SAt the end of the day the cry went up ‘No heron!’.    But our group of nine notched up 71 species including several rarities!  Starting at Nairn, a very distant King Eider was located plus three Purple Sandpipers on the rocks that were then disturbed by dog walkers.  At Burghead a close-in Great Northern Diver was identified, a few Common Scoters plus the usual Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, Guillemots and a single Gannet.

​A couple of birders from Grant Arms Hotel showed us their mobile phone with a Birdtrack picture of a Surf Scoter – where was Roseisle they asked?  Needless to say we back-tracked and had good views of the said Surf Scoter and several Velvets.  Onto the Elgin-Lossie road – a quick pull-in to view three Snow Geese with Pinks.  The flock was shortly spooked by walkers but we all had excellent views of flying Snow Geese before they disappeared towards Loch Spynie.  How lucky that we arrived when we did!
At Lossie East Beach the tide was very high but it was an ideal place for a sunny lunch whilst scoping the gulls – one of which was a Lesser Black-backed.  Onto Spey Bay where Shelduck, Mute Swan and Goosanders were added to our list plus a very welcome open toilet at the visitor centre.
Next stop – a well hidden, small flooded gravel pit with Moorhen, Coot, Goosander, Little Grebe, Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye whilst in the surrounding trees Long-tailed and Great Tit, Siskin and Goldfinch and Greenfinch.  Finally, to Loch Oire to complete the day with a handsome Ring-necked Duck.  It was then homeward … and still no heron!

 

This week's theme of appalling weather and associated lack of birds continued with this ramble from Croy, past Holme Rose, along the River Nairn and back adjacent to Kilravock Castle. The more sensible folk had seen the forecast and decided to give it a miss but for the four folk and dog whose sanity had taken a leave of absence we met in a blustery and icy car park at 0930 and unsurprisingly wanted to get moving as soon as possible just to keep warm!

With heads down we battled into the oncoming gale for the first kilometre or so but on dropping down towards the river we were pleased to find it a little more sheltered. We stopped only to admire a pair of Goldcrests busy flitting about, a fly over  Crossbill and to scan a flock of Herring Gulls. Along the river a Treecreeper put in a brief appearance working up some adjacent trees. Amazingly not a single Dipper could be found although the high water levels had probably something to do with this with many of the rocks now submerged. We did however stop to admire a huge badger set which was intersected at one stage by the path.

Just as we approached Holme Bridge two ducks flew off the river ahead of us and away downstream never to be seen again despite the subsequent search. It may have been a brief view for us all but it was enough to confirm them as a pair of Mandarins. Also here a small flock of Redwings were enjoyed clinging on tightly in the tree tops.
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On the way back the rain began to intensify and we all picked up the pace in order to rush back to some shelter and dry off. Despite the atrocious weather and lack of birds a good time was had by all and as is often the case it was the good company which was the highlight of the day. 

Jonathan Clarke

Waiting for good Weather in Strathspey    
 
Given the dire weather forecast, it was not surprising that only seven of the ten on the original attendance list made their way to the Loch Garten reserve for 9 o’clock, to be led by Pete Gordon, a last-minute substitute for John Poyner. Amazingly, the carpark was almost an oasis of slightly brighter skies and only light, intermittent showers. Pete made several valiant attempts to get a sighting of Crested Tits. They were heard at several places but always moving into the distance. Crossbills were less occasionally heard but too flighty to get a focus on. Within the woods the air was calm, but the exposed loch-sides were very inhospitable and the only birds seen at Loch Mallachie were two hardy Lesser Redpolls, pecking on the ground between the thrashing bushes. Back at the reserve, among the tits and Chaffinches, a solitary Treecreeper was a nice sighting. All the time, the light rain persisted, gradually dampening the bodies and spirits, so through the morning, some of the party, in ones and twos, jumped ship.

