17th Jan-4th Feb 2015
As good as it gets!
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Saturday 17th January
The drive north to Nethy Bridge was very pleasant. As I approached the mountains I had a foretaste of what was to come - somewhere north of Perth.
Sunday 18th January
The first day we headed east out of the snow and rain to Aberdeen to see if we could catch up with the harlequin duck which was well settled at Seaton Park. Whilst seeking out our quarry we saw dipper on the River Don.
It took us some time to locate the bird upstream of the park itself and near a fast flowing stretch that it clearly enjoyed. Here are some of the best images of this great bird.
I tried to get a shot looking back upstream into the light.
This required some agility balancing on a rock whilst holding onto a piece of security fence! I returned to the first spot to take some more. The bird took no notice of us: in fact it came closer and closer...
Back at the car park one crow was especially tame.
The first day finished at Lossiemouth east beach where we picked up the green-winged teal and a flock of snow buntings.
Monday 19th January
After Aberdeen in the east we headed west to Ullapool. The drive was spectacular: I felt we were somewhere near the arctic circle!
Spot the red deer!
We couldn't locate the ivory gull we had come to see in Ullapool harbour. We did see some hooded crows there but we knew the bird also frequented a fish farm at Ardmair a couple of miles away...
The bird was spotted across the bay but distant even with the scope. It's feeding on scraps - in the image just above the workers at the salmon farm.
We hoped it would come closer. Meanwhile we watched black guillemots, divers, ravens, shags, mergansers and even a little grebe. An otter swam quite close.
A robin wanted to make friends and climbed on and even into our vehicle.
I think the noise of my shutter spooked him!
Eventually the workers towed the day's 'catch' back to our shore -and, bless him, the gull came too!
Here's a short video taken with my phone.
Tuesday 20th January
Loch Garten was an early morning visit to see if we could find some crested tits. Never seen so many - battalions you might say - of coal tits. Here are the cresties.
Somehow they look better up in a tree although in fact they spent more time on the ground.
My favourite crestie image!
Later that day we spent some time at Insh Marshes RSPB - much snow and ice, few birds close at hand. Ravens, hundreds of red grouse and golden eagle watched distantly. The ruins of Ruthven Barracks looked austere in the monochrome winter light. They still have a tale to tell.
Due to continued unrest in Scotland, the British government decided to build fortified barracks in strategic locations: the new barracks at Ruthven were completed in 1721 on the castle hilltop. The barracks accommodated 120 troops and 28 horses for dragoons. In August 1745 a unit of 12 British soldiers defended the barracks against 200 Jacobites and lost just one man. The following year they surrendered to a larger force of Jacobites.
On the day after the Culloden in 1746, some 3,000 Jacobites retreated to Fort Ruthven but they were sent home by Prince Charles Edward Stuart as their situation was hopeless.The departing Jacobites destroyed the barracks on 17 April 1746.Only the remnants remain
A few whoopers remained on the marsh.
Wednesday 21st January
A day in the Nairn-Findhorn Bay- Lossiemouth area. Not many photos but wonderful scope views of slavonian grebes [probably at least 30 altogether] and equally huge numbers of pristine long-tailed ducks, probably a couple of hundred seen. Many were beautiful males. This female graced us with her presence by coming to have a look at us at Nairn Golf Club.
In Lossiemouth in late afternoon the RAF squadrons were returning to base.
As were squadrons of sanderling!
My first grey plover of the year was there too with some dunlin [and a ringed plover].
Thursday 22nd January - Cairn Gorm
A wonderful day for me. Things I'd never done before and a bird I'd dreamt about...
We arrived at the base station to catch the funicular to the top of Cairn Gorm. Snow buntings were in the car park. In the snow too!!
Wouldn't mind a go on one of those...
...or even on this one!
We waited our turn to take a ride to snowland! Off we go!
We soon spotted a distant ptarmigan in our scopes. However, later, after celebratory hot chocolate, we were treated to amazingly close views of a pair of male ptarmigans. I took a few photos of course! A lifer for me, I may never experience views of ptarmigan like this ever again so apologies for the sheer number of photos!
Nice feathered feet!
Friday 23rd January
To Dingwall to see a rather special gull in Pefferside Park, on the frozen boating lake. Forget your ivory gulls, this bird had everything. Smart in two ways: looks and intelligence. He wasn't interested in Tesco's bread but he would sell his very soul for Hobnob biscuits! A bird I've waited many times for in Mirfield, West Yorks [and seen, admittedly a couple of times] but not one with the charisma of this bird. So again, no apologies for so many photos.
The ice was slippery!
Above: Personality!
Not 100% sharp but I liked this shot.
The light changed as the sky brightened.
Saturday 24th January: the journey home
I took the east coast route, passing Bass Rock.
Crossing the Forth road bridge...
...I paused to photograph the famous rail bridge.
Sunday 25th January
A fruitless trip to Pugney's for the legendary smew. Goldeneye, but no white nun.
Whoopers at North Duffield.
It rained golden plover. What else can you spot? At least four other species I think!
Greylags came straight at me and veered away at the last moment!
Friday 30th January
My third attempt to see the short-eared owls at Buckton. At least the weather was right this time. I was hopeful.
Gannets and fulmars were on the cliffs already.
An owl was sunning himself on the Heligoland trap.
He flew off.
Another bird came and landed on the roof of the trap.
February 1st: National Smew Day
On the River Calder at Pugney's CP. Why is a male duck called a nun? Who cares! Smew at last.
Unintentionally I spooked it. Not the kind of thing I like to do. I was annoyed with myself.
Fortunately we saw it again on the nature reserve lake. It didn't go far.
Monday 2nd February
A day near Saltholme. A kingfisher was fishing from the sand martin wall at the visitor centre.
At Phil Stead hide a snipe was showing well.
Greatham Creek held few birds: there was an extremely high tide. Just a few mergansers lingered on the river.
This female kept flying off, circling me, and then coming back to the creek.
The sun slowly sank in the west as I decided to head for home.
Wednesday 4th February
The last lap; the first laugh!
On Tuesday a laughing gull was reported at New Brighton, on a pontoon on the marine lake. A potential lifer, I arranged to stay at my mother-in-law's overnight and see the bird the following morning. I hoped. Eventually it came but only stayed a few minutes. On subsequent days it has been much better behaved. Anyway, I saw it and got a few pictures. Lifer 414 UK.
The last laugh. Seems a good place to end this mammoth blog. Hope you enjoyed the photos.
