It was a truly glorious day on the west coast as 16 SOC members set out from Arisaig on the Sheerwater, a passenger ferry to the Small Isles. The crossing was quite calm and we had good views of Black Guillemot and Great Northern Divers in summer plumage. 1 distant Manx Shearwater was seen and 1 equally distant Gannet. Apart from seals, cetaceans were disappointingly hard to find, although a porpoise was spotted by some.
As we approached Eigg, Common/Arctic Terns were seen as well as both Cormorant and Shag and 2 Great Skuas. After only an hour, 15 disembarked onto the pier at Eigg, 1 person continuing onto Muck for a few quiet hours walking and birdwatching. We were met at the pier by Norah Barnes, SWT Ranger on Eigg and John ‘Bird’ Chester, previous ranger and long term resident on the island. Charlie the bus transported us up the road towards Laig where we stopped and walked into a planted wooded area which is being transformed by clearing exotics, encouraging native trees to regenerate and also planting native species. The party split here, some taking a footpath down towards Laig whilst others returned to the minibus to continue their journey to Laig by bus.
We hadn’t walked far when a ragged White-tailed Eagle flew above us chased by an intrepid Sparrowhawk. The raptor bonanza had only just begun! Also in the air was a Golden Eagle, at least 3 Sparrowhawks and an unidentified falcon, probably Kestrel. We were then treated to a wonderfully prolonged display by a pair of Hen Harriers, including an aerial food pass by the male bird. What a joyous sight!

Dragging ourselves away, we continued on to the wee lochan where we had lovely views of Little Grebe parents with chicks and the views across the Sound of Rum to Rum were exceptional. We joined the rest of our party for lunch above the beach at Laig using Norah’s scope to view some Red-throated Divers in the sound. Orca had been spotted from here a few days ago, but not today.

Reluctantly, time was against us, and we had to head off on the return journey. Nice views of Sand Martin and a Sedge warbler, but the Grasshopper Warbler seen earlier by the bus group did not reappear. We walked back along the road to Galmisdale picking up species on the way. Back at the pier in time for the return ferry to Arisaig, we had all experienced a magical 5 hours on the Isle of Eigg, and our sincere thanks go to Norah and John for sharing their island so generously with us, and for answering our endless questions about the wildlife and about life on the island. The day just whetted our appetites for more, and many are already planning a return visit!
A total species count of 66 birds, including the boat trips.
Carol Miller
 

Overlooking Insh Marshes with Thijs Claes, Curlew Life Project Leader
 

This blog is as much about the information imparted to us as about the birds seen and heard.
 
A group of 4 met at RSPB Inshes Car Park on a rather dreich day where Pete Moore, recently retired warden, introduced us to the reserve. He had also kindly arranged for Thijs Claes, Curlew Life Project Officer, to introduce the work that he and his team are undertaking.
 
Thijs had set up his scope on a Curlew nest that was being observed with a camera and  showed us the equipment he uses to weigh and measure the eggs.  He explained that the area is one of the best sites for breeding Curlew in Scotland. Curlew Life is hoping to increase the population by providing suitable habitats for Curlew to nest and rear their chicks by making the marsh more diverse. There are five priority landscapes for Curlew Life with Insh Marshes being the only one in Scotland, the aim being to create a ‘centre of excellence for curlew conservation’. It is a 4 year project being managed by the RSPB with support from the EU LIFE programme. 
 
Insh Marshes is an area of 1000 hectares of wetland which is one of the least modified in Europe. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation supporting breeding waders including Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe. All these species were initially observed from the marshes looking towards Ruthven Barracks, along with Oystercatcher.
 
From the car park we observed Robin, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Pheasant, Sparrowhawk and Jackdaw
 
We then walked to the Gordonhall Hide to allow for closer views of the marsh which allowed for excellent views of a male Hen Harrier quartering the area directly in front of us and flushing other birds.
 
