Scottish Birding in Early Autumn (1) 25th - 29th August 2015

Red Squirrel

Well, not just birding! The opportunity arose for a mini-break based at the Mountview  (Heatherlea) Hotel in Nethy Bridge. The fact that the holiday was two for the price of one was even better! Eight of us met up at the hotel with our guide - Dave, soon to enjoy good food, good company and good birding, plus other wildlife and scenery! The days and the distances travelled were quite long preceded and followed by a 500 mile each way journey to and from home. This post includes the "touristy" images, some wild life and the bird / wildlife list. The opportunity for photography was limited with many species being "scope" ticks, however, later posts will include images of those that were possible!

More to follow!

I think this is Fly Agaric?

Mist over Nethy Bridge

Strathdearn Valley (Often called the Findhorn Valley)

Our Ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway

The "Cat & Fiddle" Bench, Ullapool

Ullapool

Streams in spate after a heavy (& common) squall!

Stornoway

Rainbow near Boat of Garten

"Osprey" at Spey  Bay (at least this one was close and didn't move!)

Sightings in order of observation:

Feral Pigeon; Jackdaw; LBB Gull; Buzzard; Rook; House Martin; Starling; Great Tit; Swallow; Chaffinch; Carrion Crow; Greenfinch; Wood Pigeon; Mistle Thrush; Coal Tit; Robin; Meadow Pipit; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Grey Heron; Blackbird; Song Thrush; House Sparrow; Red Grouse; Pheasant; Merlin; Black Grouse; Goshawk; Swift; Sparrowhawk; Grey Lag Goose; Goldeneye; Dabchick; Herring Gull; Moorhen; Wigeon; Teal; Black Headed Gull; Grey Wagtail; Sand Martin; Collared Dove; Coot; Goldcrest; Crested Tit; Common Crossbill; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Siskin; Oystercatcher; Curlew; Raven; Dipper; Kestrel; Peregrine; Black Throated Diver; Osprey; Cormorant; Red Throated Diver; Gannet; Common Tern; Shag; Fulmar; Kittiwake; Great Skua; Arctic Skua; Manx Shearwater; Guillemot; Razorbill; Hooded Crow; Storm Petrel; Pied Wagtail; Treecreeper; Blue Tit; Wren; Black Tailed Godwit; Snipe; Magpie; Yellowhammer; Linnet; Goldfinch; Whimbrel; Goodander; Sandwich Tern; Eider; Mute Swan; Lapwing; Red Breasted Merganser; Tree Sparrow; Ruff; Stonechat; Ringed Plover; Dunlin; Knot; Bar Tailed Godwit; Shelduck; Redshank.

Red Squirrel; Roe Deer; Red Deer; Pipistrelle Bat; Scotch Argus Butterfly: Wild Goat; Brown Hare; Harbour Porpoise; Common Seal; Common Dolphins; Rabbit; Sika Deer.