bill and small size. Black Headed Gulls.

Heading back to the hotel I noticed a gull sitting on the river bank, getting the scope on it it turned out to be lifer number 2 for the day, an adult Audouin’s Gull, a really smart “clean” looking gull Red Bill and dark legs. In flight the white wing mirrors where restricted to the trailing edge of the wings, giving the wing tip a very dark appearance.

Final treat for the day was a Kingfisher perched on the rocks at the river mouth, a great end to a fantastic days birding.

Friday 07 March 2014

Hola!

This weekend was a small gift to myself. I decided to take off for a few days for some sun, swamp and birds! A very indulgent three days were in front. Flying out from Glasgow on a cold wet morning I landed at a sunny and warm Malaga, and a short taxi journey saw me at my hotel in Gaudalmar just a stonethrow away for my weekend destination, the Rio Guadalhorce bird reserve. So within four hours I swapped our UK Starling for Spotless Starlings and Feral Pigeons for Monk Parakeets!  Roll on the weekend. After the painless checking in process I headed out for a small recce walk to the reserve. It really is a fantastic place, a ten minute walk from the hotel sees you on the edge of the reserve, the Canal had breached through to the sea so to gain access it would mean a walk along the canal to the main footbridge onto the reserve, no problem with that though as there was plenty of birds to keep me entertained. It was a great initial visit and what was planned as a short walk turned into a four our birding afternoon. Serins were absolutely everywhere, the males in display flight, sitting singing on small bushes and flashing their bright yellow rumps.

Goldfinches where also seen in very good numbers, the birds here seem to show a lot more yellow on the wings than UK birds, Monk Parakeet buzzed about the whole area, their call were to be a continual pleasant background noise throughout my visit.

I had target birds I wanted to connect with, White Headed Duck, Purple Swamphen and Audouin’s Gulls. So I found myself at the hide we had visited last year, with Josse Yague from Park Nature and was very pleased to connect with some White headed Ducks straight away.

Tired, thirsty but extremely happy I returned to the hotel, looking forward to heading out in the morning for a full day, with full birding kit, on this fantastic reserve.

Thursday 27 February 2014

The day started very early on a very chilly Tulloch Moor, once again the weather beat us in the Black Grouse lek with the lower temperatures stopping the males displaying, every now and then a faint bubbling call could be heard but remained stubbornly out of sight, maintaining Birding Ecosse’s ethical approach we did not attempt any further searching and left the birds to carry on their display undisturbed. Heading towards a local Capercaillie sight we had superb views of Crossbill  feeding at the top of some larch tree’s, the grouse were not on our side at all today as the Horse of the forest didn’t make an appearance either! Cutting our losses we headed up to the Findhorn Valley in search of big birds!  And here our luck changed! Raprtors were all over the place!  Red Kite at the beginning of the valley closely followed by a male and female Kestrel. At the top of the valley, and just when Olga was slipping into “Slavonian Grebe” mode, I noticed a large raptor break the skyline, as it approached it became clear we had a Golden Eagle and it was heading straight towards us.  It gave stunning views as it flew down the side of the valley, keeping close to the hillside.  David managed to get the following stunning shots.

As the bird glided overhead it was immediately set upon by a Peregrine, it buzzed it incessantly until the Eagle had left the area and headed back down the valley, where it was then set upon by a Buzzard and two Ravens!  Then the surprise of the day, the Eagle then turned around and came back for seconds!  Once again it gave stunning views as it glided back up the valley side before finally disappearing over the ridge for the last time.

A trip over the Farr Road (or Slavonian  Road as it had been christened by Olga) produced very close views of Red Grouse, one male in particular was in supreme form and was actively courting a nearby female, his red eye wattle appearing almost luminous in the in the dark heather and yet another surprise raptor as a female Hen Harrier circled over the moors, gained height and disappeared North, a nice bird to get for the day list.

Loch Ruthven was being whipped up by the gale force winds and looked more like the Moray Firth than an inland Loch! The recently seen Slavonian Grebes had either left for a more sheltered lochan or were seeking refuge in the reeds.  A few brave Goldeneye tried to put on a show, but they to were defeated by the wind and waves!

Returning to the hotel for an “apres bird” drink,  we tallied up our totals for the two days and came to the toal of 76 species seen and two heard, not a bad haul especially with the windy conditions.  It was a great way to get the 2014 all inclusive holiday season started!