Other wildfowl observed were a resplendent male Shoveler, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Greylag and Canada Geese
 
Pete suggested walking along one of the nature trails from the Lookout hide with an aspen woodland. Discussion was had about how aspen trees propagate and we were fortunate to see aspen flowering, possibly due to the hot summer last year. Aspen trees are important for the insects they support, such as the aspen hoverfly and the dark bordered beauty moth. We saw nesting Starlings using the deadwood cavities. The older trees may be covered in lichen which can give the trunk a black appearance and have lenticels attached
 
Then we wandered some of the Lynachlaggan Trail until we reached a clearing overlooking the marsh with a picnic table and stopped for a brew and another scan of the area. Whilst there we saw Mute Swan, Buzzard, Lesser Redpoll, Coal, Blue and Great Tits along with Wren, Song and Mistle Thrushes. Sand Martins and Swallow were hawking over the reeds. We were fortunate to have another excellent view of the male Hen Harrier. We also saw Konik ponies, borrowed from Strathbeg, and used to keep the marsh in good condition as they can graze where it is too wet for livestock.
 
Our final stop was at Loch Insh to view the Osprey on its nest and where we also saw Goldeneye.
 
An excellent, informative outing which finished at 2.30pm with 43 species seen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Eleven members met at Slackbuie on a balmy April morning – no Culloden weather today with hailstones stinging our faces, thankfully sunshine!  After organisation of cars and parking (sorry folks) we set off up the Essich Brae and turned on to the Bunachton road that leads to Dunlichity through the western part of Leys estate, moorland, bogs, heathland and Caledonian forest, the remains of the Clack Fold of Leys.  Curlew, Red Kite, a Red Grouse, Stonechat and Meadow Pipits were showing and an Osprey was mobbed by a Buzzard and then flew over towards Loch Bunachton, where Song Thrush, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler showed.
After a quick stop at Dunlichity kirk, picking up Treecreepers, Mistle Thrushes and Kestrel, it was on to Brin rock where Raven and Peregrine tiercel obliged, and Carol got the falcon perched on a crag for everyone to enjoy, lit up in her scope.  Round to Loch Ruthven, past local Greylag Geese, there were Black-headed and Common Gulls, and Anne pointed out 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the field.  At the bay area by Ray’s seat, Red-throated Divers were showing in summer plumage as were Slavonian Grebes.
At one point I was looking at two Red-throated Divers and 3 grebes when a Common Sandpiper flew in front of the scope.   It pitched into the bottle sedge where Pied Wagtails, Teal and Dabchick were feeding. It became elusive but Craig and Sue saw it bobbing about.  Craig also picked up several drake Red-breasted Mergansers displaying on the loch.  No Osprey materialized, but a whole day can be spent in the hide here, and patience can be rewarded by Osprey fishing and Slavonian Grebes displaying in front of the hide, flyby Hen Harrier or Black Grouse on the hillside.  I have also seen Grasshopper Warbler in the bog myrtle, and a few years back a summer plumage Bonaparte’s Gull was frequenting the bay.

