Grousing around, the big four!

Well it was one of those days that started off good and ended great!

First up was a male Capercaillie, in full display mode in the half light of morning.  This bird was right in the middle of the forest path and gave stunning views through the scope, it was reacting to something in the grass both sides of the path so perhaps other males were in the vicinity but these were not seen.  Once again strict rules were adhered to and the bird was only viewed at distance.

Next was a trip to a local Black Grouse lek, and straight away, on leaving the car, the haunting bubbling call and hisses of Black grouse displaying could be heard.  Views were distant but it is surprising just how far the calls carry.  Two males were observed fighting and displaying, but at least four other birds were heard in the area, one grey hen put in a very brief appearance.

Spot the Black Grouse!

Onwards and upwards, to the Ptarmigan Restaurant and the top of Cairngorm.  After a very brief search a stunning male crept into view, still mainly in it's white winter plumage it remained in view for well over twenty minutes and created quite a queue of people wanting to use my 'scope!

Ptarmigan

Last was the return journey and my banker location for Red Grouse, one male in particular was very confiding giving Bill a great opportunity of some stunning pictures.

Three lifers before lunch time for Bill!

Add to the birds: good company and the weather hitting a new record temperature for March it turned out to an absolutely top days birding!

A beautiful spring morning on Speyside.

Crossbills, Capercaillies and a cracking sunrise!

Out well before daylight today to check up on my local Capercaillies.  Mindful of the strict "Caper code of conduct" I drove to the local area, staying on the main road that winds through the forest and sat comfortably in my car with the windows down and engine off, drinking a coffee.

Just as dawn was breaking (and about 30 minutes after arrival) a male gave a low flypast over the road heading deeper into the forest and, almost immediately, in the opposite direction another male started calling (this bird was not seen and no attempt made to track it down)

It was a great way of Caper counting and it is brilliant news that there are at least two males in the area.  The local Gamekeeper thought only one male and one female were remaining. 

  

A beatiful Scottish morning, frosty and calm.



Driving to another location, away from the Caper area, I stopped for breakfst and a bit of general birding, the pace was alive with Crossbills, some in full song, others fliting around from tree to tree all the while "tchuup tchuup tchuuuping" to each other, it's a pity they never seem to carry on like this in full sunshine when I stand a chance of digiscoping some decent images!

Add to the cast Red Squirrel, Great Spotted woodpecker drumming, treecreeper and Siskin, it was a lovely way to start a Friday!



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Beautiful Bewicks

Fantastic day guiding to Loch Fleet and surrounding area.

Total of 48 species seen with highlights including, Greenshank, Twite, Brambling and at least three Bewick Swans in field with whoopers not far from Fearn.

Whooper and Bewick Swans

Whooper and Bewick Swans





Bewick Swans

Same birds different day?

Struck gold again today guiding up the findhorn valley.  A single Golden Eagle appeared through the gloom in the first break in the weather, then on the return journey three (yes two days in a row!) Golden Eagles appeared soaring and interacting with each other.  Gave a brilliant show for about 15 minutes.



Golden Eagle x three!

What a weekend!  Wall to wall birding with some fantastic entertaining and interesting characters.

Highlights are pictured below, but by far my favourite moment was the three Golden Eagles soaring together, however better than the spectacle of seeing this natural wonder was the fact that they were lifers for Lynda!

But what's nice to know is that tomorrow I'm back out Eagle hunting at the same location.... happy days!

Glaucous Gull

Mountain Hare 

Golden Eagles 

Golden Eagles

Crossbill

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2012

What a great way to spend an hour of the weekend!

Using the car as a hide Lynda and I undertook our first ever Big Garden Birdwatch, nice to spend time looking at common stuff usually past over.

Tally for day:

Blue Tit
House Sparrow
Great Tit
Dunnock
Robin
Siskin
Chaffinch
Woodpigeon
Pheasant
Coal Tit
Blackbird
Goldfinch
Greenfinch

Big Garden Birdwatch Venue for 2012



The Tufty Club

Cracking relaxed drive around Speyside today with Robert from Nethybridge.

Started off with Red Squirrels in his garden, they are looking stunning at this time of year.  Next onto Goose watch.

Near to Broomhill station a gaggle in the fields contained Greylag, Pink Footed and at least twenty White Fronted Geese, unfortunately no sign of the recently reported Bean Geese.

White Fronted Geese



All quiet!

It has been a fairly quiet start to 2012, hopefully it will get more "birdy" soon!

Sorting through my recent pics came across this little selection from the trip to Loch Fleet on the 01 January 2012.

Heading for Black Grouse and Crossbills on Monday.



Brambling

Redpoll

Common Seal (yawning!)



Common Seal (smiling)

Happy New Year and return to Greater Yellowlegs

Well the lure of the Greater Yellowlegs proved too much and we headed back North to Loch Fleet (it is so good having a girlfriend that is a birder as well!) to add this wee beauty to the 2012 list.

A lovely drive North through some stunning scenery, once we had cleared the rain at Inverness.  Arriving at the same location as yesterday we were pleased to see the bird had not moved, plus as an added bonus it was joined by a Greenshank.

The Yellowlegs was feeding extremely well and in a ten minute period scoffed at least five worms so hopefully it's winter vacation may not spell it's demise.

Nearby was a huge finck flock containing Greenfinch, Chaffinch, at least 5 Brambling, Linnets, Redpoll and Twite.

Greenshank (left) Greater Yellowlegs (Right)

Greenshank

Greater Yellowlegs

Greenshank

This was my perfect way to spend 01 January and by far the best birding start to any year, a total day list of 52, lovely weather and the company of Lynda, lets hope this is the start of a fantastic 2012.