If this had whetted you appetite why don’t you check out our all inclusive mid week and long weekend specials, something to suit all tastes and pockets.

Wednesday 26 February 2014 – Part 2

Arriving at Roseisle and taking up my usual birding position overlooking Burghead bay it was obvious that the sea had become somewhat choppy and that spotting the ducks may be  slightly more difficult than normal.  After a brief search we managed to pick out some male Velvet Scoters, initially these were at distance but during our time here they drifted closer to us, allowing Olga and David to pick out the I.D features of the white wing panel and the white “coma” under the eye, a beautiful duck close up.  We also managed fantastic views of a Slavonian Grebe ( to be honest it was a small black and white dot on the Horizon, but never the less a Slavonian and my target species for this area, on a more important note it gave Olga the fuel to slander me mercilessly for the remainder of their trip!)  We also picked up Common Scoter and Long Tailed Duck. Whilst we were leaving the main car park David put up a shout to “stop” and we were treated to brilliant views of a male Crossbill feeding at the top of some pines right beside the road.

Making our way along the coast the conversation changed to the usual topic of Giraffes, and on our arrival at Burghead I proudly announced that I was 100% certain we would see none of the aforementioned beasts at this location, how wrong could I be?!  And anyway who would have a Giraffe statue in their window, I ask you!! (more fuel to Olga’s already inferno like fire) Sadly the Long Tailed Ducks had left the harbour itself, but were loafing around just outside the harbour wall, still giving excellent views  alongside Common Eider.  We had a quick flyby of the local Rock Pipit, however the cooler weather today meant he was not wanting to show us his display flight. Onwards to the east we set up the ‘scope at a local eastuary, where the new birds for the day came flooding in, Bar Tailed Godwits, Teal, Wigeon a host of Gulls including Herring, Great Black Backed, Black Headed and Common, but the highlight was a group of 15 Snow Buntings feeding on the far bank of the river, one male in particular looking very dapper in near full summer plumage. As they daylight began to fade we headed to Loch Spynie, a great place to add a mixture of farmland and freshwater birds. Long Tailed, Great and Blue Tits entertained us on the feeders, Treeceeper allowed us some great views and a single Water Rail calling from the reeds stubbornly would not show itself so went on the “heard only” list. So that was day one finished, a soft drink at the bar in the hotel finished off a great day, roll on day two….. Would Olga take pity on the poor guide? (I think we can guess the answer to that one) Would David come onside with me? (and that one!) and would we connect with our target species?     Keep tuned for the final installment!

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Apologies for lack of post over the last few days, I have been birding in Spain! +20 Blue skies and sunshine all day long, plus some amazing birds as well!  Will be catching up with all my admin and posting new blogs and pictures in the very near future…. stay tuned folks!

Wednesday 26 February 2014 – Part 1

Today saw the start of the busy season for Birding Ecosse and was also the first in the new season of mid week and long weekend specials. My clients for the next two days were to be David and Olga from Northumberland, it proved to be a highly entertaining and informative couple of days, with lively chats on a whole host of subjects and me getting gently bullied at every opportunity. The day started well with Dipper at the usual spot at Dulnain bridge and the local moors proved a success with Red Grouse up close, and a couple of Ravens chasing some Lapwings. Heading towards Loch Flemington for the American Coot, it proved to be very very elusive and took nearly 20 seconds to find this time!  It flew out across the reeds to the willow scrub to the right of the car park area.

Having collected the Coot we set off to Nairn, to see the Brent Geese and hopefully connect with the recent King Eider. The Moray Firth looked beautiful, with Long Tailed Duck and Common Scoter showing well, however no sign of the King Eider. In way of consolation the regular Brent Geese put on a great show and a couple of Purple Sandpipers were a nice addition to the day list.

Next port of call was to be Roseisle, call back to see how we got on there!