​By 11 o’clock the rain was in full flow, with regular, sizeable puddles on the road along to Coylumbridge and Loch Morlich, where lunch was had, peering through the lashing rain and mists on the far side of the loch to try to count the Goldeneyes bobbing in the waves. Eventually, just as the last two of the  party were setting off after finishing lunch, the blue skies arrived, so they treated themselves to a 20 minute survey of the Aviemore rubbish dump. Assorted corvids and gulls were present, but none with white wings. And that was the sunny weather interlude, as the driving rain, and sleet, quickly recommenced. To summarise, lots of birds were seen, Coal Tits and Chaffinches at the reserve, Mallards at Loch Morlich and Herring Gulls at the dump, but few species, although 21 was a better total than could be expected in the circumstances.
 
Alex Joss

  

Sadly the star of the show arrived before the group!  We planned to meet at 9.15 but around 9 am  a White-tailed Eagle flew east over Udale Bay heading towards Cromarty! I could see  that something was disturbing the waders and gulls and thought it must be a marauding peregrine, little did I suspect it would be a White-tailed Eagle. When the group arrived they were suitably sceptical of my sighting.
 
We started at Udale Bay looking though the waders and gulls. A sharp shower meant we had to shelter in the hide for a short time. The usual suspects were seen on the bay: curlew, lapwing, redshank, ringed plover, dunlin and knot as well mallard, wigeon, teal and shelduck but nothing untoward. We then moved along to the car park east of Jemimaville, where we saw scaup, long-tailed duck, a single Slavonian grebe and a single red-throated diver.
 
In the fields next to Kirkmichael we had a flock of pink-footed geese together with two barnacle geese. Walking down the hedge lined road towards Balblair we had flocks of yellowhammers and linnets as well a single brambling with chaffinches near the houses.
 
At the point at Balblair we had cormorant, a guillemot offshore and a  great northern diver flying into the firth.
 
On our way home we stopped at Rosemarkie where we had an astonishing 39 light-bellied Brent geese and a grey wagtail.
 
A very enjoyable outing with great company.
 
Number of species seen: 64
Number of observers: 6
 
Alister Clunas

​The annual SOC Highland Birdrace happened on Saturday 15th January 2022. 15 teams took part this year and all 43 birders had a good day out in various parts of Highland ranging from Badenoch & Strathspey, Inverness area, Easter Ross, the Black Isle, Sutherland and Wester Ross, including the Isle of Rum and even an enterprising team on the Calmac ferry crossing from Mallaig to Eigg. The weather was fairly kind although the light did seem to disappear quickly in the afternoon.

​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 great birds were seen, including a Ring-necked Duck at Loch Kinellan. Photo Oscar Puls

 Green-winged Teal at Tain Links (left) and Mandarin Duck at Garve  (right) (Oscar Puls)

Team Guttersnipe at Insh Marshes Lookout.

Lords of the Wings, the winning team of young birders Mathew Broadbent and Oscar Puls, saw or heard an impressive 92 species during the race, which beat the previous 2018 total of 86 species. The total birds for the day was 127 which again beats the 2018 total of 116.         SOC Highland Winter Bird Race 2022 Total birds.docx
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As the light faded, oil rigs in the Cromarty Firth lit up spectacularly.
Sue Sykes

The day was concluded over a friendly online get-together where stories were shared and winners announced.
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Best Team name – The Bearded Tits
Most birds per mile travelled – Team Rum
Best Bird – Jack Snipe – Team Rum                  
Worst Dip of the Day – Great Tit – The Loch Long Loons
A great day out!
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Carol Miller

Not exactly a Beginners’ Walk – more a walk for those who wanted to learn more about the calls, the jizz of commoner birds and glean some tips to make them easier to recognise as they fly off into the distance.


The walk began with excellent close views of five roe deer grazing near Broomhill Station and very quickly we were picking up our first birds – several greenfinches, then a family of house sparrows, a reed bunting and a distant yellow hammer. On a bit and there was a splendid male yellowhammer in full view with a female nearby for useful comparison. A common buzzard was overhead and we picked out some distant greylag geese as well as a pheasant or three, then, whizz, a small male sparrowhawk low down over our path.

