To start this off, I’ll apologise for the lack of images and the like. I’m using the wordpress application for the iPhone, so can’t really import pictures from my camera or add links
I’m on holiday in Caithness for a week. I arrived yesterday, just after 4pm, so there wasn’t really much of an opportunity to go exploring.
However, I got up at dawn this morning, with a view to doing some exploring nearby (I’m staying at far north cottage, near Dunnet Head).
The first port of call was Dunnet Head itself. Since this morning was a bit of a miserable affair, there wasn’t really much point in sea watching. However, I did manage to see a few interesting birds there. I saw:
Raven
Redwing
Blackbird
Wren
Starling
Stonechat
Rock dove
Hooded crow
Not too bad, really. Ok, not a huge list, but some interesting birds all the same. Now, there’s a little loch just off dunnet head, which I noticed a few birds in. Quickly parked the car, and out I got. Then, to my surprise, and joy, I found something I’ve never seen before!
As well as Goldeneye, there was a single female Long-Tailed Duck!!
Having never seen one before, and having forgotten my field guide, I rushed back to the cottage, got the book and rushed back. Luckily the bird was still there!
The next stop was St John’s Loch, which has recently been undergoing some improvement work. The pools have been re-dug with a view to improving habitat fir breeding birds. At the same time, they’re in the process of erecting a predator-proof fence around the pools.
As a result, the walk to the hide was a bit of a challenge. Muddy is an understatement!
Sadly, as a result, there wasn’t much to be seen in the pools. Also, I’d left my scope in the car, so the vast majority of the birds on the loch were unidentifiable. I did manage to see Goldeneye, Whooper Swan, Mute Swan, Chaffinch, Jackdaw and Buzzard. I plan on returning with the scope to get better views later in the week.
Next stop was Loch of Mey. And I’m not very good at learning from my mistakes… I left the scope in the car again!
I did, however, manage to add Wigeon, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Redshank, Lapwing and Greenland White-fronted Goose (another new species for me!) to the list.
All in all, not a bad day, and a good opportunity to find some sites to visit during the week.
I’ll be updating the blog on my adventures from my phone as I go, and will add photos and links upon my return at the weekend.
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