Only six members, Carol, Caroline, Liz, Sue, Alex and Tony, in two cars, attended this trip to the Ullapool – Achiltibuie area, but they were treated to a day of wonderful, sunny spring weather and breath-taking scenery. Some good birds were also seen in a total of 76 species, plus the migratory European White Wagtail sub-species. For the knowledge of where to locate these species, we are indebted to Ullapool resident, Andy Williams, who at short notice provided detailed notes, and maps, of recommended locations to visit and the species we might hope to find at each one. Most of the places we stopped at for short walks were recommended by Andy.
The meeting place was the garage at Tore and early species recorded on the way through the Black Isle past Garve were Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Swallow and Mute Swan (on Loch Garve), but not Red Kite. The first stop, at the bridge over the Blackwater at the entrance to Strath Vaich was very productive. Among the species noted were, Dipper, Grey Heron, the first Cuckoo of the day, Raven, Kestrel and, perhaps the species of the day, an Osprey which circled around for at least 10 minutes. Moving on to the west end of Loch Droma, a walk over the dam yielded good views of Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-throated Diver and a displaying Golden Eagle.
A very pleasant circular walk was had across the road from the Lael Forest Reserve, walking around the fields of a farm and back along the river. There were good views of some singing warblers, including Blackcap, as well as Tree Pipit, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and 2-3 White Wagtail sub-species. Lunch was partaken overlooking the river mouth on the west side of Ullapool Bay, where the only Wigeon of the day were seen and the first of at least 15 Great Northern Divers. Moving on to Ardmair Point, Eider and Black Guillemot were seen in the bay and, on the point, the first of many Wheatears and the sole Twite.
Driving along the Achiltibuie road, it was shocking to see and still smell the extent of the recently extinguished conflagration on Stac Pollaidh, stretching from the shores of Loch Lurgainn, where a carelessly discarded disposable barbecue was found, to the very summit of the hill. A Sand Martin was spotted near the loch and the only Stonechat of the day wasn’t found until we were returning along the same road. By scanning the bay at Achnahaird, Kittiwake, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill and three Red-throated Divers were added to the list.
The furthest point of our travels, Reiss, was a magic place, with an end-of-the-world feel. The small loch behind the village yielded up to three Red-breasted Mergansers and at least six Shelducks, while around the shores were Lapwings, Rock Pipits, a single Dunlin and two Great Skuas. The return journey was driven with more haste than the outward one, to avoid being too late for fish and chips at Ullapool. Later, a Red Kite was at last spotted while passing over the high part of the Black Isle.
Loch Lurgain looking towards Stac Pollaidh and lunch at Ullapool (Carol Miller)