We then visited the land of Arabella Croft, Hill of Fortrose to pick up a good flock of mixed siskins and goldfinches. Three species of tits were on the fat balls and a walk in the woodland turned up goldcrest, robin, treecreeper, redpoll with redwing and blackbirds gobbling up rowan berries.. A jay and bullfinch were heard and whilst we ate lunch two red kite flew over.
We then moved on to a very windy and damp Chanonry Point where gannets, shag, cormorant, and guillemot were added to our tally. Finally we reached Avoch seafront after a detour via country lanes as the road was blocked. I later learned this was a fallen tree. The light was falling but, at last, we found a grey heron and on the road home a white pheasant with a female brown one were noted.
Notable ‘misses’ turnstone, collared dove, starling, linnet, red-breasted merganser.
Total number of species: 67
Mary Galloway