On a rare foray into “foreign” parts – who needs to leave Highland for birding? – a party of eleven met at Forres Tesco where, fortunately, Simon Cohen had brought his people carrier so we could all travel in two vehicles which helped with difficult parking spaces – thanks Simon.
Pink-footed Geese (Josh Allan)
First stop was at Findhorn Bay, near where the Mosset Burn discharges. As soon as we left the vehicles we realised that 50 or more Pink-footed Geese were very close and somewhat nervous. To our surprise they remained, with a little bit of coming and going, giving marvellous views. We scanned the distant ducks, gulls and waders but disappointingly there was no sign of the wintering Avocet. I had forewarned the party that it was difficult – how can a large, black and white wader hide so well? As a compensation, though, a Little Egret appeared distantly on the saltmarsh, then disappeared into a runnel – and then reappeared - giving everyone clear views and was a lifer for at least one of the party.
| | Little Egret (Josh Allan) |
Next we drove to Burghead, conscious of darkening skies to the north and soon there was rain to add to the cold wind. The hillock at the end of the track gave slight shelter though as we scanned the shoreline and distant waters. Eiders, Goldeneyes. Common Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks and a pair of fly-by Red-breasted Mergansers were soon identified as well as Guillemots, Razorbills, a few Gannets and the odd Kittiwake. At least four Red-throated Divers were picked out and Purple Sandpipers glimpsed. A Rock Pipit rasped and then did a bit of singing but the weather didn’t improve. We walked to the far end of the Maltings, seeking shelter but soon gave that up as a bad job as the rain worsened. Knowing when to retreat is a useful tactic when birding.
Goldeneye (Josh Allan)
A change of plan to take account of the weather saw us make for Spynie Loch RSPB Reserve when, of course, the rain stopped. There is a small hide there which one half of the party visited whilst the remainder birded at the car park’s feeders (we also fed!) Amongst the usual finches and tits we saw a few Yellowhammers, Long-tailed Tits, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Red Squirrel. The hide gave singing Little Grebes, various common ducks, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and a flyover Peregrine and a Crossbill sp was also spotted. The second detachment to the hide added Moorhen.
Red Squirrel (Josh Allan)
Next, we went to Lossiemouth West Beach where we saw a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits but Sanderlings were elusive and only glimpsed by one lucky observer. With a bit of perseverance a fine male Stonechat was admired by all and then we drove to the East Beach. This can be a great place for studying ducks, especially the hundreds of Teals and Wigeons, and vast flocks of gulls. Unfortunately, human disturbance was particularly heavy and birds were being put up constantly and gulls were seeking the peace of the Moray Firth. We heard there had been a second-calendar year Iceland Gull at Balornie Pig Farm so we determined to finish there but failed to find it amongst the hundreds – there are usually thousands – of gulls. A few Lapwings and very distant Linnets completed our day’s tally. I learnt later that an adult Iceland Gull turned up at the estuary after we left but you can’t be everywhere. This, indeed, was the theme for the day – not everyone will see everything, the Leader can only hope that most of the party will see most things, especially the scarcities and I think we succeeded in this venture out of Highland.
Total species count 72 (and a half - Hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow!)
Peter Gordon
Total species count 72 (and a half - Hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow!)
Peter Gordon
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