Species List
Scotland 2006
20th April
In fine weather
the group were collected from Sheffield and Hull, and we began the long
drive north, stopping off several times along the way. A roadside flash
off the A66 provided a convenient, if not noisy lunch stop with Oystercatcher,
Shelduck, as well as Tufted Duck and a noisy colony of Black-headed
Gulls. Crossing the border we picked up more and more including Curlew,
Buzzard and Oystercatcher.
Arriving
in Aviemore, our base for the tour, we sorted ourselves out in the comfortable
B+B's. Quickly gathe ring
our optics and shooting off to a nearby loch before dusk. This proved
to worth the short drive, with 200 Pink-footed Geese noted >NW,
plus 3 summerplumaged Red-throated Diver on the loch, plus numerous
Wigeon and Goldeneye, plus Common Sandpiper and Goosander.
We also picked up an Osprey as drove around. Despite spending most
of the day in the mini-bus, we saw 52 species in the day- not bad. We
returned for a shower and off to aptly named Winking Owl for a meal and
drinks- although an early night was needed for our early start tomorrow.
21st April
Our first
full day in this superb area, involved an early start, setting off well
before dawn to Loch Garten, in search of woodland species. Before dawn
we heard Osprey calling over heads, with several Siskin
and Chaffinch around. We awaited the ar rival
of dawn, the wait continued, we were rewarded by a glimpse of a male Capercaillie-
moving to the forward hide, and positioning ourselves in the hide we could
see quite clearly this huge turkey-like bird. A stunning male with a huge
pale bill, and very well marked plumage. With time before breakfast we
decided to go to a nearby Black Grouse lek, although we were not
hopeful as the morning was progressing (in Black Grouse terms).
We shouldn't have worried as at least 3 males were still jousting, their
bubbles & wooshes evocative of this part of Scotland. We returned
to our B+B for a well-earned breakfast. After breakfast we decided to
go north to a favoured valley for raptors, as today was the best day weather
wise. Although it was fine, it was quite breezy and bitterly cold, but
with full stomachs we ventured into the wilds of the highlands. Following
a single track road we stopped at a likely looking bridge over a burn
and straight away had the first of 2 Dippers of the day, followed
by 2 noisy Common Sandpiper. Curlew, Oystercatcher,
Common & Black-headed Gull were also vocally abundant!
and were present all morning. On the rocky slopes were quite a few freshly
arrived Wheatears, although we scanned the skies in search of raptors,
initially a pair of Raven gronked away, although we quickly picked
up a pair of Peregrines that nest in the valley. Braving the biting
winds, sustained by frequent hot drinks, we racked up 47 Pink-footed
Geese, a f Goshawk and the star birds 2 adult Golden Eagles-
just rewar ds
for persevering the cold weather. A walk down the valley produced singing
Ring Ouzel. A detour over the moors gave us many Red Grouse,
although Hen Harrier were absent, (as a result of few Meadow
Pipits returning so far), we did have at least 1, maybe 2 more Goshawk,
and several Buzzard. Returning to our B+B we called off a small
lochen en-route and were rewarded by 5 stunning summer plumaged Slavonian
Grebe that were lit by the late afternoon light-this ended our day
fittingly.
22nd April
Our merry
band again sacrificed sleep for an early startto search for Capercaillie,
yet again dawn came and went, but this time we were rewarded with better
views of 2 males, this time viewable from the main hide, although part-hidden
in the long heather. They strutted their stuff and showed well for quite
along time, we were also rewarded with Red Squirrel outside the hide at
Loch Garten, and with cracking Crested Tit as we made our way back
to the car park. With time to spare we had a quick walk into Garten Woods,
were we were rewarded with another Crested Tit, this time
at the nest- riding our luck we paid a quick visit to the Black Grouse
site, and our luck held, with 2 males still present at the lek. Again
we returned for hearty breakfast, before heading north to the coast at
Lossiemouth, by way of an upland loch. Arriving at Lossiemouth we hit
the coast above the harbour with plenty to occupy us on the sea in front
of us. Sandwich Terns were obvious, as were a total of 6 Red-throated
Diver. Close scrutiny of the rocky shore revealed 5 Purple Sandpiper,
and bobbing around were 3 Long-tailed Duck. Also on the water were
several Eider, 200 Common Scoter, with many Fulmar
& Gannet. A surprise find was an adult Great Northern Diver,
beginning to moult into summer plumage. Moving into town we headed for
the harbour, and the outer wall, to our amazement the sea was full of
sea duck. The majority were Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter.
