Sightings – July 2007
24th – 31st July, 2007
(Scotland)
The trip started wet and windy, which was to remain with us throughout this two week trip to Scotland visiting areas such as Loch of Strathbeg, Speyside, Applecross Peninsula, North Skye, Fort William and finally Loch Lomond.
Our first stop was at Mintlaw (24th – 26th), which was nice and handy for an early morning visit to the Loch of Strathbeg. A Common Buzzard and a female Marsh Harrier were seen shortly after arriving, along with at least ten Tree Sparrows. Two Corn Buntings, several Linnets, a Sedge Warbler, a family of Wrens and two Goldfinch were observed en–route to the hide.
Shoveller (2 females), Shelduck (1), Common Terns (50+), Arctic Terns (10+), Ruff (2), Greenshank (2), Redshank (1), Common Snipe (2), Black–tailed Godwit (3) and Oystercatcher (2) were in and around the pools. Common Swift (1), Sand Martin (5+), House Martin (2), Swallow (50+) were also there.
The loch itself held at least seventy Mute Swans (no sign of the summering Whoopers), at least fifty female Goldeneye, thirty Cormorant, ten Pochard, one Tufted Duck, two Great Crested Grebe and a further three Corn Buntings.
Later on the same day (25th), a photography session at Deer Abbey near Mintlaw provided us with the journeys first Ospreys, which showed very well as they drifted over, heading in an easterly direction.
An evening visit to St. Coombes produced Kittiwake (30+), Gannet (10+) and Common Tern (30+). The best find here was a single Long–tailed Skua, which was seen resting briefly on the sea before continueing south.
The next day we travelled to Speyside (26th – 29th). By now, a total of seventy–three different species had been seen
Siskin (3), Spotted Flycatcher (2), Willow Warbler (2) and Chiffchaff (1) were seen with a mixed flock of tits at Dalraddy. Red Squirrels (3) were also seen here.
Ospreys were seen at three seperate locations. One was seen carrying a fish that it had just caught, presumably from Loch Alvie. One was at Loch Vaa and two were seen at Loch Insh. Common Buzzards were at several locations and a Pergegrine Falcon was seen near Dalraddy. The surprise find where raptors is concerned was a Hobby, which was seen amongst a large group of herundines on the 27th (am).
Mistle Thrush (3), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) and Chaffinch (10+) were seen at Boat Of Garten, with three Red Squirrels.
Crested Tits were seen at three seperate locations, but there was no sign of any Crossbills.
Next was the short trip to Lochcarron (29th – 31st), where we hoped to see Ptarmigan on what the locals call the pass of the cattle. The total now was eighty–three different species.
An early morning visit to the north end of Lochcarron (30th) produced a total of eleven Grey Herons, two Common Buzzard and a very quick glimpse of what could have been the trips first Golden Eagle.
Loch Kishorn was quite, but productive. Greenshank (1), Common Sandpiper (1), Northern Wheatear (5+), Stonechat (1), Meadow Pipit (10+), Goosander (3+) and Eider (10+) were a selection of the birds seen here.
The target bird of Ptarmigan was not found on the pass of the cattle, but there were Raven (3), Golden Plover (1 in full summer plumage) and a single Wheatear on the summit. This journey is definately not for the cautious or the nervous driver, but I believe the journey isn't too bad once you adjust to the height. Pick a fine day, because poor visibility will make finding Ptarmigan very hard (as in our case).
Amongst the more regular birds, Applecross produced Red–throated Diver (3), Black–throated Diver (3), Red–breasted Merganser (10+), Rock Pipit (2), Shag (10+) and Black Guillimot (2).
Trip report continues on the August page.
22nd July, 2007
(Bishops Park)
Another quiet visit to the park produced three Blackcaps (2 male and 1 female), two Common Whitethroats, a Yellowhammer, a Wren and male and female Banded Demoiselle’s.
Butterflies included Large White (1), Small White (3), Green–veigned White (1), Red Admiral (1), Comma (2), Meadow Brown (2) and Small Skipper (2).
22nd July, 2007
(Etherley Moor)
A pair of Greylag Geese flew over heading towards Escomb. Common Swift (1), Swallow (5), House Martin (20+) and Grey Partridge (1 calling) were also in the area.
A pair of Tree Sparrows are once again taking nesting material to their nest box, ‘could this be a third brood’?
15th July, 2007
(Bishops Park)
A very quiet visit to the park this afternoon brought a total of eighteen different species.
A female Blackcap and at least three Common Whitethroats were busy gathering food. Single Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were close–by.
Lesser Black–backed Gull (3), Black–headed Gull (3+), Oystercatcher (2) and Lapwing (6+) were seen near the pond on the new golf course.
14th July, 2007
(Zinc Road & Seaton Snook)
At least eleven Little Terns and twenty Sandwich Terns were on the snook with singles of Common Tern and Arctic Tern. Ringed Plover (10+) and Dunlin (6+) were also there.
A juvenile Cuckoo was seen at the end of Zinc Road. Skylark (3+), Meadow Pipit (2), Stonechat (1 female and 1 juvenile) and at least three Reed Buntings were in the same area.
A pair of Lesser Black–backed Gulls were at Tees Barrage, but there was no sign of the Yellow Legged Gull. There was also no sign of any White–letter Hairstreak Butterflies at a nearby site, probably caused by todays high winds.
During the past week, a male Siskin visited the feeding station on Etherley Moor.
3rd July, 2007
(Wingate)
Arrived just after a heavy rain shower, with a target species of Marbled White butterfly.
At least twenty Common Swift and three Swallows flew over the quarry. A male Common Kestrel, several Jackdaws, a Green Woodpecker and two Robins (including one juvenile) were also in the quarry.
Butterflies included two Marbled White and one Common Blue. There was also good numbers of Ringlet (30+) and Meadow Brown (25+).
1st July, 2007
(Low Barns)
Seven Grey Herons, two Little Grebes and a single Kingfisher were seen on the West Pond. A family of at least three Common Redstarts were between here and the boardwalk.
The river level was fairly high so nothing was to be seen there. The Oystercatchers appear to have succesfully reared two young (on the raft) and the Mute Swans have five cygnets.
Common Swift (10+), Sand Martin (20+), Swallow (2), Common Whitethroat (3), Garden Warbler (2), Chiffchaff (at least 5 heard), Willow Warbler (at least 5 heard, 1 seen), Reed Warbler (1), Sedge Warbler (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Bullfinch (2) and a Stoat were also seen.
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