Trip to Tarbat Ness Saturday 7 October
Around 15 people expressed an interest in attending the trip to Tarbat Ness. As the date got closer it became obvious that the weather was against us with rain and gale force winds forecast all day so it was cancelled.
As an alternative, a shorter visit to the hide at Udale on the same day was offered. It was not worth some people attending who had to travel a distance but in the end a small group of four people attended.
As we arrived there was a short break in the weather that we took advantage of to visit Jemimaville. There were good numbers of Scaups (325), many close inshore as well as Wigeons, Mallards and a flock of Knots. Unfortunately, we did not see any Slavonian Grebes or divers offshore.
As the rain returned we retreated to the bird hide at Udale. On the rising tide we had good views of Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Knot and Dunlin. The highlight was a small flock of Golden Plovers. Mallard, Wigeon and Teal were seen. On the saltmarsh there were Pied Wagtails and Starlings.
There were many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese with the fields around Kirkmichael a mass of grey where they were densely packed. Among them were a few Greylag and Canada Geese but no other species were picked out.
The tides were neaps so the tide did not bring the birds as close to the hide as we had hoped. As the light started to fade we called it a day.
A total of 26 species were seen. Thanks to Alex, Paul and Fiona for coming.
Alister Clunas
Around 15 people expressed an interest in attending the trip to Tarbat Ness. As the date got closer it became obvious that the weather was against us with rain and gale force winds forecast all day so it was cancelled.
As an alternative, a shorter visit to the hide at Udale on the same day was offered. It was not worth some people attending who had to travel a distance but in the end a small group of four people attended.
As we arrived there was a short break in the weather that we took advantage of to visit Jemimaville. There were good numbers of Scaups (325), many close inshore as well as Wigeons, Mallards and a flock of Knots. Unfortunately, we did not see any Slavonian Grebes or divers offshore.
As the rain returned we retreated to the bird hide at Udale. On the rising tide we had good views of Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Knot and Dunlin. The highlight was a small flock of Golden Plovers. Mallard, Wigeon and Teal were seen. On the saltmarsh there were Pied Wagtails and Starlings.
There were many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese with the fields around Kirkmichael a mass of grey where they were densely packed. Among them were a few Greylag and Canada Geese but no other species were picked out.
The tides were neaps so the tide did not bring the birds as close to the hide as we had hoped. As the light started to fade we called it a day.
A total of 26 species were seen. Thanks to Alex, Paul and Fiona for coming.
Alister Clunas
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