There were coal tits a plenty in the pines but no goldcrests today, so on to the end of the first stretch of the Speyside Way. We walked up past the farm where, sure enough and right on cue was a flock of some 200 finches nearly all of which were brambling – a first for one of us and we did get some really good views. By now we were very cold indeed but had to stay put as another, very mobile, flock came into view swirling around over the field and into the trees – the linnets. Our patience was rewarded when they swirled again and came down in the seed heads and, yes, there were a few twites with them.

 
Café and hot soup next – very welcome as we thawed out before going on into Dell Woods where blue, great and coal tits were helpfully feeding together giving us a chance to look at the size differential. The female woodpecker obligingly came down to look at us but it seemed that we weren’t to get lucky with a crested tit – another lifer for one of us. However, again, patience is the name of the game and, before dusk fell, there he was in all his subtle crested glory, busy with the peanuts before going to roost for the night.  
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Because there were only the three of us we had some interesting conversation too, ranging from reintroductions and rewilding - to species of snakes and fungi – to the iniquities of some drivers and so-called wild campers! Only 27 species but a thoroughly good day! Why don't you join us and improve your birding skills in friendly company?

Sue Sykes

A late decision was made to meet at Udale at 0930  instead of North Kessock, due to tides and possibly rain.  It was a good decision as the tide was already rising and birds gradually being pushed up as we arrived. With eight in the party there were plenty of eyes to spot species of duck, waders, gulls and geese.  Lapwing, oystercatcher, godwit (both species), knot, redshank, dunlin, shelduck, wigeon, teal and mallard all took flight but a raptor could not be spotted.   A noted absence was  grey heron although this was offset by a little egret flying in. A hybrid American wigeon was spotted.  A single whitefront was grazing with pinkfeet in a field of cattle, and a lone and very distant barnacle was seen.   The carpark was soon overflowing as we were joined by vehicles and bird watchers from the Grant Arms Hotel led by John Poyner.  We moved on to Ivy Cottage, Jemimaville carpark for a coffee stop whilst viewing good numbers of scaup, a few eider,  a couple of long-tailed duck and slav grebes; and Alex spotted an elusive red-throated diver.  We returned towards Rosemarkie stopping briefly in search of finches but the fierce wind had frightened them off.  Alex rejoined us with tales of the diver giving him excellent views!

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

​With 13 attending the trip and the weather decidedly mixed and cold, the omens weren’t exactly favourable, but we all made the Arabella rendezvous in good spirits, Sparrowhawk already seen, though no swans or geese in the fields.  The first arranged stop was at Nigg ferry where the waters were very choppy and some of the hoped-for grebes and sea duck were distinctly missing. However, Red Kites, Buzzards and a Raven all hung up above the cliffs in the wind and Razorbill and a few Gannets on the water were claimed quickly.  A nearby walk to the beach for passerines produced very little, so it was off to the RSPB Nigg Bay hide as high tide approached.  It fairly belted down, but we were soon ensconced in the hide and there were clearly many hundreds and eventually thousands of birds moving about and showing well, though the light was often very dull.  Pintail – especially the males – were showing well and two groups of Brent Geese, totalling 52, took the eye. Waders were to the fore, passing in substantial groups, Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlews, Oystercatchers and eventually Dunlin allowing good views.  Given the very high tide and the suitable habitat it was surprising that Teal and Snipe were absent.  Quite a few of our number said that this had been their best-ever visit to the site, so we left for Balintore well satisfied.  There, from the large car park, we looked out to a very active watery scene and little was easy to nail down, but a Long-tailed Duck was at distance and two Snow Buntings passed in front, with Rock and Meadow Pipits also present.  No sign of Purple Sandpipers, but Angus’s recommendation of the harbour being a likely spot was taken up and we soon were enjoying superb views of the Purps being drenched by spray lashed up over the harbour wall, plus good numbers of Turnstones and a few Ringed Plovers.  Dave’s spotting of a very late Arctic Tern at the same place was perhaps the most remarkable bird of the day, it drifting off after 5 minutes.  