Anyway, time was pressing and - to cut to the chase – we went over to Strathdearn whilst the sun was out, for raptors and hoped-for Ring Ouzel.
Leaving Loch Ruthven and driving to Loch Farr through Drumlea we picked up common birds – Blackbirds, Blue and Great Tit and Yellowhammers. Heading up from Gaick to Kyllachy with David skilfully driving, spotting Red Grouse (male and female together), showing you can’t buy experience! I called several pairs of Wheatears that everyone thankfully saw well, and at 2066ft around Carnglac an Eich a surprise wee group of wagtails flying into the gorge, one obligingly perched on crash barrier – a migrating White Wagtail.
At the old stone bridge where the Kyllachy burn enters the Findhorn river, my good friend and companion birder, Blair Whyte was waiting for us at the pull-in and birding picked up a pace, despite clouding over and rain threatening.   The fields were full of waders, displaying Lapwings, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Golden Plover, drumming Snipe and Curlews. Overhead, Sand Martins, Kestrel, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks were enjoyed whilst the group had lunch.  A nice mix of folk, young Josh Allan reminding me of YOC days, and how the years fly by!
Looking towards Carn Phris Mhoir I picked up a distant White-tailed Eagle that unfortunately disappeared behind the carn, but Blair also got it in the scope and we agreed a juvenile, no white showing.  More raptors and Ravens came over, Red-legged Partridge showed, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the Scots pines with Greenfinch and Siskins, then the sun came back out!
Heading up the strath to the bridge at Glen Mazeran, a Swallow was perched on a wire after its long flight.  We searched in vain for Dipper, but Grey Wagtail, Peregrine, Red Kites, female Sparrowhawk put on a show and Dave called a pair of Goosander moving up the river.  Carol and I got on to a small raptor and a little further upriver it reappeared hunting the heather scree slopes at Carn Caol.  Merlin!    At the top carpark it was pleasantly warm for a change.  Buzzard, number 30+, appeared and Ravens flew into their nest, feeding fully grown chicks.
We decided to walk up towards Coignascallan and check out the southern facing moss and scree slopes and boulders, so much favoured by Ring Ouzel, but none showed.  Previous success I’ve had here included a pair with 3 juveniles in late July, and adult male feeding on the lawns at the stalker’s cottage!  To be honest, you can spend a day just searching these hillsides for mountain blackbirds.  And for many years I have done … but gone are the days in the 70s and 80s when they were all about Inverness straths at Brin, Dunlichity, Duntelchaig and Farr with SOC trips led by Roy Dennis.
Walking back to the carpark a pair of Peregrine Falcons put on a show, then a distant Goldie over the plateau at Carn Caol got closer and did skydancing with golden ball dives, putting on a brilliant show for everyone.  As it came even closer, the underwing and tail showing white, the golden head visible, we concluded that it was probably a 2/3 calendar year bird, as is often the case in this range.  Excellent finish – the cherry on the cake – we said our goodbyes and heading home via Garbole road to Inverarnie, a Grey Heron flew over the Nairn river.  Back through the Leys moor (3200 acres) and grateful thanks to all, Dave dropped me at Balvonie of Leys, where in the evening twilight I felt joy to have shared a wonderful spring day with fellow birders;  and as I watched a Kestrel hovering over the old byre, a badger sauntered into the garden for his oatmeal,  long-eared and pipistrele bats hawking the hedges, I felt privileged to live in one of the best areas in the UK.
C65+ species including 9 raptors and 8 spring migrants.  Also seen - common frog, common toad, red deer, brown hare and mountain hare.
Alan Macaskill et al
 

Good company (12 including three from the west), good birds (64 in total), good weather (4 seasons in the day).
We met at the rather unsalubrious recycling area of Lochcarron.  But whilst the parking left much to be desired, the birding from the shore exceeded our expectations despite a very high tide.  The west coast contingent (Bob McMillan our leader, Neil Bennett and Mick Watts) were delighted to see Sanderling (unusual in this area), and we all notched up shore birds, passerines, ducks, and a distant Golden Eagle.  As we returned to our cars, a keen eyed participant spotted a Sea Eagle sitting further down the loch.   So parking in the village we all had great views of a pair resting close together on an islet.  (Later on our return journey the WTs had gone, but the islet now held about 20 Common Gulls.)   Loch Kishorn was ‘scoped – since the clean up for the fish farms this is, sadly, no longer a hot spot for rare gulls.  However, species were added to the list.

Searching hard.

​Stopping half way up the Bealach na Ba in the cold east wind and rain (season 2) we listened for an early Ring Ouzel  but none were forthcoming.  The mist began to creep down the hillside and as we reached the top and pulled in opposite the track to the mast, the rains began in earnest.  Fortunately it was coffee time and after a short interlude, the mist cleared slightly and the rains eased somewhat.  Most of us decided to attempt the climb despite the icy wind and were rewarded by seeing a pair of Ptarmigan sheltering in the rocky scree – these were called to our attention by our newest member, Paul.  One was mainly white (female), the other more mottled (male) and distant photos were taken by Neil Bennett.  We returned to the cars where Golden Plover had been heard earlier.  By now it was season 3  – the skies were clearing and we were afforded distant views of Skye emerging from the mist. 

