Day 4/5 and 6 back to the Mainland, Slav Grebe and out and about
We set off early to get the first crossing back to the Mainland. First stop planned was to have another crack at the Black Guillemots at Oban. Sadly the tide wasn’t quite right to get photos of the birds on the water at eye level so had to make do with the odd one that landed on the path or ones the poked their heads out of their nest holes. It’s crazy to see these birds just sat on the path as the local walk back and forth going about their daily business.
Black Guillemot - Oban, May 2021
Next stop was the short trip to Glasdrum Woods. This is a superb area for one the the UK rarest butterflies the Chequered Skipper. A new species for both Ricky and Adrian. We headed up to the area where I had seen them on a previous trip and it wasn’t long before we had our eye in and we saw some good numbers of these tiny butterflies.
Chequered Skipper - Glasdrum Woods, June 2021
We bumped into a group of scientists from a University that had been tasked with collecting a few samples of these butterflies. Not something that I would always agree with but talking to these guys it was evident why they were doing it. I can’t remember the name of the project but the brief was to collect and safeguard all species of UK butterflies. Next up is moths. Glasdrum woods is always good for a calling Cuckoo and like Mull there seemed to be a few about. We also saw a few very worn Pearl bordered fritillary and a few Small Pearl Bordred fritillary.
Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary - Glasdrum Woods June 2021
After removing a few of the local ticks ( Glasdrum woods seems to be a hot spot for them) we set off across Scotland to reach our final distination. The Cairngorms and surrondong area. We made a few stops en route to check out some hot spots for breeding waders. One being a loch near Laggan sadly we didn't seen any off our targets but did spend an hour are so watching a couple of pairs of Common Sandpipers. Also in this area were some Common Pheasants oddly enough the all seemed to black or melanistic.
Next stop was Aviemore to get some food. Everywhere was really busy what with it being the school break and the country being on lock down for so long. The only place without a long wait was the chippy. Job done. We next headed over to a small loch on the outside of Aviemore to look for Slav Grebe. We were in luck a pair were nesting right next to the road. No photos as with this being such a rare bird we stayed well a way and just admired through the bins. The locals were quite happy to point out their star guest. Must be amazing to have these nesting outside your front window.
Loch Alvie - June 2021
Last stop of the day was Lochindorb always a good place for Black-throated Divers and Red Grouse. The Divers were there again and always great to see. No attempt was made to take any pictures as its a protected species. We drove around Lochindorb and found no Red Grouse probably the first time I have not seen a grouse on this moor. The Black-headed gull colony was in full voice and some birds were nesting pretty much at the Road side. including this oddly coloured set. Something I hadn't seen before. Black-headed Gulls eggs are collected (by licence holders) in a few spots around the UK and sold as delicacy. Not for me I will just stick to chicken eggs.
Black-headed Gull - Lochindorb June 2021
We finally ended our day at our digs a beautiful little AirB&B alongside the Finhorn. Best thing about this place was that the owners had left us some local beers from the Black Isle Brewing Co. Being a massive beer fan this made my day and they were all new ones to check in on my untapped beer app!! If you tick birds on a list then surely you have to tick beers on a list too. If in the area I highly recommend this place. Its in a great location with amazing views. It was clean and tidy with good size rooms. Its location is The Old School House East Dalarossie, Strathdearn, Invernessshire.
The Old School House, June 2021
Day 5
Next day we headed outside of the Cairngorms to a Loch on the Black Isle for Slavonian Grebe. Its a good spot as these birds can be seen and photographed from the footpath.
Scottish Loch - June 2021
Sadly these Grebes numbers seem to be diwindling across Scotland and a site that used to hold a few pairs now only seemed to have 2 pairs. What I did notice was an increase in the Little Grebe numbers here and saw a couple of pairs one had 3 chicks already on the water. The pair we spent sometime with were nesting in the reeds close to the path. It was great to watch their behaviour as the came in and out of the reeds. The pictures were always a little distant but some nice light made for some great colours on the water.
Slavonian Grebe - Undisclosed location, June 2021
Slavonian Grebe - Undisclosed location, June 2021
Slavonian Grebe - Undisclosed location, June 2021
Slavonian Grebe - Undisclosed location, June 2021
Slavonian Grebe - Undisclosed location, June 2021
Slavonian Grebe - Undisclosed location, June 2021
The afternoon was spend around the Woodlands of Rothiemurchus and Loch an Eilein not much about really but if I was a year ticker Spotted Flycatcher would of been an addition. I did have a nice Large Red Damselfly posing.
Large Red Damsely - Lochan nan Craobh Loisgte, June 2021
We headed up to the Ski centre car park in hope of Ring Ozuel and it wasn't long before we could hear the beautiful song of a male singing along one of the Mountain tracks it actual took a while to locate. We could hear it just couldn't see it. Eventually it give its self up. It was difficult to photography and a lot of the photos were effected by heat haze.
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
It joined its partner down by the Ski centre and at times was feeding pretty much around our feet. Clearly use to people. The male turned out to be a rung Ring Ozuel. Sadly for photography in my opinion this ruins the photo and personally I don't like to photography birds with bling. Having said that I am not opposed to bird ringing and understand a lot of data can be collected from these birds. So long may it continue.
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
Ring Ozuel, Cairngorms, June 2021
Later that evening we headed back out to Lochindorb after we had a report of a pair of Red-throated Divers on a small loch nearby. We also wanted to have a look around for Golden Plovers that are often seen within the area. After a long walk which was very wet underfoot, good job I only had a pair of trainers on. We came across the small loch sadly no Red-throated Divers on it.
There were a pair of Golden Plovers calling nearby I love the call it makes. Really makes you fell like you are on an upland moorland. I laid down in the heather for a while and managed a few distant shots and also collected a few ticks as well. Seems everywhere you go nowadays you need to be very careful with ticks.
Golden Plover, Lochindorb, June 2021
Golden Plover, Lochindorb, June 2021
Golden Plover, Lochindorb, June 2021
Golden Plover, Lochindorb, June 2021
Golden Plover, Lochindorb, June 2021
Golden Plover, Lochindorb, June 2021
On our drive back to our accomadtion I saw a Black bird sat in a tree and called it as a Black Grouse which was a little unexpected. A quick u turn and it was in fact 3 Black Grouse sat in a road side tree. Managed a quick shot before they all took off. Not a very good one and he was facing the wrong way!! I am guessing the area near to this was a Black Grouse Lek as we saw a fair few males on the hill side.
Black Grouse - Undisclosed Location, June 2021
This brought the end of another good day.
Day 6
Day 6 was another look around day and the morning was spent along the River Findhorn. We spent a while looking for Common Sandpipers along the banks but drew a blank.
River Findhorn - June 2021
We did find an Oystercatcher on the bank.
Oystercatcher, River Findhorn - June 2021
A Golden Eagle was seen over head later in the morning
