The group mustered at Fort George car park at 1030 as the day drew fine and dry albeit with a brisk south westerly wind.
We began by checking the Inverness Firth by looking west from the car park but the low tide and facing into the wind meant other than a few distant Eiders there was little to be seen here.
As a result the group made their way across to the eastern side of the fort to check out the outer Moray Firth. Crossing the lawn a large group of Long-tailed Tits made their presence known by their distinctive chattering call in the adjacent scrub then shortly afterwards they flew over head and dropped down into the fort itself.
In addition, a large flock of Greenfinches also flew over, an unusual sight anywhere these days but particularly along the coast. As we reached the coast a few Turnstones were seen flying past over the sea, some Bar-tailed Godwits were on the adjacent sand feeding. There was little else to be seen on the coast but off-shore there was a greater selection to be found. Several juvenile Gannets were flying about,, groups of Eiders could be seen here and there, a small number of Red-breasted Mergansers, Razorbills and one of Fort George's winter specialties, a couple of Tysties not too far off shore. The regular bottle-nosed dolphins also put in an appearance on a few occasions to our enjoyment and no doubt that of some of the various dolphin watching boats in the area.
Bird of the day then presented as a juvenile White-tailed Eagle came lolloping low along the coast towards us from the east unsurprisingly scattering other birds in all directions as it approached, before reaching us the bird veered off over the range, gained height and escorted by a flock of corvids it was last seen heading west over Ardersier.
We began by checking the Inverness Firth by looking west from the car park but the low tide and facing into the wind meant other than a few distant Eiders there was little to be seen here.
As a result the group made their way across to the eastern side of the fort to check out the outer Moray Firth. Crossing the lawn a large group of Long-tailed Tits made their presence known by their distinctive chattering call in the adjacent scrub then shortly afterwards they flew over head and dropped down into the fort itself.
In addition, a large flock of Greenfinches also flew over, an unusual sight anywhere these days but particularly along the coast. As we reached the coast a few Turnstones were seen flying past over the sea, some Bar-tailed Godwits were on the adjacent sand feeding. There was little else to be seen on the coast but off-shore there was a greater selection to be found. Several juvenile Gannets were flying about,, groups of Eiders could be seen here and there, a small number of Red-breasted Mergansers, Razorbills and one of Fort George's winter specialties, a couple of Tysties not too far off shore. The regular bottle-nosed dolphins also put in an appearance on a few occasions to our enjoyment and no doubt that of some of the various dolphin watching boats in the area.
Bird of the day then presented as a juvenile White-tailed Eagle came lolloping low along the coast towards us from the east unsurprisingly scattering other birds in all directions as it approached, before reaching us the bird veered off over the range, gained height and escorted by a flock of corvids it was last seen heading west over Ardersier.
Juvenile White-tailed Eagle
Realising we were unlikely to better that we called it a day at Fort George and made our way towards the Carse woods where we parked up and were greeted by a Crossbill calling loudly before flying overhead. The group then meandered our way towards the MOD training ground along a somewhat overgrown path managing to lose part of the group en-route. After a brief anxious search the party was reunited and had a look over the New Zealand Pigmyweed covered marsh which proved rather a letdown likely due to the invasive plant making it completely inhospitable for any bird during the late summer and autumn period.
We moved onto the bay now flanked by the large imposing fence to the new port development and beyond that the enormous manmade sand dunes which have been constructed beyond. High tide was still a few hours off but as we approached a few Redshanks departed the bay, a few Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlews and a Pink-footed Goose continued to feed off the spit directly opposite us. The group nestled down into the Marram grass in the hope that the rising tide would bring some more birds of interest closer, alas this didn't happen. However, the afternoon was beautiful with the warm sunshine on the group basking in the sheltered sun trap there were worse places to be sat despite the lack of birds. A few distant seals and dolphins made distant appearances and a Kestrel was seen hunting a few times. Another large group of finches feeding on the manmade slope of the yards dunes was probably the most notable sighting here with again a large number of Greenfinches as well as Linnets and Goldfinches amongst them. After an hour or so we began to wander back, a Bullfinch was heard calling from some nearby scrub and a Reed Bunting was seen in flight over the coastal gorse.
We moved onto the bay now flanked by the large imposing fence to the new port development and beyond that the enormous manmade sand dunes which have been constructed beyond. High tide was still a few hours off but as we approached a few Redshanks departed the bay, a few Bar-tailed Godwits, Curlews and a Pink-footed Goose continued to feed off the spit directly opposite us. The group nestled down into the Marram grass in the hope that the rising tide would bring some more birds of interest closer, alas this didn't happen. However, the afternoon was beautiful with the warm sunshine on the group basking in the sheltered sun trap there were worse places to be sat despite the lack of birds. A few distant seals and dolphins made distant appearances and a Kestrel was seen hunting a few times. Another large group of finches feeding on the manmade slope of the yards dunes was probably the most notable sighting here with again a large number of Greenfinches as well as Linnets and Goldfinches amongst them. After an hour or so we began to wander back, a Bullfinch was heard calling from some nearby scrub and a Reed Bunting was seen in flight over the coastal gorse.
Assessing the Storm Amy damage.
Back in the woods Treecreepers were heard several times but not seen and Crossbills were again located by their call and a few flight views were glimpsed. We took a different route back to avoid the overgrown route we had used earlier. This went really well until we were about to emerge on the road and then we were presented with the aftermath of Storm Amy which had struck a week earlier. Numerous enormous Scots pine trees were down across the path with seemingly no way through. However, the group not wishing to be deterred persevered and thanks to a heroic team effort all members managed to climb through, over and under the fallen boughs and emerge safely on the other side close to the cars and bringing an end to our expedition.
Intrepid explorers emerging more or less unscathed the other side
Despite a general lack of birds it was certainly a memorable day and I suspect most folk slept well that night dreaming of white-tailed eagles and fallen trees!
Jon Clarke
Despite a general lack of birds it was certainly a memorable day and I suspect most folk slept well that night dreaming of white-tailed eagles and fallen trees!
Jon Clarke
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