Monday 24 February 2014

Today was a lovely spring morning again, there really is a change in the ambiance, heading towards proper spring time weather, happy days. Today’s guided walk was around the beautiful Burghead, and was in company of a Birding Ecosse stalwart Robert from Nethybridge, it always proves to be an entertaining day out with him. One of the first birds to be seen was the usual Rock pipit, right beside the car park and giving great views as it fed on the wall and beach area.  This was later seen in display flight again and hopefully it will nest in the area. The harbour was quieter for ducks, with just a couple on Eiders feeding, no sign of the recent show off Long Tailed Ducks or Great Northern Diver, but with the sea being flat calm there was no real need for them to be taking shelter. Cormorants, Herring Gull and Great Black Backed Gulls were all in evidence along the harbour wall, the much overlooked Herring Gulls looking splendid in their full summer plumage (they have brown streaks on the head and darker streaks around the eyes in winter plumage giving them a “dirty appearance” I think)

Out to sea, well out to the Moray Firth, plenty of Long Tailed Ducks and Common Scoter were to be seen just offshore, and a single Great Northern Diver loafed around. Making our way to the upper viewpoint many Red Throated Diver were off the point, some in full summer plumage, whilst some still retained full winter plumage, a vast difference but really good for comparing. A single female Velvet Scoter kept her distance from the nearby  raft of Common Scoter.  Shag and Razorbill, both in full plumage showed very well just offshore.

 Turnstones, Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Curlew all fed on the rock and a flock of 6 skylarks “churrupped” over head, heading out towards the black isle.

The now set ritual of having a Birthday treat (it was my turn to be birthday boy for the second time this year) at the superb “Bothie” cafe rounded off a brilliant mornings walk, great birds and great company.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Today started bright, sunny and mild the exact opposite to the weather forecast! So at 0745 I picked up today’s willing birders Pam and Helen from the magnificent Grant Arms Hotel, home of the BWWC. On this half day tour we were concentrating on the coast, in particular Ducks and Waders, first port of call then just had to be Burghead. We were not to be disappointed! The usual suspects were loafing around, the Long Tailed Ducks looking simply stunning in there fine winter plumage, the male Eiders “making eye’s” at the lovely female Eiders, and luckily the Great Northern Diver was feeding at very close range, giving some fantastic photo opportunities.

Spring was most definitely in the air, with the cooing of the Eiders, House Sparrows nest prospecting, Shags sporting their full summer crests and best of all Rock Pipits in display flight, roll on the summer! Other birds in the area, Bar Tailed Godwits, Black Headed Gull, Great Black Backed and Herring Gulls, Turnstones, Common Scoter, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Heading to the High viewpoint we noted that the wind had started to increase substantially but it was still bright sunny and mild. Nice views of Red Throated Divers and Common Scoter were had, but a smaller duck has given me a furrowed brow and has sent me to my reference books to no avail, even Bob Proctor my local BTO rep drew a blank (thanks for your input Bob, it was appreciated) So if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to get in touch!

After Burghead it was off to Hopeman, the weather was still with us, but the wind was even stronger.  Burghead held it’s own smaller flock of Long Tailed Duck, these birds seemed to be feeding more than the Burghead birds, Redshank and Turnstones were also feeding on the beach and harbour walls. Over a coffee we watched a Razorbill fairly close in, however we missed out on the Purple Sandpipers, surely they have not headed North already? Last port of call was Roseisle, by this time the wind was at gale force and the water was now decidedly choppy, Common Scoters were bobbing around like corks and the target bird Velvet Scoter was playing hard to get, until thankfully two males popped up over the Surf (no not Surf Scoter) and gave distant but distinct views. A very successful morning in lovely company, Helen proving that not all Physics Teachers are dragons!

Tuesday 18 February 2014

Today was to have one recurring theme, lets see if you spot what it was! The day dawned in a Dark and wet car park in Beauly in the beautiful Scottish highlands, the low cloud and heavy drizzle only adding to the atmosphere. I was here to pick up Karle a returning client who was up on holiday with his family (Hello Sarah and Orson) and was out to get his Highland Bird Fix. The birding day started at Loch Flemington,( it was dark and wet) with the ever elusive American Coot (probably one of the easiest rarities you will ever hope to see!) it took an agonising 5 seconds to pick the bird out in it’s usual place.  Please note I still have not seen this bird in sunshine so the pictures are still of poor quality!

Having his lifer in the bag, we headed off to Nairn, when we arrived it was dark and wet and the Moray Firth was surprising rough, however it soon provided us with some nice birds, Pale Bellied Brent Geese, Long Tailed Duck and Common Scoter, there were some Common Eider further out but unfortunately no sign of the recently reported King Eider. However a winter plumaged Tystie (Black Guillemot) proved a nice added bonus.

