hi there
I spent last weekend birdwatching in Inverness, As we where tied to a wedding so our bird watching time was limited.
We where lucky to see Owls from the Owl Trust in the centre Inverness City on Saturday morning - an European Eagle Owl and a Long Eared Owl so that was a surprise in itself.
We stayed at a place called Bunchrew House Hotel and it looked over Beauly Firth and there where lots of shore birds and ducks there. Wigeons. Oyster Catchers, Mallard, Black Headed Gulls. Cormorants, Pink Feet and Greylag Geese. It was great to see them on private land.
I was woken up by a Tawny Owl making a hunting call in the middle of the night so that was different. {smile}
We where lucky to see Wigeon, Mallard, 1 Golden eye diving a lot for food, 4 Goosanders, Hooded Crow. Black Headed Gulls. Herring Gulls (Juv) and GBBG's on the River Ness in Inverness City itself between the two small road bridges near the church.
On the outskirts in a Reserve called Merkinch (not the RSPB) we where lucky to come across a few shore birds feeding close to the estuaries of the Caledonian Canal, and the Ness River. Of the species we saw there where Curlews, Tufted Ducks, Golden Eye, Redshank in abundance, Wigeon, Oyster Catchers, 2 unknown Grebes (did not ID them in time) Heron, Common Crows, Cormorants, and others to be seen
It was a fruitful trip and I enjoyed it a lot. I was surprised to see Goosanders in the centre of Inverness, and it was a good find to see for any avid Bird watcher.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Pictures attached to post of Birds seen on the River Ness in Inverness town.
Female Golden Eye
Goosander
Wigeons asleep on the shoreline of River Ness
Merkinch Reserve. Merkinch Industrial Estate, South Kessock
Cormorant
Crows
Crows in Flight against the thermals
Some good birds there.
We only get the occasional winter visit from Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander here in Norfolk so always quite excited to see them, I remember seeing 2 Mergansers in Wells-Next-The-Sea harbour last Christmas Eve (easy to remember as we go for a walk there every Christmas Eve before fish and chips at French's) and they were with a small group of Goldeneye aswell.
We were on Holiday in Northumberland earlier in the year and saw a flock of Goosander just off the beach at Berwick.
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
Blckbird, lovely photographs. Always loved watching Megansers and Goldeneyes diving for food and the gulls hovering above waiting to steal their catch. Ducks were always too quick and wise for the gulls.
Just noticed your time of posting your photos ! Are you a night owl or up with the larks ?
Unknown said: Just noticed your time of posting your photos ! Are you a night owl or up with the larks ?
Goodness! That is early (or late!!)
Lovely selection of birds Blackbird!! Not bad in a weekend with a wedding and all!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Hi Blackbird et al,
I'm a regular to the Inverness area, it's often overlooked in favour of the West Coast but there are some real gems in the area. There is also less rain and consequently fewer midges! RSPB have several reserves nearby, most of them quiet and not very well-known, but very special places. Loch Ruthven is a favourite of mine, last winter the whole loch was frozen solid, it was so beautiful and peaceful, heavenly.
The Moray Firth is one of the best places in Britain for seeing dolphins too - Marjus posted some brilliant photos a while back, check them out!
I always stay at Torguish House, really lovely B&B if it's just for a couple of nights or they've got cute little cottages you can hire for a week. Main reason? Red squirrels in the garden. www.torguish.com
I'm heading North for Hogmanay so will maybe post some photos of the Highland reserves early in the New Year. And I'll see if I can get a good shot of Nessie this time...
LB