Gairloch (Scotland), 2-9 August

Days 1 & 2
On the journey we didn't see much more than a few Hooded Crows and Ravens. On day two I took some time to explore the meadow beside our house, where we discovered 10+ Black Darters, 2+ Scotch Argus, 3+ Dark Green Fritillary, 3+ Common Hawker, 1 Common 'Highland' Darter and a Common Lizard.

Black Darter

Common 'Highland' Darter

Common Hawker

Common Lizard

Day 3
On day three we first went to Gruinard Island, where we couldn't find any Eagles, but there was the first Black Guillemot of the trip and a Common Seal. At Altbea there was a Black-throated Diver. When we reached Inverpoly there was a singing Black-throated Diver, 3 Ravens, 2+ Hooded Crow and 7 Red Deer on the way back.

Sundews, any suggestions as to which species?

Day 4
The next day we spent looking for dragonflies at Slattadale on the shores of Loch Maree. A Golden-ringed Dragonfly was the highlight, and 10+ Common Hawker and 30+ Common 'Highland' Darter were also on the wing. On the way back to the house I saw my first Spotted Flycatchers of the year, as well as a Common Seal and a Raven.

After a unsuccessful night spent waiting to see what had been eating the jam sandwiches we put out, it was a brilliant surprise when my first Pine Marten visited our garden at 18:45.

Pine Marten (thanks to the family member that let me use this photo. I wasn't quick enough!)

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Common Hawker

Day 5
Today we decided to go on a boat trip with Hebridean Whale Cruises. It was a great success with the highlights being my first 2 Minke Whales and lots of European Storm-petrels (at least 50, including a group of 29 at one point). Lots of other birds were seen on the trip including Great and Arctic Skuas, Manx Shearwaters, Black Guillemot and plenty of Harbour Porpoises.

Around home we also saw a Cuckoo and a very confiding Red Deer.

Minke Whales (and 2 European Storm-petrels)

European Storm-petrels

Great Skua

Red Deer

Day 6
3 Ravens were flying around Altbea today, and 2 Twite, Wheatears and Rock Doves were at Mellon Udrigle. We went to watch the sunset at Redpoint and I managed to see 6 Black Guillemots flying past.

Sunset at Redpoint

Day 7
Another look at Slattadale in the morning produced a  blue morph female Azure Hawker. 5+ Common Hawkers, 15+ Common 'Highland' Darter, 15+ Common Crossbill and 2 Hooded Crows were also about.

Later on the way to get fish and chips we stopped in Gairloch and saw 6 Black-throated Diver and 7 Red-throated Divers close to the shore as well as 3 showy Hooded Crows.

Common Hawker

Common 'Highland' Darter

Any suggestions?

Hooded Crows

Black-throated Divers

Stilt Sandpiper...

Here's a record shot of the adult Stilt Sandpiper at Cresswell Pond this afternoon in the wind and rain. It showed distantly yesterday, but much better today in the fields north of the pond. The Sandpiper and the Pratincole have made it a pretty good few days for me recently! 2 Spoonbills, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Whimbrel were also at the pond.

Note: When I put the photo into blogger it was somehow saturated. The bird doesn't look as blue in the flesh as in the photo!

Stilt Sandpiper

Second Pratincole of July

After a fairly relaxed trip to Bothal this afternoon which turned up an adult Black-necked Grebe, I wasn't expecting much more excitement. It looked to be that way until we heard that a Collared Pratincole had been found close to home at Castle Island. As soon as we heard the news we were on our way.
We arrived and there it was! There was still a bit of debate as to whether it was a Collared or Oriental, but soon everyone was certain it was an adult Collared Pratincole. After giving some great views on the ground it flew off north-west and out of sight.

About fifteen minutes later it returned and flew around, providing us with some superb flight views and photo opportunities. It even called briefly at one point.

Other birds at Castle Island included a Little Egret, 7 Black-tailed Godwits and at least one Common Sandpiper.

Collared Pratincole

Recent sightings

On Monday we decided to have a look at East Cramlington Pond for dragonflies. There were plenty on the wing with at least 10 Ruddy Darters being the highlight. Plenty of Azure, Emerald and Blue-tailed Damselflies were also there.

Later in the day I had a cricket match in Corbridge, so we took the opportunity to have a look in Slaley Forest for Nightjars. Sure enough we heard and saw a couple of Nightjars, as well as Woodcocks and a Cuckoo. Barn and Long-eared Owls were also in the area.

At Cresswell on Tuesday there was: a Ruff, a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Knot, 6 Avocet, a Whimbrel and 10 Black-tailed Godwits. A Wood Sandpiper was on my patch, Bothal Pond.

Ruddy Darters

Emerald Damselfly

Azure Damselfly

BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE

Yesterday morning I woke up and saw that a pratincole sp. had been found at Hurworth Burn Reservoir in Co. Durham. When the news came that it was a Black-winged I wanted to see it even more, as what had been presumably this bird had made a disappointingly short stop not far from my home. The only problem was that we had arrangements in the morning, so would it stay until the afternoon?

Thankfully it did and after some problems parking, we were soon enjoying some good scope views of the adult BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE. It often spent time hunkered down in the grass amongst the Lapwings, when it would be completely invisible, but good views both in flight and on the ground were had.

Back at Druridge this afternoon it wasn't quite as exciting, with 2 Spoonbills in their usual sleepy state from the Budge Screen as were 4 Black-tailed Godwits, and plenty of Dark Green Fritillaries were in the dunes behind.

I also saw a drake Ruddy Duck this afternoon which made me wonder if I'll ever see another...

BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE - a bit too far for my 400mm lens!

Ruddy Duck

Dark Green Fritillary

Cresswell

A quick visit to Cresswell yesterday morning was highlighted by 9 Little Gulls, including a couple with smart black hoods. Other birds included 8+ Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, 7 Avocet and a particularly showy Reed Bunting.

Little Gulls

Black-tailed Godwits and Little Egret

Little Egret

Reed Bunting

GREAT REED WARBLER

After getting brief views of the East Chevington bird last year, I was keen to see another and tonight was my chance. This evening we headed to Cresswell Pond, and soon after arriving we had a view that lasted about a second in the willows at the north end. About an hour later I saw a bird fly out of the willow, which at first I thought was a song thrush, but it landed in the reeds. Sure enough up popped the striking Great Reed Warbler, and it showed nicely for the next minute or so. I managed a couple of very poor record shots. 4 Little Gulls were also at the pond and 25 Black-tailed Godwits flew off.

Great Reed Warbler