Saturday 15 April 2017

Scotland the Brave - Part III

Additionally, we had also recorded among others
Pied Wagtail, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch, House Sparrow, Canada Goose,
Feral Pigeon (if you count such things), Cormorant, Wren, Lapwing, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch,
Coal Tit, Mute Swan, Dunnock, Long-tailed Tit, Song Thrush, Greylag Geese, Moorhen et al.
Our destination on the day was to be the edifice that is
 perched squarely almost at the western end of the southern coastline of the
MORAY FIRTH
in the hope of what might eventually become the likely contender for
Bird of the Trip
 Whatever, the day had started very well with the addition of
HOODED CROW
 to both the Year and Trip List and additionally
COMMON GULL
 YELLOWHAMMER
 a redundant (stacked)
SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE OIL RIG
to be joined in the very near future by the
OIL PRODUCTION PLATFORM BUCHAN ALPHA
where the last 18 years of my 48 were spent prior to retirement!
 Another seemingly destined for some action with a Supply Boat alongside
and a Tanker not far away and small parties of
GOLDEN PLOVER
 were also recorded.
A longish sea watch didn't produce the target bird, a long staying
King Eider
which unfortunately, even after a further visit it didn't show itself
even though it was reported on a number of occasions.
 After a number of 
RED-THROATED DIVER
(mostly in 'summer plumage', in flight and at quite some distance)
 had past the headland we decided to move further east along this ever changing
and interesting coastline ending up at the tiny and not displeasing fishing village of
PORTKNOCKIE
 (familiar as home to some of my old Oil Rig colleagues)
 but more importantly
 with
 Natural Sea Arch
and
 Rocky Shoreline.
 Only a small Seabird Colony here but certainly enough to keep us both
well entertained for quite some time!

 
FULMAR

RAZORBILL
KITTIWAKE
Dave taking it all in!

EIDER
we'll see plenty more of them later.
SHAGs on nest with RAZORBILLs

SHAG
SHAG and RAZORBILL
 

BLACK GUILLEMOT
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