​It was time to head for Portmahomack and in the front car park we saw some 7 Red-throated Divers, but little else.  Lunch was uppermost on folk’s minds, so we drove to Tarbat Ness for a late one.   Nothing much doing from the car park, but the wind-blown walk to the point gave us Yellowhammers, a showy Stonechat and a very fine Merlin rounded the lighthouse.  We gave the sea a 30-minute watch and had our only Black Guillemot, juvenile Gannets and little else.  A walk back, past the plantation and down to the bothy, didn’t really get us much more bar Linnets as the wind was up at its highest, but it had been dry far more than it seemed likely to be.  Chat back at the cars revealed that most of us had unknowingly driven past 200+ Whooper Swans before Portmahomack, so we ended the day with a slow drive back to the relevant fields behind Sue and Hugh and, for the majority, the last of our 57 species for the day.

The uncertainty over on whether this outing would actually happen – with the leader no longer stranded on Fair Isle! – ten SOC members met at Findhorn Bay LNR car park. After a quick exchange of news with Gordon McMullins and Richard Somers-Cocks, dedicated patch-workers of the Bay who had already seen some species of note out on the flats, the party drove to the “Back” (i.e. Moray Firth) Shore to look at the sea. Unfortunately, with a fierce, cold, north wind and high seas, this proved to be an eye-watering experience. Some distant Gannets, a few Common Eiders and one or two Common Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks flew past but we quickly resolved to move back to the Bay and conditions slightly more conducive to bird-watching.
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By this time the tide had come further in and some, at least, of the birds were recognisably close from our vantage point. Small numbers of Pink-footed Geese were present although a dawn start would have been necessary to see the thousands which roosted here overnight. As well as Mute Swans some Whooper Swans were identified when they deigned to remove their heads from under their wings – we suspect they had just migrated in from Iceland. Mallards and Wigeons abounded but we were unable to pick out the Shovelers reported earlier or the Pintails which now winter here in big numbers.

​Many waders were too distant for confident identification but Curlews, Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwits were seen clearly and a flock of Golden Plovers was well illuminated by the low sun. A Sparrowhawk was noted by one observer who was looking the other way but as the tide rose birds moved away rather than towards us and we decided to move to the River Findhorn. A large car park, with a height barrier, gives access to a pleasant walk along a wooded riverside where we were out of the cold wind. On this occasion few birds were to be seen or heard here – in April/May it is full of singing Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps – and we admired (?) the forests of Japanese Knotweed and occasional, menacing stems of Giant Hogweed. An orange blob on a rotten log turned out to be a Slime Mould called Tubifera ferruginosa (literally – “iron-coloured tube-bearer”) – who says the SOC have eyes only for birds?
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Eventually we emerged from the trees and crossed a dry ditch where we were warned to be careful on future visits to be aware of the tide. A Goosander flew upstream and landed on the river but we dared not advance across the saltmarsh to the advancing tide-line – just as well as, by the time we regained the “dry” ditch it was already infilling rapidly and one member had to be piggy-backed across by a welly-wearer! A lesson well learnt for future visits to this site. 

On Sunday 10th October Dean MacAskill led a group of 12 SOC members to some of the hot birding spots on the east coast of Sutherland, beginning with a walk along the beautiful sands of Dornoch Beach towards Dornoch Point. We had several species of note including 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Tern, a growing flock of Linnet, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Divers and 2 Reed-bunting. The two highlights, however, were the enormous number of juvenile Gannets just off-shore, and 1 adult, dark phase Pomarine Skua which was harassing the gulls for a free lunch.
  

​Our final stop was Brora where we battled with the increasing wind to see a small, but delightful, flock of 8 Little Gulls bouncing about over the choppy waters.
Our count for the day was about 43 species. It was lovely to welcome 2 new birders to our outings – Fiona and Caroline. We all owe a huge thank you to Dean for generously sharing his local patch with us, and finding some very special birds for us to see.