Nethy Bridge to Gruinard Island

Unfortunately our stay at Nethy Bridge was over, so after yet another hearty breakfast we said farewell to David and Jenny Carrott and started our drive north. A quick check at the Spey bridge just outside the village again came to naught, but the sun was shining, a few menacing looking clouds were pushed over by the gentle breeze but the forecaster said, further north more likelihood of rain.

There was nothing else to report right up to the Kessock Bridge, close to Inverness, but a few miles up the road having already seen one Red Kite, we decided to investigate this notice.

A new project feeding station was unmanned today but there was a notice on the window explaining all, so we just had a quiet look around.

Nothing was seen through the wooden viewing screen on the right and even the peanut feeders seemed abandoned? Turning to go, this

Red Kite obligingly flew in and perched in this pine tree,

so we maneuvered the car to best advantage and were well pleased with the view.

Returning to the main road for only a few minutes, another Kite flew above us and started to circle,

at which we found a convenient lay-by to watch this grand air display. We were now on the road to Ullapool, but while the scenery was spectacular there was little by way of birds except for c2 distant Golden Eagles (we did see one yesterday but omitted to enter it in the post) and this

Dipper that was busily feeding young,

with the nest, as often, being under a road bridge.

All we had seen of this smart little bird that far was a distant view while driving yesterday.

We arrived at Ullapool just after midday, me confident that we were going to see both White-winged Gull with no bother at all.

Even from this distance we could see there were none of the larger pelagic fishing boats alongside and it didn't look as if there were many Gulls either.

A scout around the Fish Quay was devoid of the expected Glaucous Gull, while this military group were having difficulty with the engine of one of their 'rigid raiders', there were however plenty of pyrotechnics being loaded so they were on a mission, training I guess!

We did find this rather stunning 'first winter' Great Black-backed Gull,

which is included here by virtue of it beautifully patterned plumage.

Later, this rather hefty Grey Seal entered the harbour

passing quite close to our position. Last time I visited there were c11 Iceland Gulls on the river estuary just north of the town, so surely we couldn't fail there - but we did! There were however a few additions to the 'Trip List' as we saw Ringed Plover, Redshank, Red-breasted Merganser and Wigeon

plus these c2 Hooded Crows. It was now time to try somewhere else, but with nowhere familiar to us we looked at the map to find a narrow track leading to the coast and the village of Rhue.

On the way we found this lone Greylag Goose on a small tarn and at the top of the hill managed to find a single

Iceland Gull, via the telescope, on the shore-line below (nearest Gull right of picture).

The Rhue Lighthouse was a 'tick' for me and I guess the Liftons (fellow lighthouse collector) will be suitably 'gripped'!

As we scanned Loch Broom in hope of a Black Guillemot, we spotted a very distant Great Skua which was followed towards the open sea by what we are claiming to be an Arctic Skua. We would welcome any comments on this very poor but distant photo please. It was now time to drive the long U retracing our track south, then cutting back to the north and along the shore of Little Loch Broom and to view Gruinard Island. An island with no access to humans as it was used in the late 40's and 50's for the study of the deadly Anthrax, since when the White-tailed Sea-Eagle has found it to be a sanctuary. There are said to be 6 pairs in the area now, but we didn't see any of the 12.

What we did see were a few Common Buzzards

this one flushed from a roadside telegraph pole, while down at the Slipway at

Badcaul village, some of the isolated crofters from across the loch were collecting stores to transport home by small boat.

Seals too were numerous here, but identification of this one is still in doubt. The nostril / face pattern looks good for Grey Seal,

but the 'short snout' gives the impression of Common Seal - more help please.

Off the island the Mine Countermeasures Vessel HMS Ramsey looked to be conducting some sort of exercise, while

this Black-throated Diver, one of a dozen in Gruinard Bay, had caught itself a tasty snack. During this time I had sighted a Black Guillemot at a fair distance and diving perpetually, Dave unfortunately never got on to it.

Tonight we are staying in Laide a 10 minute drive from the White-tailed Eagle watch-point, where we will be bright and early tomorrow.

The Trip List now stands at = 76 My GB Year List climbs to = 215

Dedicated to Angus At The Nethy Bridge Hotel

Firstly, we have decide to dedicate this post to Angus at the Nethy Bridge Hotel as both nights we have been in there he has given us such a warm welcome. Last night he was there as a customer, but was happy to show us around particularly the snooker room as I have played a frame or two there in years gone by. This evening he was pulling the pints but the conversation still remained interesting. Thanks a Lot Angus!

Secondly, there were three omissions from yesterdays post with no pictures of the

Osprey's nest Loch Garten, totally forgotten about in our excitement of seeing a Capercaille. Here the female sits in the nest screaming at the top of her voice hoping to coax the male into going 'fishing'.

