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!!
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!!
RSS Feed