Ptarmigan (Neil Bennett)

Parking in the village of Applecross we scanned the loch.  3 types of divers, eiders, a lone Black Guillemot, Goldeneye, 3 LBBgulls but again no white-winged gulls.   Another shore and still no Greenshank but a Golden Eagle was spotted over the distant hillside.  The sun came out, and it was quite warm (season 4). The three from the west decided they were ready to return home, so the rest of us went to park at the Walled Garden and had a productive hour walking a circle through woodland (usual woodland species all in spring song), by the river (no Dipper or Grey Wagtail) and down to the shore.   Once more we had long views of a Golden Eagle drifting in the blue sky and sunshine whilst a Treecreeper fed up and down a nearby tree.  Redwings were feeding on the wet fields with Mistle Thrushes and our first and only Carrion Crow.  A flock of Meadow Pipits took flight.
Time marched on and we departed homewards – some around to Sheildaig and Torridon (a Gannet was seen), others to return via Lochcarron.   An excellent day and extra good to meet up with members from Balmacara and Skye. Our thanks especially to Bob who suggested and led the trip.

On a rare foray into “foreign” parts – who needs to leave Highland for birding? – a party of eleven met at Forres Tesco where, fortunately, Simon Cohen had brought his people carrier so we could all travel in two vehicles which helped with difficult parking spaces – thanks Simon.

First stop was at Findhorn Bay, near where the Mosset Burn discharges. As soon as we left the vehicles we realised that 50 or more Pink-footed Geese were very close and somewhat nervous. To our surprise they remained, with a little bit of coming and going, giving marvellous views. We scanned the distant ducks, gulls and waders but disappointingly there was no sign of the wintering Avocet. I had forewarned the party that it was difficult – how can a large, black and white wader hide so well? As a compensation, though, a Little Egret appeared distantly on the saltmarsh, then disappeared into a runnel – and then reappeared - giving everyone clear views and was a lifer for at least one of the party.
​

​​Next we drove to Burghead, conscious of darkening skies to the north and soon there was rain to add to the cold wind. The hillock at the end of the track gave slight shelter though as we scanned the shoreline and distant waters. Eiders, Goldeneyes.  Common Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks and a pair of fly-by Red-breasted Mergansers were soon identified as well as Guillemots, Razorbills, a few Gannets and the odd Kittiwake. At least four Red-throated Divers were picked out and Purple Sandpipers glimpsed. A Rock Pipit rasped and then did a bit of singing but the weather didn’t improve. We walked to the far end of the Maltings, seeking shelter but soon gave that up as a bad job as the rain worsened. Knowing when to retreat is a useful tactic when birding.

​A change of plan to take account of the weather saw us make for Spynie Loch RSPB Reserve when, of course, the rain stopped. There is a small hide there which one half of the party visited whilst the remainder birded at the car park’s feeders (we also fed!) Amongst the usual finches and tits we saw a few Yellowhammers, Long-tailed Tits, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Red Squirrel. The hide gave singing Little Grebes, various common ducks, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and a flyover Peregrine and a Crossbill sp was also spotted. The second detachment to the hide added Moorhen.

Next, we went to Lossiemouth West Beach where we saw a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits but Sanderlings were elusive and only glimpsed by one lucky observer. With a bit of perseverance a fine male Stonechat was admired by all and then we drove to the East Beach. This can be a great place for studying ducks, especially the hundreds of Teals and Wigeons, and vast flocks of gulls. Unfortunately, human disturbance was particularly heavy and birds were being put up constantly and gulls were seeking the peace of the Moray Firth. We heard there had been a second-calendar year Iceland Gull at Balornie Pig Farm so we determined to finish there but failed to find it amongst the hundreds – there are usually thousands – of gulls. A few Lapwings and very distant Linnets completed our day’s tally. I learnt later that an adult Iceland Gull turned up at the estuary after we left but you can’t be everywhere. This, indeed, was the theme for the day – not everyone will see everything, the Leader can only hope that most of the party will see most things, especially the scarcities and I think we succeeded in this venture out of Highland.
Total species count 72 (and a half - Hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow!)
 
