Scottish Highlands Final Part

Friday came around far to quickly for my liking and we woke up early to head back to the coast. Another lovely day for photography and we made the most of it. Some lovely showing Long-tailed Ducks again and a nice mix of birds throughout the day including; Eider, Red Throated Diver, Purple Sandpiper, Shag, Snow Bunting. We headed inland to Loch Spynie a very nice reserve indeed. Red head Smew, Male Red-breasted Merganser and Marsh Harrier.

Male Long-tailed Duck

Immature Male Long-tailed Duck

Female Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck

Diving Male Long-tailed Duck

Immature Male Long-tailed Duck

Diving, showing it's long tail

Displaying males

Juv Great Black-backed Gull

On our last day we had only the morning before we had to set off on the long drive home. We decided to try on the mountains for Ptarmigan and Snow bunting. A long drive through rural areas was very scenic and beautiful we saw plenty of Red grouse and Ravens. Sadly no Golden Eagles but you can't have everything. We spent a fair bit of the time with the Snow Buntings and didn't bother with the Ptarmigan. The light wasn't great but I was happy to see these birds at close range.

Male Snow Bunting

Arguing Snow Buntings

I had a fantastic week in the Highlands with 5 lifers and more to the year list. Experiences I will never ever forget and birds that will stay with me forever. I huge Thank you to Dean Eades www.birdmad.com and his family whom without none of this wouldn't have been possible. His guidence and knowledge of the area is second to none. Great company and a great week with great birds.

Scottish Highlands Part 2

Wednesday was a complete washout, snow forecast and although we didn't get much in Aviemore it wasn't worth going far to get stuck in the sticks.  Thursday was much better weather, mostly sunny all day. We started the day photographing Crested Tits among other small birds until lunch. It wasn't easy getting a clean background and we made hard work of it. It didn't help that the Crested Tit didn't show very well but did manage some shots that I'm happy with. The Coal Tit's were very friendly and would come take food from your hand. I took it an extra step and tried to photograph them, and came away very happy with the results. We also Saw 3 Red Squirrels, 1 Raven, 1 Treecreeper and 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. We also heard a Cappercaille calling.

Punk rocker of the Bird world

Great Tit

Crested Tit

Great Tit

Arguing Coal Tit

In coming Coal Tit

Coal Tit feeding in my hand

Crested Tit

Coal Tit

Great Tit

Crested Tit

Crested Tit

After a nice morning with the Crested Tit's we moved onto the Cappercaillie site for a few hours. It didn't take to long to locate the male. The bird showed really well and after spending a couple fo hours we left the bird to feed in peace before going to roost. All photos below are of the male Cappercaillie. I managed the one shot I really really wanted, save it until last. To spend time with this male Cappercaillie is something I will never ever forget. Being in the presence of the king of the highlands is amazing!

 

My favourite Photo I have ever taken

My final part of my highland adventure will be up by Sunday 24th. Thanks for looking.

Scottish Highlands Part 1

Day one of my Highland adventure. We had planned to go out on the mountain tops to photograph Ptarmigan but once we got up their the weather wasn't suitable for photography to say the least! So we headed off to the Capercaillie site where I spent the next two hours with this wonderful male. I had a couple of shot in mind that I wanted of this bird and over the 2 visits I was very pleased with the results. After lunch we went to have a look for Crested Tits and Red Squirrels. Arriving on site I was pleased to see and photograph my first Crested Tit. We didn't manage to spot any Red Squirrels though.

One of the few shots I had in mind

Environmental shot

One of my favourite shots of the Capercaillie

An early start on Monday saw us heading up onto the mountains again to try for Ptarmigan, but the road up to mountain was shut due to snow so we made the decision to head for the coast and have a look in the harbours for Long-tailed Ducks and maybe a King Eider. We tried two bays and had a good day, but the light just wasn't quite right. A good birding day was had though, Red Grouse, Purple Sandpiper, Eider, Common Scooter, Red throated Diver, Rock Pipit, 2 shag and at least 12 Long-tailed Ducks.

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Eider

Male Long-tailed Duck

Male Long-tailed Duck in-flight

Female Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Ducks

Male Long-tailed Duck in-flight

Cormorant

Grey Seal

Great Black-backed Gull in-flight
 

Day 3 and finally we managed to get onto the mountains to photograph the Ptarmigan. It wasn't easy finding the birds but eventually we managed to find a group of at least 12 birds. They showed well allowing us to get fairly close.  We also managed 2 Mountain hare and I managed a record shot. The weather was always grey and overcast where we were but looking at the other mountain peaks they looked beautiful in the sunlight just ours that didn't have the sun. After lunch we headed back to try photograph the Crested Tit's with a little more success than yesterday. Still didn't see any Red Squirrels, but did manage to see a Goldcrest and Treecreeper.

Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan

Mountain Hare

Coal Tit

Crested Tit

Great Tit

Ptarmigan