We were lucky to have a dry but chilly day for our observations around this area of Inverness. The water was as high as I’ve ever seen it and very fast flowing. A male Goosander was waiting to be admired just by the fishermen’s car park and it flew up and down the river during our walk around the main island. The female was also spotted. There were plenty of Rooks and Carrion Crows on the deserted playing fields, Wood and Feral Pigeons, Blue, Great and Coal Tits were in the nearby trees bordering the fields. Three Red Kites flew overhead at some point. Our only sight of a busy Dipper was from the path looking into the really fast-flowing water surging through flooded bushes and stones. How it manages to keep its footing I can’t imagine, or perhaps it doesn’t!
Once on the island someone spotted a well-camouflaged Redwing scuffling among dead leaves, a Wren and Blackbirds were also seen.
We then drove the short way to Whin Park. No sign of the Kingfisher but Mallards hoping to be fed! A Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Treecreeper and Buzzard were the only additions here.
Then on to the Merkinch Nature Reserve to find the tide right out so that the exposed shingle, mud and weed provided an excellent viewing area for our scopes. A large number of Curlews were dozing together with Oystercatchers and Dunlins, a perfect spot for lunch!
Walking along the path towards Clachnaharry a little finch flock, full of interest, obligingly perched really close on a hawthorn tree. Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Siskin were among them. The new alterations to the path to allow for pedestrians passing and birding are a huge improvement to the site. Looking down on to the pools, some empty because of the low tide, and some non-tidal ones full, is always of interest. Redshanks, Teals, Wigeons, more Oystercatchers and a Yellowhammer were seen, and just as we were giving up on the resident Kingfisher it flashed past us and sat in full splendour on a very prominent branch beneath us. Joy!
Little Grebes were numerous on the firth side of the path. Not just one or two but several groups of two and one of three if not four! Busy busy, continually diving and resurfacing and lovely to watch. Fieldfares, Dunnock, Treecreeper, Cormorant, Black-headed and Common Gulls were also in evidence.
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Once on the island someone spotted a well-camouflaged Redwing scuffling among dead leaves, a Wren and Blackbirds were also seen.
We then drove the short way to Whin Park. No sign of the Kingfisher but Mallards hoping to be fed! A Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Treecreeper and Buzzard were the only additions here.
Then on to the Merkinch Nature Reserve to find the tide right out so that the exposed shingle, mud and weed provided an excellent viewing area for our scopes. A large number of Curlews were dozing together with Oystercatchers and Dunlins, a perfect spot for lunch!
Walking along the path towards Clachnaharry a little finch flock, full of interest, obligingly perched really close on a hawthorn tree. Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Siskin were among them. The new alterations to the path to allow for pedestrians passing and birding are a huge improvement to the site. Looking down on to the pools, some empty because of the low tide, and some non-tidal ones full, is always of interest. Redshanks, Teals, Wigeons, more Oystercatchers and a Yellowhammer were seen, and just as we were giving up on the resident Kingfisher it flashed past us and sat in full splendour on a very prominent branch beneath us. Joy!
Little Grebes were numerous on the firth side of the path. Not just one or two but several groups of two and one of three if not four! Busy busy, continually diving and resurfacing and lovely to watch. Fieldfares, Dunnock, Treecreeper, Cormorant, Black-headed and Common Gulls were also in evidence.
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Final stop was at Alturlie where Slavonian Grebes, Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers and Pink-footed Geese were visible on the water. Lots of Lapwings were on the field and over on the hidden pools groups of Teals and Mallards were almost hidden by the rushes along the pool margins. Three Magpies were feeding on the adjacent field as a Buzzard sat motionless in a faraway tree. A string of Linnets sitting on a fence gave cause for discussion as to whether they were actually Linnets but no definite conclusion was reached as the light was not brilliant! Excuses? Oh, and a Pheasant from the car on the way back to Burger King!
Very many thanks to Mary Galloway for providing an excellent reason for birding close to home.
64 species.
Freydis
Very many thanks to Mary Galloway for providing an excellent reason for birding close to home.
64 species.
Freydis
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