Peter Gordon

Crossbill sp (Danny Rumble)

​We started on a grey, cool morning in the carpark at the west end of Loch Morlich, as we arrived a single male Crossbill was sat at the top of a tree in the carpark, unfortunately flying off before it could be identified or seen by most of the group!. We had a brief discussion on the ecology of the three species of Crossbill in Scotland, the history of Scottish Crossbill from 1904 onwards and the major sound analysis projects that have been undertaken on crossbills to date in Scotland and Europe. There was then a bit of a show and tell with some recent Crossbill chewed Scot’s Pine cones shown and a few twigs of Scot’s Pine showing the different cohorts of cones present typically at this time of year on this species of tree.
 
After this we explored the west side of the loch, a pair of Crested Tits were seen immediately as we left the carpark. We walked along the Crossbill-less forestry track to Loch nan Geadas where a fine pair of Goosander greeted us, along with a Grey Heron and a few Mallards. A Buzzard drifted across the clearfell area.
 
As we returned back to the junction of the path leading east we had a brief flyover of several crossbills a pair and a single, unfortunately each one coincided with a vehicle passing on the busy track and no recordings were possible!. Heading east we found another pair of Crested Tits amongst a small tit flock. As we met the main Loch Morlich circuit path we heard crossbills nearby with a male singing loudly from pines nearby. As we got closer the singing reduced in volume and we discovered a female feeding quietly in the canopy with an orange male nearby. They fed for several minutes eventually showing well in the pines in front of us, the male as well as singing gave several bursts of flight calls from the tree before they flew a short distance. These calls were analysed and came out as N20 Scottish Crossbill calls.
 
We headed back towards the carpark, with distant crossbill calls heard on the track on the return leg and Bullfinches. We then decided to move on to the next location at Allt Mor in Glenmore. Somewhat incredibly on arrival at the carpark two Crossbills flew over immediately, seemingly landing nearby, we scrambled together and went searching eventually finding the male singing from the top of a tree across the road, and professionally photographed by Danny. Before everyone got on it, it flew past giving flight calls, which again looked like Scottish Crossbills on the sonogram but the recording wasn’t good enough due to road noise and it had to be left unidentified.
 
We then completed a loop heading towards An Lochan Uaine before retuning through Glenmore and heading back to the carpark. All very quiet in this area with no crossbills heard at all. On arrival back to the carpark we had food and a chat. After this Adam, Carol and others decided to go and check the top carpark at Cairngorm and had approximately 30 Snow Buntings up there.
 
Peter Stronach

Peter Stronach with parabolic sound dish listening for crossbills with our group (Mary Galloway)

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.
.

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

Highland SOC Bird Race Sunday 15 January 2023
We were pretty lucky with the weather, just getting in ahead of extreme wintry weather. There was a great turn-out of 45 birders in 16 teams spread from Strathspey, Inverness area, Easter Ross, Black Isle, Sutherland, Skye, Rum and Wester Ross.
The day got off to a flying start on Rum where Sean and Ali Morris, Team Rum, keenly went out at 6.30am, before breakfast, to spot Snipe, Woodcock and Jack Snipe by torchlight!
Some other great birds were seen during the day, including Goshawk, White-tailed Eagle, Little Gull, Black-throated and Great Northern Divers.
The winning team, The Increasingly Ragged Robins, of Peter Stronach and Emma, managed to see or hear a remarkable 93 species which is one more than the previous record from 2022. Well done both.
The total birds for the day was 119 SOC Highland Winter Bird Race 2023 Total birds.pdf
The day was concluded over a friendly online get-together where stories were shared and winners announced.
Best Team name – No Sleep, No Scope, No Hope!
Most birds per mile travelled – Team Rum
Best Bird – Black-throated Diver – Team Rum                   
Worst Dip of the Day – Pheasant – The Bearded Tits
A great day out!
Carol Miller

Red-throated Cannonballers (Thomas Plant)                                         Long-tailed Duck (Simeon Ewing)

                                           Watching Brent Geese Fort George (Jon Clarke)

Kilmuir (Neil Bennett)