At the end of the day the cry went up ‘No heron!’. But our group of nine notched up 71 species including several rarities! Starting at Nairn, a very distant King Eider was located plus three Purple Sandpipers on the rocks that were then disturbed by dog walkers. At Burghead a close-in Great Northern Diver was identified, a few Common Scoters plus the usual Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, Guillemots and a single Gannet.
A couple of birders from Grant Arms Hotel showed us their mobile phone with a Birdtrack picture of a Surf Scoter – where was Roseisle they asked? Needless to say we back-tracked and had good views of the said Surf Scoter and several Velvets. Onto the Elgin-Lossie road – a quick pull-in to view three Snow Geese with Pinks. The flock was shortly spooked by walkers but we all had excellent views of flying Snow Geese before they disappeared towards Loch Spynie. How lucky that we arrived when we did!
At Lossie East Beach the tide was very high but it was an ideal place for a sunny lunch whilst scoping the gulls – one of which was a Lesser Black-backed. Onto Spey Bay where Shelduck, Mute Swan and Goosanders were added to our list plus a very welcome open toilet at the visitor centre.
Next stop – a well hidden, small flooded gravel pit with Moorhen, Coot, Goosander, Little Grebe, Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye whilst in the surrounding trees Long-tailed and Great Tit, Siskin and Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Finally, to Loch Oire to complete the day with a handsome Ring-necked Duck. It was then homeward … and still no heron!
At Lossie East Beach the tide was very high but it was an ideal place for a sunny lunch whilst scoping the gulls – one of which was a Lesser Black-backed. Onto Spey Bay where Shelduck, Mute Swan and Goosanders were added to our list plus a very welcome open toilet at the visitor centre.
Next stop – a well hidden, small flooded gravel pit with Moorhen, Coot, Goosander, Little Grebe, Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye whilst in the surrounding trees Long-tailed and Great Tit, Siskin and Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Finally, to Loch Oire to complete the day with a handsome Ring-necked Duck. It was then homeward … and still no heron!
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