Heading to a dark and wet Burghead, the first birds to be seen were a Great Northern Diver sailing around in the inner Harbour surrounded by Long Tailed Ducks and Common Eiders, it provided fantastic views as it swan in front of the car and out into the Moray firth, at it’s closest a mere 20 feet away.  I would have loved to have some digiscoped shots however other people where watching and taking pics from their car and I would have undoubtedly spoiled their enjoyment of this stunning bird, so I waited until it was out to sea before setting up my kit.

The Long Tailed Ducks once again stole the show, and is a highlight for anyone visiting the area.

And as an added bonus, today we had a couple of Female Red Breasted Mergansers lounging around.

Red Throated Divers and a nice flypast of five male Velvet Scoter rounded off a successful visit to Burghead Next stop was a dark and wet Lossiemouth, the tide was ideal and scanning across the far side of estuary produced Bar Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and a nice sighting of two Snow Buntings.  There was not the usual amount of Gulls in the area so we didn’t pick up the target bird of little gull that had been reported on Birdguides recently.

A quick dash to Loch Spynie gave us Water Rail and Long Tailed Tit, it was nice to see the Herons had returned to the Heronry behind the hide, was it me or did the trees look sparser this year? You don’t usually get such a good view of the nests. It was of course dark and wet, but the hide provided a nice respite from the elements.

Heading Back towards Inverness we stopped off at a dark and wet Roseisle, where we connected albeit very briefly with the target bird for this location, Slavonian Grebe. One bird was present and seen just prior to it diving, it was never relocated! More good views of common and Velvet Scoter was nice.

Finaly we headed inland, where we did have a change in weather (hurrah) it was dark, wet and misty! (booooo)  On this section of the trip we added Red Legged Partridge and Red Grouse (heard) but  by this time light was fading and the rain and mist were both increasing!

Final stop was back at Alturlie, where as the last glimmer of daylight faded into a dark and wet night, we saw hundreds of Pink Footed Geese lift from their feeding fields and stream low over head to their roosts on the Black Isle, a beautiful sight and a great way to end a brilliant days birding in fine company with Karl. Totals for the day were 67 Species seen and 2 heard.  Not bad at all for a dark and wet day of birding!

Thursday 13 February 2014

When is a Hoodie not a Hoodie?

When it is on the Moray Firth Coastline! Many clients of Birding Ecosse get quite excited when they first see a Hooded Crow in the local area, it makes it even harder to explain that these handsome creatures would not make it through the vetting process and allow them to be accepted as true Hooded, they are unfortunately destined to be Hooded x Carrion Hybrids. Must admit though some look pretty darn convincing and none the less smart looking birds!

Saturday 08 February 2014

Had a quick stop off at Loch Flemington today to have a look see at the long staying American Coot, true to form it was still present and showing well, and for a second time the bird was flushed by impatient photographers, blooming annoying, wish they would just let the bird be!

Thursday 06 February 2014

A very pleasant morning with a lot of birds visiting the feeders in the garden. Put a net up for a couple of hours to try and get some of the Long Tailed Tits that have become regulars visitors to the feeders, no luck unfortunately! Another nice retrap today, yet again a Blue Tit, ringed as a youngster way back in August 2010. Next week see’s the start of a very busy period of tour guiding in the Beautiful Scottish Highlands and the equally stunning Moray Firth, so please call back to see what fantastic birds the area has on offer, and what you could be seeing on trips provided by Birding Ecosse.

Monday 27 January 2014

Well today was a very birdy day indeed!  When I woke up this morning and looked out the window, flat calm and overcast perfect for putting up a mist net and getting the 2014 ringing campaign under way! A really nice mix of birds were caught in the two hours before rain stopped play. Ringing totals: 1 x Great Tit, 1 x Robin, 4 x Blue Tit, 1 x Chaffinch, 1 x Dunnock, 1 x Coal Tit, 2 x House Sparrow. Two great retraps as well, V332834 Blue Tit originally ringed 18/02/2008 and V332890 Dunnock originally ringed 29/10/09 Just as I was packing up the net I noticed a flock of Long Tailed Tits heading towards the feeders in front of the house, and that was a the beginning of a feeding frenzy! Long Tailed Tit x 3, Collard Dove x 2, Goldfinches x 3, Dunnock x 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker x 2 (male and female) Tree Sparrow x 1, House Sparrow x 2, Greenfinchs x 3, Great Tit x 2, Blackbird x 2.

