Eight of us met in the Tesco car park in Dingwall for our trip along the north side of the Cromarty Firth. Our outings are normally fairly relaxed - ‘lets see what’s about’ - events, but Ruairidh immediately set us the challenge of beating his highest SOC outing list of 56 species.
Kingfisher (Ruairidh Edmonds)
The first leg of our record attempt was a walk along the Peffery in Dingwall, where we were rewarded with very good views of a Kingfisher, which was joined by a second one as it headed down stream. The bird table beside the path just beyond the football ground then yielded another sought-after species – Tree Sparrow. With a big female Sparrowhawk doing a fly past, we were on 21 species when we left Dingwall for Alness Point.
The Point gave us a chance to see our first waders and wildfowl. As well as some close-up views of Bar-tailed Godwit, we added Turnstone, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Curlew. The lagoons held Little Grebe and several duck species, while beyond the shingle ridge there were Slavonian Grebe, Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, Cormorants and a Shag. Five finches flying over turned out to be Crossbills, and we had reached 54 species after only two stops. With Eider and Long-tailed Ducks seen almost immediately when we arrived at Salburn, we’d equalled Ruairidh’s record and with a single female Scaup and a Black-throated Diver we were at 58. so the target was raised to 60.
The Point gave us a chance to see our first waders and wildfowl. As well as some close-up views of Bar-tailed Godwit, we added Turnstone, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Curlew. The lagoons held Little Grebe and several duck species, while beyond the shingle ridge there were Slavonian Grebe, Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, Cormorants and a Shag. Five finches flying over turned out to be Crossbills, and we had reached 54 species after only two stops. With Eider and Long-tailed Ducks seen almost immediately when we arrived at Salburn, we’d equalled Ruairidh’s record and with a single female Scaup and a Black-throated Diver we were at 58. so the target was raised to 60.
Cormorants, Twite and mixed waders (Ruairidh Edmonds)
It was very high tide at The Nigg RSPB hide, but we eventually found Pintail, Lapwing and Dunlin, so we were at 61 and our new target of 70 was looking possible. By the time we reached Balintore harbour, both cars had seen Stonechats and one car had added a Merlin. The high tide meant the Purple Sandpipers (Ruaridh’s 197th species for 2025!) and Ringed Plovers were roosting on the seawall and there were at least 12 Rock Pipits. Three Twites gave excellent close views and Mary picked up a lovely winter plumage Black Guillemot. We eventually managed to positively identify some distant Gannets, and Tony found our only Greenfinch of the day.
When we decided to head back to Dingwall we were on 74. One car picked up Peregrine, Feral Pigeon and Song Thrush on the journey back and a Grey Wagtail flew over the car park as we were saying our farewells, giving a final total of 78 species.
Thanks to everyone for the good company, Carol & Tony for driving, Ruth for keeping the list and Ruairidh for continually raising the target!
Simon Cohen
The Group in Action (Carol Miller)
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