A late decision was made to meet at Udale at 0930 instead of North Kessock, due to tides and possibly rain. It was a good decision as the tide was already rising and birds gradually being pushed up as we arrived. With eight in the party there were plenty of eyes to spot species of duck, waders, gulls and geese. Lapwing, oystercatcher, godwit (both species), knot, redshank, dunlin, shelduck, wigeon, teal and mallard all took flight but a raptor could not be spotted. A noted absence was grey heron although this was offset by a little egret flying in. A hybrid American wigeon was spotted. A single whitefront was grazing with pinkfeet in a field of cattle, and a lone and very distant barnacle was seen. The carpark was soon overflowing as we were joined by vehicles and bird watchers from the Grant Arms Hotel led by John Poyner. We moved on to Ivy Cottage, Jemimaville carpark for a coffee stop whilst viewing good numbers of scaup, a few eider, a couple of long-tailed duck and slav grebes; and Alex spotted an elusive red-throated diver. We returned towards Rosemarkie stopping briefly in search of finches but the fierce wind had frightened them off. Alex rejoined us with tales of the diver giving him excellent views!
We then visited the land of Arabella Croft, Hill of Fortrose to pick up a good flock of mixed siskins and goldfinches. Three species of tits were on the fat balls and a walk in the woodland turned up goldcrest, robin, treecreeper, redpoll with redwing and blackbirds gobbling up rowan berries.. A jay and bullfinch were heard and whilst we ate lunch two red kite flew over.
We then moved on to a very windy and damp Chanonry Point where gannets, shag, cormorant, and guillemot were added to our tally. Finally we reached Avoch seafront after a detour via country lanes as the road was blocked. I later learned this was a fallen tree. The light was falling but, at last, we found a grey heron and on the road home a white pheasant with a female brown one were noted.
Notable ‘misses’ turnstone, collared dove, starling, linnet, red-breasted merganser.
Total number of species: 67
Mary Galloway
We then visited the land of Arabella Croft, Hill of Fortrose to pick up a good flock of mixed siskins and goldfinches. Three species of tits were on the fat balls and a walk in the woodland turned up goldcrest, robin, treecreeper, redpoll with redwing and blackbirds gobbling up rowan berries.. A jay and bullfinch were heard and whilst we ate lunch two red kite flew over.
We then moved on to a very windy and damp Chanonry Point where gannets, shag, cormorant, and guillemot were added to our tally. Finally we reached Avoch seafront after a detour via country lanes as the road was blocked. I later learned this was a fallen tree. The light was falling but, at last, we found a grey heron and on the road home a white pheasant with a female brown one were noted.
Notable ‘misses’ turnstone, collared dove, starling, linnet, red-breasted merganser.
Total number of species: 67
Mary Galloway
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