Oh my goodness, what a treat, what a spectacle, what delightful sights and sounds!
Black Grouse (Phil Wilson))
Twelve intrepid members of SOC Highland Branch, including three young birders, gathered at Corrimony Chambered Cairn car park at 5.30am to meet up with the RSPB warden for Corrimony, Alex Flinn, who was to be our guide for the morning. The weather seemed perfect with the almost full moon low in the clear sky and dawn was breaking when we heard our first birds of the new day - Blackbird and Goldcrest. We set off up the hill in three cars to the first lek area where three males were apparent, although two swiftly disappeared leaving one lonesome male. Using the cars as mobile hides we waited about 15 minutes hoping for some further action, but nothing doing and so we moved further on beyond Loch Riabhachain to another traditional lek site. This was more like it. eight male Black Grouse were busily sparring with a partner or two and seemed completely unfazed by our presence. The lyre-shaped white tails were well cocked and spread for display, contrasting with the blackish/purplish gloss of the body feathers and the red comb-like eyebrows. Add to that the bubbling and distinctive singing and we were in for a real treat. What a privilege to witness, and many, many photos were taken. It was fascinating to watch and to speculate on the bird dynamics, especially when a new bird arrived to the lek making a total of 9 males. Other species we saw included Greenshank, Lapwing and Pied Wagtail. No Grey hens were seen at the lek site, although Al & Jenny saw two on the drive out. We probably watched them quietly for the best part of an hour before driving back to the loch to stretch our legs and chat to Alex who was very generous at sharing his knowledge of Black Grouse and of the RSPB Corrimony Reserve. We saw Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Greenshank here before heading back down the hill to the car park. Just short of the car park we had a flock of Fieldfare with a Redwing, and a Kestrel overhead.
Huge thanks to Alex Flinn, RSPB Corrimony Warden for a very special morning.
Nuthatch (Phil Wilson) and walking through the woods (Carol Miller)
Most folk came back to my house for a well-deserved breakfast, and then we drove into Drumnadrochit for a walk in Craigmony Woods to look for Nuthatch. We had singing Blackcap and two Treecreepers before finally hearing the Nuthatch in the oak trees. Everyone heard and had good views of the two birds. Are they a pair?
A most enjoyable outing with a total of 51 birds, and well worth the early morning alarm!
A most enjoyable outing with a total of 51 birds, and well worth the early morning alarm!
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