As Ben and I headed north from Dingwall in thick mist it looked like the trip to Golspie could be a complete disaster. Although we hoped it would be just haar in the inner firths it persisted past Tain and into Sutherland before, miraculously, it cleared as we headed down towards the Mound.
We rendezvoused with most of the rest of the party at the Fountain car park in Golspie, just as the Coffee Bothy opened, and while we waited for the Inverness car to arrive we managed to get some refreshments. A Sparrowhawk overhead triggered a discussion about the differences between it and a Goshawk. A walk along the Golspie seafront to the Big Burn woods produced a small flock of Fieldfares overhead and a good selection of woodland and garden birds.
We rendezvoused with most of the rest of the party at the Fountain car park in Golspie, just as the Coffee Bothy opened, and while we waited for the Inverness car to arrive we managed to get some refreshments. A Sparrowhawk overhead triggered a discussion about the differences between it and a Goshawk. A walk along the Golspie seafront to the Big Burn woods produced a small flock of Fieldfares overhead and a good selection of woodland and garden birds.
Strangers on the shore (Mary Galloway)
Next stop was Brora south beach car park. The rocks at the river moth provided good views of Turnstones and Purple Sandpipers. Scanning out to sea added Slavonian Grebe, Red-throated Diver and a winter-plumage Black Guillemot to the list. Despite much searching we were giving up hope of seeing Little Gulls, until Sue picked out an adult to the north of the river mouth. Another adult and a juvenile were then spotted off the car park and everyone had great views.
The final stop was Little Ferry at the mouth of Loch Fleet. Our target was the Bonaparte’s Gull that had been seen regularly there for the last few weeks. Although every Black-headed Gull was checked very carefully we didn’t manage to pin down the American visitor. However, we did get some excellent views of Eider ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers before calling it a day as the sun was setting.
It was a good turn out with 12 members, including three who came all the way from Speyside. The final tally was 54 species, with the Inverness crew making it to 57 with a short stop at the Mound on their way to Golspie.
Simon Cohen
The final stop was Little Ferry at the mouth of Loch Fleet. Our target was the Bonaparte’s Gull that had been seen regularly there for the last few weeks. Although every Black-headed Gull was checked very carefully we didn’t manage to pin down the American visitor. However, we did get some excellent views of Eider ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers before calling it a day as the sun was setting.
It was a good turn out with 12 members, including three who came all the way from Speyside. The final tally was 54 species, with the Inverness crew making it to 57 with a short stop at the Mound on their way to Golspie.
Simon Cohen
Hopefuls at Loch Fleet (Mary Galloway)
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