This was a special joint event, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the formation of Highland and Caithness branches.  Six members from Caithness (Reay , Keiss and Dunnet) joined nine from Highland (Inverness, Black Isle, Dingwall, Evanton, Nethybridge, Glenurquhart and a very distant member from Melvich – Graham Crittenden).

We met briefly at the Coffee Bothy carpark in Golspie before heading to the Big Burn carpark for a walk up the stream to the falls, which was a new area for some.  Birds were mainly of the tit variety, but included a Treecreeper, Robin, Blackbird, Woodpigeon and a Grey Wagtail was heard but not seen. Sadly, there was no sign of the Dipper.  Stopping for coffee at the shore carpark, several birds were scoped on the sea - Eider, Common Scoter, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck and Cormorant, whilst Bar-tailed Godwit and Redshank were on the shore, Starlings were in the nearby trees and House Sparrows in the bushes. But perhaps the highlight was the superb celebration cake which was much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed by all!

The SWT woods were our next stop but these were very quiet. The hide was more productive with Shelduck, Mallard, Wigeon, Redshank and a single Knot, which were all scared by a Peregrine stooping . Red Kites were also seen as well as a small flock of Siskins.

Our final stop was at Littleferry where we had lunch  - Carol spotted a Kestrel. The tide was flooding well with Red-breasted Mergansers floating backwards.  Ringed Plover and Dunlin were spotted by us and also by a bird of prey which went down into them.  The bird’s identity was debated but some thought it was a Sparrowhawk.  Out at the headland a Reed Bunting appeared briefly. There were good numbers of Eiders at sea – two in very strange moult patterns - plus Red- and Black-throated Divers.

Total species count for the day was 55 although a Buzzard was seen by one carload on our return past the Golspie golf club. It was considered a very successful get-together meeting folk that had only been seen on our Zoom meetings.     Perhaps it should become a more frequent event? And the cake was a bonus!!  

We were lucky to have a dry but chilly day for our observations around this area of Inverness. The water was as high as I’ve ever seen it and very fast flowing. A male Goosander was waiting to be admired just by the fishermen’s car park and it flew up and down the river during our walk around the main island. The female was also spotted. There were plenty of Rooks and Carrion Crows on the deserted playing fields, Wood and Feral Pigeons, Blue, Great and Coal Tits were in the nearby trees bordering the fields. Three Red Kites flew overhead at some point. Our only sight of a busy Dipper was from the path looking into the really fast-flowing water surging through flooded bushes and stones.  How it manages to keep its footing I can’t imagine, or perhaps it doesn’t!
 
Once on the island someone spotted a well-camouflaged Redwing scuffling among dead leaves, a Wren and Blackbirds were also seen.
 
We then drove the short way to Whin Park.  No sign of the Kingfisher but Mallards hoping to be fed!  A Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Treecreeper and Buzzard were the only additions here.
 
Then on to the Merkinch Nature Reserve to find the tide right out so that the exposed shingle, mud and weed provided an excellent viewing area for our scopes. A large number of Curlews were dozing together with Oystercatchers and Dunlins, a perfect spot for lunch!
Walking along the path towards Clachnaharry a little finch flock, full of interest, obligingly perched really close on a hawthorn tree.  Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Siskin were among them.  The new alterations to the path to allow for pedestrians passing and birding are a huge improvement to the site.  Looking down on to the pools, some empty because of the low tide, and some non-tidal ones full, is always of interest.  Redshanks, Teals, Wigeons, more Oystercatchers and a Yellowhammer were seen, and just as we were giving up on the resident Kingfisher it flashed past us and sat in full splendour on a very prominent branch beneath us.  Joy!
 
Little Grebes were numerous on the firth side of the path.  Not just one or two but several groups of two and one of three if not four! Busy busy, continually diving and resurfacing and lovely to watch.  Fieldfares, Dunnock, Treecreeper, Cormorant,  Black-headed and Common Gulls were also in evidence.
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Final stop was at Alturlie where Slavonian Grebes, Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers and Pink-footed Geese were visible on the water.  Lots of Lapwings were on the field and over on the hidden pools groups of Teals and Mallards were almost hidden by the rushes along the pool margins. Three Magpies were feeding on the adjacent field as a Buzzard sat motionless in a faraway tree. A string of Linnets sitting on a fence gave cause for discussion as to whether they were actually Linnets but no definite conclusion was reached as the light was not brilliant!  Excuses?  Oh, and a Pheasant from the car on the way back to Burger King!
 
Very many thanks to Mary Galloway for providing an excellent reason for birding close to home.
64 species.

​Freydis