Tours
Tours Reports|
Scotland Tour Report 8th-
12th April 2004
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Tours Reports |
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Early morning Capercaillie watch |
Ptarmigan- 6 birds found this year |
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Species
List
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Tour
Report
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1 B Blackbird 2 BF Bullfinch 3 BH Black-headed Gull 4 BK Black Grouse 5 BT Blue Tit 6 BV Black-throated Diver 7 BZ Common Buzzard 8 C Carrion Crow 9 CA Cormorant 10 CD Collared Dove 11 CH Chaffinch 12 CI Crested Tit 13 CM Common Gull 14 CO Coot 15 CP Capercaillie 16 CR Crossbill 17 CT Coal Tit 18 CU Curlew 19 D Dunnock 20 DI Dipper 21 EA Golden Eagle 22 GB Great Black-backed Gull 23 GC Goldcrest 24 GD Goosander 25 GJ Greylag Goose 26 GL Grey Wagtail 27 GN Goldeneye 28 GO Goldfinch 29 GR Greenfinch 30 GS Great Spotted Woodpecker 31 GT Great Tit 32 H Heron 33 HG Herring Gull 34 Hooded Crow 35 HS House Sparrow 36 J Jay 37 JD Jackdaw 38 K Kestrel 39 L Lapwing |
40
LB Lesser Black-Backed Gull
41 LG Little Grebe 42 LT Long-tailed Tit 43 M Mistle Thrush 44 MA Mallard 45 MG Magpie 46 MH Moorhen 47 MP Meadow Pipit 48 MS Mute Swan 49 OC Oystercatcher 50 OP Osprey 51 PE Peregrine 52 PG Pink-footed Goose 53 PH Pheasant 54 PM Ptarmigan 55 PW Pied Wagtail 56 R Robin 57 RG Red Grouse 58 RH Red-throated Diver 59 RK Redshank 60 RN Raven 61 RO Rook 62 S Skylark 63 SC Stonechat 64 SG Starling 65 SH Sparrowhawk 66 SK Siskin 67 SM Sand Martin 68 ST Song Thrush 69 SU Shelduck 70 SZ Slavonian Grebe 71 T Teal 72 TC Treecreeper 73 TU Tufted Duck 74 WN Wigeon 75 WP Woodpigeon 76 WR Wren |
9th April
A (optional) v 10th April
Some of the party made an early morning return to Loch Garten , but alas
Capercaillie were not showing today. However 3 Osprey were
counted and our Black Grouse male was present. In all 3 males were
locat
l scans of the loch a pair were located, swimming serenely. Interestingly, in several large skeins (100-300) Pink-footed Geese were observed flying NW, also flying was a second pair of Black-throated Diver, much to everyone's delight. Scanning a crag produced a further Peregrine. The loch side produced a few Redshank and Oystercatcher. A thoroughly superb day was topped off by an excellent Indian meal in a local restaurant. Not surprisingly BOTD was Ptarmigan. 11th April A stroll by one of the party around Aviemore, before breakfast produced Dipper. Slavonian Grebe was the target for this morning. A search of several waters produced a couple of birds, although the photographers in the group had a testing time as the Slavonian Grebes continually dived, and surfaced only briefly. Confusing the issue were several Little Grebe, but side by side com parisons
could be made. A return visit to the uplands in search of Hen Harrier
was
in vane. The weather was cool and overcast, despite this plenty of birds
were seen including Raven and lots of Red rouse, including
Roger the Rogue
Red Grouse, who took exception to any red vehicle, and became very aggressive-
guess what colour our vehicle was!He made lots of noises, and came very
close, much to the delight of all. A return to the Caledonian woodland around
Loch Garten produced lots of birds, although Crested Tit were on
the thin side, Some of the party finding a couple of birds. More Pink-footed
Geese were noted moving NW, with skeins of 100+ birds. Another superb
day in the field, we returned to our favourite restaurant for our final
evening meal. Bird of the Day was a unanimous decision- Roger the Rogue
Red Grouse, with Slavonian Grebe a close second.
plus
distantly leking Black Grouse, and very brief views of Crested
Tit for some. Somewhat disillusioned we returned to our transport
for the journey south, and low and behold, in aScots pine , directly above
the van was a stunning Crested Tit, which behaved impeccably, enabling
all to obtain great views! The long journey south was enlivened by yet
more Buzzard. The pager informed us that a Bufflehead was
still present in West Yorkshire. A 10min detour and a 15 min walk produced
a stunning male Bufflehead, this a fitting end to another great
tour.
2003/4 trip reports available in our Tour Report Archive. Bookings are now being taken for our next Scotland tour click here |
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Tours |
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Tours Reports |
8th
April An excited group headed north, after a false start (the skilled
and accomplished leaderforgot the large hot water flask- essential equipment).
A smooth journey north was enlightened with lots of Oystercatcher,
Curlew and Buzzard as we journeyed through Scotland. A lunch
break by the Tay did produce Goosander. Arriving at our very comfortable
b+b we settled in before exploring Aviemore, with a hearty meal and several
pints in the appropriately named 'Winking Owl'- Bird of the day was Buzzard,
because of the sheer numbers encountered.
ery
early start (05:00) and out before dawn toarrive at Loch Garten for the
Capercaillie watch. In the lessening gloom the cameras picked up
a single male, but alas it was not in view. As the light increased, the
air was punctuated with the calls of the very famous pair of Osprey,
which had returned that week, as they re-established the pair bond. In
the woods dozens of Siskin called as they buzzed around the Caledonian
woodlands. Then from the hide the shout of Capercaillie went up,
as a male was spotted from the hide, in the long heather. Although distant,
everyone eventually saw this turkey sized monster. On a high we returned
to Aviemore for breakfast, via a traditional Black Grouse lek.
To our surprise a male was still strutting his stuff, much to the delight
of our party. The sight and sound of a Black Grouse in full display
mode is an amazing sight. Raptors were our quarry for the remainder of
the day. Despite the overcast weather we were not disappointed 5 species
of raptors were our reward for patiently scanning valley ridges. Kestre
l,
Buzzard, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk were noted, plus
excellent views of Golden Eagle. At one point 4 Golden Eagles
were seen together, as well as Ring Ouzel and Raven.
We returned to the Abernethy Forest in search of Crossbills. 2004
is a poor year for Crossbills this year, but a couple were seen
briefly, plus brief views for some of Crested Tit. We returned
for an evening meal in a local restaurant. Bird of the day (BOTD) was
the impressive Black Grouse.
ed.
After our deserved breakfast we headed into the hills looking for Ptarmigan.
A steady walk uphill, was hampered by more snow than usual, which made
the going tough. Plenty of Red Grouse initiated false alarms, but
hitting the snowline and in the distance the grate of calling Ptarmigan
was heard. Eventually we tracked down a pair and got very close. The white
plumage contrasting with the grey rocks. We spent a long time watching
these birds. A further 4 Ptarmigan were located in the vicinity. Elated
we returned to a local loch for well deserved lunch break, here Red-throated
Diver were seen. In the area were 22 Goldeneye andseveral pairs
of Wigeon. In the afternoon the water theme continued with a drive
to large upland loch, this in previous years held Black-throated Diver,
we were not disappointed. After severa
12th
April Our final morning was not wasted. Following a great breakfast
we packed our bags and headed for Loch Garten. We were on the hunt for
Crested Tit, one that all the group could see. A lengthy walk to
Loch Mallachie produced lots of Goldeneye and Wigeon, 