He on the other hand seemed quite happy to just sit in the neighbouring tree (complete with CCTV camera) possibly thinking about the nuptials to come (like any self-respecting male?). Also from yesterday I omitted to add Scottish Crossbill to the list, and finally there was no totals, which will be the same tonight as 'The Scribe', Dave has gone to bed. So, I hope to rectify that tomorrow.

After the prolonged effort to secure a sighting of Crested Tit yesterday, we decided to stake out the single bird that has been very occasionally visiting the feeder at Loch Garten. Putting breakfast on 'hold' we returned to the Gate House where I managed to talk my way in, on yesterday's ticket, to take the photos above and luckily saw another male Capercaille feeding in a Scottish Pine tree. Soon, several of the more common birds started on the peanuts including Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, while

Chaffinch were plentiful,

as were Great Tit, but we didn't have to wait too long for the prize of the morning to show up.

This fantastic Crested Tit lingered no more that 10 seconds, grabbed some nut and was gone. A 'lifer' for Dave and a most welcome Year Tick for me, doubt there will be one of those at The Bill! On our way back to the B & B there was time to get this shot of

a pair of Goldeneye on a very choppy Loch Garten, followed by eggs and bacon all round. At least our morning was earmarked to search for Ptarmigan and so with stomachs full we headed, via

the Rothiemurchus Forest to the Ski Centre at Cairn Gorm.

There, our plan was to climb the North Corrie, a subsidiary mountain to Cairn Gorm if you like, but as we left the car 2 things befell us. Firstly, after a bright and sunny start to the day with little wind and a decent temperature, the rain started. Secondly, and due to bad timing we found we were to be proceeded up the mountain by what we thought were a group of walkers. Not ideal if your trying to stalk birds, but we all have a right to be there,

and our destination, shrouded in mist, lay ahead.

Crossing the small burn we noticed some snow was still quite low down the slopes which gave us some encouragement of a quick find. Ptarmigan cannot feed above the snow line, so the further it lies down the mountain, the near the birds should be to us!

Dave was soon at it, scanning every boulder for his next 'lifer'

while less than a quarter of the way up I thought it an ideal moment for a rest and take in the scenery.

In the far distance was the sheer cliff which is the boundary between the 2 mountains, but much closer to us was

the large group that had preceded us up the hill. They are it turns out students from Dundee University carrying our survey work, but it was unfortunate that at this point they had a twisted ankle to sort out. They were all very friendly and most polite, and hopefully reading this, so Best Wishes to you all and hope your friend is recovered.

At about this point we started to hear 'calling' birds (which was my 'Year Tick secured) but not only did Dave need to 'see it' as a 'Lifer'

he was also having trouble pulling himself out of a Snow Hole. We didn't see any Ptarmigan, the first time I've dipped at this site, but there you go so we

returned to the car

and left a little 'sheepishly' to decide on our next move. To come all this way and miss such a bird was not to be given over lightly, and I was quite happy to drive the 100+ miles round trip to try our hand at Glen Shee. There follows a panorama from the top of the mountain, which overlooks in part the Highlands and the Cairngorms.

There we found about half a dozen Mountain or Blue Hare and also had close encounters with more

Red Grouse with both the male and

the female showing both legs and feet which is usually very difficult given the height of the Heather.

This was the best image we could get of a 'pair' together.

There was time to take a look at the Ski Resort many feet below, noting our hire car to the left of the middle building, before making our decent. The weather up top had been quite a different kettle of fish, particularly the wind which was blowing a full gale force 9, and had an edge like a razor blade - Buurrrrrrrr! In addition, and disappointingly, there was not a hint of a Ptarmigan either, but continuing down the gigantic valley of Glen Shee, Dave soon picked up on a small herd of grazing

Red Deer with this

mini Monarch of the Glen certainly the master of all he surveyed.

This croft some miles on and about 5 miles from Breamar has a whole story of it's own to tell which I'll hopefully get back to telling as time allows. For now surfice to say that in 1963 I, as a young sailor, spent many a pleasant night both in the dwelling and in the town close by.

The Manor House at Cockbridge, lies just a few miles before the Bridge of Brown, which is something of a 'built up' area hereabouts. Consisting of a house, a shop, a tea room and a B&B they are all part of the same building, which 'blink' and you miss it. Just the other side of here, and getting up a nice turn of speed, Dave suddenly shouts "Lady Amhurst" and I pull to a halt. A quick description from him tells me he has just seen a Pheasant of that name, but I thought 'highly unlikely'? I knew it was too good to be true (and wouldn't have counted on any list anyway) but a short search revealed it was ONLY a

Reeve's Pheasant anyway - wot!

Here, miles away from any habitation, there strutting through the Heather is one of the most magnificent birds ever, and we got to see it. Doubtless an escapee from somewhere, but what a way to end another fabulous day!