We estimated at least 2000 Long-tailed Duck present, with 500 Common
Scoter in the area. Returning to Aviemore we made a slight detour
and picked up 3 stunning summer plumaged Black-throated Diver,
albeit in the now very windy conditions. We sought shelterin the gorgeous
Abernethy Forest, which afforded some shelter. We searched high &
low for woodland species, with tantalising views of 2 Crossbills,
although they flew of before we got to grips with them. Then wouldn't
you know it, returning to the vehicle, we found a cracking pair of Crossbills,
giving good enough views to i.d. them as Scottish Crossbill, these
our target birds, as well as 2 more Crested Tits, in the blustery
conditions. We returned tour accommodation following another exhilarating
day in the field. Following a wash & brush up we headed in to Aviemore
to one of the many restaurants.
23rd April

A change
of pre-breakfast venue saw the group at a Black Grouse lek, getting
out of the van we were immediately rewarded in surround sound of Black
Grouse males calling away. In front of us were 4 or 5 birds, but behind
us some distance away, but clearly audible & visible were a further
8 birds , including several females. They put on quite an exclusive show
for the appreciative crowd. Our substantial breakfast was needed today
as we planned on climbing into the hills and look out for Ptarmigan.
Luckily their wasn't too much snow, as we pulled into the car park at
the Cairngorm Ski Centre. The centre was very busy, although as we began
to climb into the hills we lost the crowds and were on our own, except
for the harsh 'go back' calls of Red Grouse and Meadow Pipits.
Typically it was cool in this mountain environment, although warm clothing
kept us warm, we quickly chilled when we stopped for drinks or to scan.
We reached the spot where we expected to see our goal- Ptarmigan,
unfortunately we drew a blank, viewing the rocky slopes took a lot of
time, patience and a keen eye for the smallest movement. We moved further
along the scree, and again scanned. About to give up and move on the shout
of "I've got 2" went up- The Ptarmigan proved frustratingly
difficult to locate, as the white plumaged birds merged well with the
pale snow covered rocks, and only became obvious when they wandered across
a patch of grass & heather, much to the delight of all. We ended up
with a count of 5, some seen, some heard- tantalisingly close. The slog
up the mountain side had been worth it, as we enjoyed good views of these
birds, although we began to chill and thought about retracing our steps.
Arriving back at the car park we enjoyed our lunch and hot drinks, and
a sit down! Following our exertion we decided to head north to a track
over the moors in search of more upland species, plus it meant we could
have a sit down. Our perseverance paid off as a huge female Goshawk
was observed, plus 6 Buzzard and lots of Kestrel and Wheatear,
although no Hen Harrier were seen, as we thought , there was still
a lack of prey for the Harriers to feed on (Meadow Pipits).
We returned to Aviemore and treated ourselves to a meal in an Indian Restaurant-
which was delicious!
24th April
Our last
day saw us pass on the p re-breakfast
jaunt in favour of an earlier breakfast, allowing us to get away and drive
south. We packed our gear, and following a visit to a local brewery for
some liquid souvenirs www.cairngormbrewery.com
(recommended), we headed south, although we diverted to the west coast
at Irvine, as a mobile, but long-staying King Eider was too good
an opportunity to pass up. We arrived at Irvine just after lunch, and
scoured the harbour mouth and the channels in to Irvine. An intensive
2 hours failed to produce the elusive King Eider, although we did
seem to entertain the locals with our wild duck chase. We parked on the
beach front car park, but were literally sand blasted by a very strong
winds and half the beach. Several other birders were there and they reported
the grim news "it had not been seen all day"- the words all
birders dread. We had picked up Red-throated Diver, Fulmar,
Gannet, loads of Mute Swans in the harbour, Shelduck
& lots of Eider. We had to make the decision to continue our
journey south. We dropped off the last of our party and bid our fond farewells
in the late evening, following an uneventful drive south- the long journey
allowed us to recall what a brilliant trip it had been, covering a variety
of pristine habitats, which revealed some truly spectacular and impressive
species and numbers, with excellent food & accommodation. Here's to
the next Gone Birding tour to this remarkable part of the UK.
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