The day ended with a look around the Roseisle area for two reported Common Cranes, however these proved to be a no-show!

All in all a top day with our feathered friends.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Grey Herons are a common species around the coastline and inland waters, they do however become overlooked because of this, so next time you see “The patient killer” give it some time.

Saturday 25 January 2014

Honking weather and Honking Ducks

Well today the winter weather really bared it’s teeth with absolutely torrential rain and strong Southerly wind.  Not very pleasant birding weather, however every rain cloud and all that…… the stormy weather had brought the Eiders and Long Tailed Ducks into the safety of the inner harbour. Sitting in the comfort of the car with the window down, sheltering from the extreme weather, whilst watching these beautiful ducks right below me really was  special, the male Eiders giving their Frankie Howerd  “aaa ooo aaa” calls trying to woo the females and the musical trumpeting call of the Long Tailed Duck (reminding me for some reason of the “Kitti’ waaake” call of the Kittiwake.) Unfortunately the lighting was so poor that pictures were absolutely impossible, so I have reverted to last years pictures of Long Tailed Duck.  Interested in seeing these birds first hand? Then why not get in touch with Birding Ecosse a join us for a guided walk? Other birds present: Eider Duck, Long Tailed Duck, Guillemot, Red Throated Diver, Shag, Cormorant, Great Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Shag, Cormorant, Turnstone, Curlew, Black Guillemot.

Friday 24 January 2014

A little bit of Naked Birding

Yes today I undertook some naked birding.  No not walking around unclothed, but a way of birding that just proves the point you don’t need a lot of expensive kit to enjoy the hobby of birding. In essence it is bird watching with the naked eye, no binos, scope or camera.  All birds must be identified by sight or sound, (you can, according to the rules use binos to confirm ID once you have done the initial ID, although we didn’t) So in a brief walk through the woods near to my house this is what we saw: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Coal Tit, Collard Dove, Pheasant, Greenfinch, Jay, Buzzard, Treecreeper, Woodpigeon, Rook, Blackbird, Robin. A really enjoyable, and to be honest eye opening little walk, and something I am keen to introduce to beginners when they are out on a guided walk.  Best get the basics in place then think about your kit.  I will however not be dispensing of the Swaros in the near future 🙂

Monday 20 January 2014

Today I am taking a different approach, with the use of different framing of the birds in picture, The first shows a close framed Turnstone, the reason I chose this picture is that it shows the beautiful slight “upturn” to the bill, a feature the birds uses to “Turn over stones” whilst feeding hence the name.

The next two picture are more to give the impression of the birds habitat, once again the Turnstone perched typically on the harbour wall and the Eider Male contrasting to the beautiful green backdrop water, sometimes closer isn’t necessarily better.

Saturday 18 January 2014

Spot the difference!

Nice little comparison today between the Eurasian Coot and the American Coot, the American is still being reported at Loch Flemington today (per bird guides)

Friday 17 January 2014

Today I am reminiscing on long hot summer days at a fantastic seabird colony on the East Coast of Scotland, not only a feast to the eyes and ears, but also the sense of smell.  I personally love the musty fishy ambiance however it is not to everyone taste. To sit and be surrounded but thousands upon thousands of birds, all going about their daily business really is a magical moment, keep your eyes on the “planned trips” page nearer the breeding season for trips to our local seabird city at Troop head.

Thursday 16 January 2014 Part 2

Just getting ready to retire for the evening when the bright glow of the moon caught my eye, ideal digiscoping night.  Got a couple of shots before the cold air started a coughing fit and I retreated to the warmth of the house. Quite interesting when you look at the impact marks, and the “fallout” marks from these impacts, they must cover thousands of miles.

Thursday 16 January 2014

We are back in Canada for today’s pictures.  The Western Kingbird along with Eastern Kingbird are probably high on my favourite bird lists.  This particular bird was standing guard at it’s nest site giving some brilliant prolonged views. The Blue Winged Teal was pictured at the Kerry Wood Nature Reserve in Red Deer Alberta, it was a fantastic reserve giving stunning views of many species, more pictures to follow.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Still suffering from a chest infection (how long will this last!) and the torn muscle makes driving fairly uncomfortable, so still on couch trawling through my digiscoping pictures and deleting the many many ones that don’t come up to scratch. Here is a very quick selection of some that made it through!

