The forecast for rain and wind was not ideal but six of us were keen, and the weather proved better than expected. It was a trip via cemeteries and a memorial stone in the main. Meeting at Kiltearn church, near Evanton, we wandered round the churchyard and old yew trees. No Hawfinches were seen but we had good views of Tree Sparrow, and a Song Thrush to start our list. A Wren was in full song as was a Dunnock. We wandered along the shore and Sue Seright caught sight of a bird perched on the trees at the edge of the cemetery. Scopes and camera up and all had fabulous views of a perched Hawfinch then joined by five others.! What a photo Philip Wilson got! We continued over the bridge and along the sea edge – waders, gulls, Eiders and Red-breasted Mergansers - to the pool. A Yellowhammer gave out a feeble spring song. (more Philadelphia than Danish Blue?) Stonechat and Reed Bunting put in an appearance although the Kingfisher had flown upstream (seen by some locals). A brief spell of rain and a strong wind had us returning to the shelter of the river which we followed upstream notching up woodland birds. A skein of Pink-footed Geese noisily flew over.
Hawfinch and Song Thrush (Philip Wilson)
After a late coffee break it was off to another cemetery carpark – this time Fodderty. We had a brief walk down a quiet lane to a hidden stream area. Lots of possibilities there, but all was relatively quiet. On to Loch Kinellan and the Korean memorial stone carpark. Lunch on the seat overlooking the loch gave us Tufted Duck, a pair of Mute Swans, Coots, Moorhen but no grebes – little or Slavonian. Some of the party then departed but three of us went to Ferrypoint, Dingwall. We sat in the car whilst a ferocious rainstorm lashed at the river mouth. But the sun came out in a spectacular fashion vividly lighting up the river, the lichened trees and our single teal of the day. The mud was alive with large flocks of Dunlins, Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Shelducks. 56 species notched up.
Dingwall River (Mary Galloway)
Mary Galloway
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