Scarborough

With plenty to see and do in Yorkshire I decided to spend two days in the Yorkshire. Early Tuesday I got up and headed across the Humber Bridge. My first port of call was Hornsea Mere. I managed to miss the Bittern in the hour and a half I was there. I did manage to connect with the Black-necked Grebe though which was a year tick for me. Headed up to Scarborough to check the whole area. 6 Fulmers and 2 Peregrines at Marine Drive and 1 Shag on the sea of note. 6 Mediterranean Gulls at Holbeck car park including two with nearly full heads. Onto the Mere where I managed to connect with the Male Red-crested Pochard. Also of note was a single Pink-footed Goose. A grey day but the day gave me some good photo chances so I snapped them up.

 

Mediterranean Gull Wide angle

I call this image. Keep calm and eat bread.

Another wide angle shot

Male Red-crested Pochard

Male Tufted Duck with evil eyes!

More stunning eyes.

Peregrine Falcon

 

Herring Gull

Roosting Purple Sandpiper

Tunrstone



Juv Great Black-backed Gull

 

Wednesday was set to be a lovely day for photography and it didn't disappoint. started off with a drive to forge valley for some year ticks in the form of Marsh tit, Willow Tit and Brambling. Then headed through Troutsdale where I saw 3 Goshawks, 1 of which was in full hunting mode! Back to Scarborough and to the Med Gulls again but it was low tide and they spent a lot of time down on the pools. couldn't locate any Purple Sandpipers down there either. Onto the Mere again to try for some more shots of the RCP but it didn't show well. Still played around with Tufted Ducks. Headed back to Lincs to see if the SEO were showing at Worlaby 5 birds showed at a distance as well as a pair of Stonechat. And I saw my first Male Hen Harrier!! Well worth the quick stop off and being late for football. 9 Year tick over the two days and some nice pictures, a good trip.

Angry wife!

Female Tufted Duck

Adult Mediterranean Gull



Tufted Duck

 

Stonechat

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.