Immature Grey Heron

Monday 13 January 2014

So it’s a beautiful sunny day, very light winds and the ideal conditions for digiscoping the American Coot, that is still reported at Flemington (via birdguides) and here am I reduced to being curled up on the sofa with a torn rib muscle!  Ho Hum!

For those readers who call in here frequently can I just say thank you very much for your interest and also point you toward the Birding Ecosse Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/dslaterbirdingecosse?ref=hl  or even follow me on twitter @birdingecosse

In the meantime I will cheer myself up by looking at some of the Hummingbird pictures taken this summer in Alberta Canada, a big thank you goes to Chris Brown who let me turn her lounge and deck into a digiscoping platform 🙂

     

       

Thursday 09 January 2014

Well today’s visit to Mr Coot was a tad different than yesterday!  Car park and passing places were full and two photographers were right down at the waters edge keeping the bird at a safe distance across on the reeds, if only they had kept back at their car the bird would have undoubtedly swam closer and gave them better photo ops, at one point the bird flushed right across to the opposite side of the Loch (South side) and into a flock of Whooper Swans, after about 5 minutes of unsettled feeding (no floating reeds at that side) it flew back to North side before swimming in front of the cars back to it’s normal feeding location Ho Hum.  My efforts for today are shown below, managed to get a hint of the red at the top of the shield. Don’t know why but I really like this bird!

Wednesday 08 January 2014

Had another drop in at Loch Flemington to see if American Coot was still present, good news it was! What was also nice is that I had the place and the bird to myself, really nice. I spent some time just watching the bird, it was feeding very well on aquatic plants, sometimes it would pick stuff off the surface, or from the matted reeds at the edge of the Loch, sometimes it dived to collect fresh green plants from underwater.  Whichever way it certainly was eating loads, which could be a good sign for the bird staying in the area. Got some better shots today, however need some sunshine to get the ISO down a bit!

Tuesday 07 January 2014

The Yanks are here!

So I am week willed! An American Coot has turned up at Loch Flemington (and before the great and good of birdwatchers in the area get their frillies in a knot once again the bird was found by a chap called Simon Eaves, a big well done to him, I am only reporting on the trip I had to see the bird he found… okay?) I really should have gone out in the better weather yesterday but a number of factors where against me going, but today after a night of “will I go/wont I go” I decided to drag my still man flu filled body of to see the bird. And boy I am I glad I did! Arriving before first light the car park only had one other car, even in the near pitch black, one bird was feeding on the floating reeds, white billed with Moorhen like undertail flashes….. the American Coot was still present! The light was really poor, hence the record shots only, however hopefully the bird will linger in the area allowing me to head through for some better shots at the weekend when the weather calms down a bit!  One thing that was very obvious was just how high the bird leaped out the water when diving.  Nice bird and looks like its feeding well and settled!

Saturday 04 January 2014

So what does a birding tour guide do on his day off with family?  He takes them birding!! (as many of you will know I am a kind hearted Scotsman and do not charge them (the full price) for a day tour 🙂 Today was down to the “failsafe” Crested Tit haunt, and the little beauties didn’t disappoint! The pictures below are courtesy of Lynda. However I must admit I was mildly surprised when she charged me to use them 🙂

Wednesday 01 January 2014

Happy New Year!

As is now the tradition for Lynda and Myself we headed out for a quick jaunt to get the 2014 list started.  This year we stayed fairly local as both of us are suffering a bit of the cold (of course mine is worse being proper man flu, whilst Lynda is just a sniffle 🙂  ) It was a beautiful day weather wise and turned out to be a Red Grouse photo day! And Lochindorb was a perfect place to start the New Birding year.

The Grouse were out in force today, must have been the sunny weather and calm winds, the white faced bird was unusual as was seeing the one walking along the small sandy beach right at the waters edge. Other birds that were good to get on the list were, Fieldfare, Redwing, Long Tailed Tit, Bullfinch and Jay. So just a couple of hours in the field, but a great way to start the new year.