Stag Rocks 28.8.13

During a family trip to Stag Rocks me and my Dad took the oppurtunity to look at the sea, where hundreds of Shearwaters, Gannets and Terns were feeding offshore. In amongst these the highlights were:

2 Balearic Shearwaters
5+ Sooty Shearwaters
300+ Manx Shearwaters
7+ Arctic Skuas
1 Little Gull
2 Black Terns

15 Roseate Terns were also on the rocks and allowed a close approach if you were careful.

8 of the 15 Roseate Terns

Booted Warbler dip

News of a Booted Warbler at Hadston Carrs yesterday made us go there this morning, but unfortunately even after thorough searching we could not find the bird. We dedcided to have a look at Chevington where the Spotted Crake showed quite well, a Black Tern flew around the back of the north pool (my first since 2008!) and a Spotted Redshank fed in the shallows.

Wader numbers at Bothal are quite good at the moment. Today there were 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Ruff, 5 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.

Spotted Crake, Snipe and Redshank

Druridge Bay

Cresswell first up was pretty quiet with only a few Greenshank being seen. Then on to Chevington where another (?) Spotted Crake showed briefly. 2 Spotted Redshanks and 14 Ruff were also on the North Pool. At Bothal there was a winter plumage Mediterranean Gull was present as well as a Ruff and 4 Greenshank.

Mediterranean Gull

Low Newton and Cresswell

A look at Low Newton yesterday morning resulted in the adult Pectoral Sandpiper being seen on the scrapes, along with 3 Ruff and 2 Yellow Wagtails. At Cresswell on the way back my Dad found a juvenile Garganey. 8 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff and a Common Sandpiper were also present.

Pectoral Sandpiper record shot

Dragonflies from Big Waters

A few dragonflies seen at Big Waters this afternoon. The highlights were 2 Ruddy Darters and at least 4 Southern Hawkers. Numerous Emerald and Common Blue Damselflies were also present.

I've also attached a photo of a juvenile Little Gull at Chevington yesterday. I have seen many Little Gulls but that was my first proper juvenile.

Southern Hawker

Ruddy Darter

Emerald Damselfly

Little Gull

White-winged Black Tern

A couple of photos of the juvenile White-winged Black Tern at Chevington last night.

Mull, 27.7 - 3.8.13

Day 1
Our home for the week looks out over the Mull coast, where on day one I managed to see 3 White-tailed Eagles, 2 Otters as well as at least 5 Porpoise and many Black Guillemots. A look at nearby Loch Don later that evening produced 3 Peregrine and a ringtail Hen Harrier. A few butterflies were also seen at various sites on day one including Scotch Argus and Dark Green Fritillary.

Harbour Porpoise

Black Guillemots

Day 2
Another look out my bedroom window in Craignure produced a flyby Black-throated Diver a Raven. We had been told a valley called Glen More was a good place for Golden Eagles and  annd sure enough we found 2 birds. A few Scotch Argus, Highland and Black Darters were also present.

Scotch Argus

Hooded Crow

Day 3
Day three was spent mainly around Loch Na Keal where in the morning we saw a total of 5 White-tailed Eagles as well as 4 from the Eagle boat later. A Dark Green Fritillary was also seen.

White-tailed Eagles

Common Seals

Day 4
Another look for the Golden Eagles produced 3 birds as well as a Golden-ringed Dragonfly. Later in the day a family trip to Ardalanish beach saw 2 juvenile Cuckoos and 2 Whinchat.

Golden Eagle

Cuckoo

Glen More

Day 5
2 ringtail Hen Harriers were seen as we made our way to Iona, where I saw my first Corncrake and a Great Skua. 2 Otters and 2 Whinchat were seen on the way back.

Day 6
Persistent heavy rain resulted in no birds or animal being seen on day six.

Day 7
The final day was mostly spent dragonfly hunting. A Northern Emerald was the highlight and quite a suprise find. At least 5 Common Hawkers were also seen as well as a few Highland Darters. A lot of Scotch Argus were also seen.

Highland Darter

Hooded Crows

Scotch Argus