Filey

Now that lectures are finished I can go and twitch anything I want. Having found a new cheaper train to get to Filey I decided to go and have a look at the Surf Scoter there. last years visit had been in torrential rain so I hoped to be able to get some better photos in better light, as this time there was not a cloud in the sky.

So when I arrived the scoter took some picking out due to the very strong glare over the bay, and the fact that it was distant. It did come closer and I had hoped the glare would drop but sadly it did not and all I managed were photos of its silhouette. At least it made for a nicer day out than last time. From the photos you can see the white behind the head but the colours on the bill are lacking. That being said, they are somewhat lacking anyway due to the bird only being a 1st winter male.

Its nice to be able to connect with this species again, but I think I will be back for the next one too in an attempt to finally get a decent photo of one. 

-Surf Scoter

One of my reasons for coming to Filey besides the Scoter were the Purple Sandpipers. I love this species and with the spring arriving I knew I might not get some this winter. Fortunately there were still plenty on the brig, including a pretty sweet flock of around 60 birds accompanied by a solitary Dunlin. I managed to get some nice shots as they were on the right side of the light. It really brought out the purple sheen on some of the individuals. A real treat.

-Purple Sandpiper

This was my first proper trip to the coast besides Hartlepool so I was keen to knock off a few coastal yearticks. I managed to plow through 5 additional yearticks; Razorbill, Fulmar, Gannet, Kittiwake and Rock Pipi, as well as Red-legged Partridge from the train. Not a bad haul. In addition to that there were nice views of other coastal species, particularly Red-throated Diver when an individual I had not noticed popped up right in front of me as I was watching the Scoter. There were also signs of spring everywhere, particcularly on the cliff tops where there were at least 10 parachuting Meadow Pipits.

-Eider

-Fulmar

-Gannet

-Red-throated Diver

-Meadow Pipit

-Kittiwake and Guillemot

The weather was fantastic and it made it a really pleasant day out, with awesome birds too. What a way to start my months off from work...

Species List:

Filey: Red-legged Partridge, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Black-headed Gull, Collard Dove, Feral Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Lapwing, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Rook, Pheasant, Skylark, Graylag Goose, Grey Partridge, Herring Gull, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Turnstone, Gannet, Oystercatcher, Purple Sandpiper, Guillemot, Cormorant, Razorbill, Surf Scoter, Shag, Dunlin, Meadow Pipit, Eider, Redshank, Curlew, Red-throated Diver, Rock Pipit, Great Black-backed Gull, Linnet, Stock Dove, Kestrel, 

Spurn - Completion of the Masked Shrike Twitch

  After yesterdays excursions I slept in a little, though still I was up and about by 6.30. I headed up for to the seawatching hut to have a look round and see if there was much moving. There were very impressive numbers of Red-Throated Diver, probably about 100 moving south over the course of the morning. There were also a few Barnacle Geese coming in, as well as a couple of duck species moving, including Pintail, Wigeon and Shellduck. There were also a few Sooty Shearwaters moving, including one that I found,n testament to how much my seawatching has improved over the summer.
  Once the sea had slowed down I moved onto the Numpties Watchpoint with Tim and a couple of other guys. There were good numbers of birds moving, and none birds too; a weasel was running round clubleys chasing the Meadow Pipits. I got a Spurn Tick when a few Red-Breasted Merganser flew past, as well as a Rock Pipit flew overhead, and then a few Brent Geese, including a Pale-Bellied (Iceland) bird. Other nice birds around included Ruff, Greenshank and Goldcrest.
  By late morning it had already slowed down so I headed round for a mooch around the site, namely to go back and check the Shrike, since it could well be that I do not see another in this country in my lifetime. It was still there, though it was still distant and difficult to get a good view off, just like yesterdays initial view. It still showed well though, fly-catching from the fence. I spent quite a bit of time at the Shrike field but also wandered around Kilnsea trying to find a RBF but ultimately did not manage it. I did find a Greater-Spotted Woodpecker in the Bluebell Car Park which was nice. I spoke to Rob and he said that he had seen one come in off the sea in the that area, so it could well be the same bird.
  I spent the rest of the afternoon at Seawatching again with Rob. There continued to be a stream of Red-Throated Divers moving south. There were also a couple of Porpoise and a Great Skua. The real highlight was a Sparrowhawk that came in off the sea. It was interesting to see it as we tracked it coming in from the sea. It then landed on the beach for a bit, sat there obviously out of puff.
  It was there that I arranged to get a lift home and so did not have to worry about public transport that I had done on the way there. It concluded a great couple of days, possibly one of the best birding days I have ever had over the last couple of days.

Species List:
Seawatching: Sooty Shearwater, Red-Throated Diver, Gannet, Little Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Dunlin, Common Scoter, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Common Tern, Common Gull, Common Teal, Barnacle Goose, Swallow, Kestrel, Pintail, Shelduck, Wigeon, Wheatear, Weasel
Vis-Migging: Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Chiff-Chaff, Brent Goose, Red-Breasted Merganser, Ruff, Wheatear, Tree Sparrow, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting, Rock Pipit, Red-Throated Diver, Cormorant, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk,
Mooching About: Snipe, Stonechat, Masked Shrike, Common Buzzard, Tree Sparrow, Barnacle Goose, Chiff-Chaff, Great-Spotted Woodpecker,
Seawatching: Sparrowhawk, Common Scoter, Great Skua, Common Teal, Wheatear, Red-Throated Diver, Porpoise 

scotland holiday-day 5

it rained again today, ha! I lied it was actually sunny! Today was the day that we would go to the top end of the island for a look that meant Lochranza where the eagles and red deer lived plus where most of the lochs are so a possibility of red throated divers.

a great start was needed in order to set the ball rolling, and I got one! I found a garden tiger moth in the men's loos today resting on one of the light shades. A great find although in a little less dignified habitat than I would have like. Plus the light was slightly poor which meant getting the photo right was a bit of a pain.

it was a long journey up the east side of the island to Lochranza but the moorland road where the eagles were supposed to be offered some spectacular scenery. We drove past a river called the north glen sannox and my dad suggested that if the weather stayed nice that we would go for a walk there that afternoon.


At the end of the road there was the isle of Arran distillery. This place is famous for its beer and its golden eagles. we only stopped by for the cafe but we got talking to the owner and he told us that the eagles should be out today because the weather had been so poor and they just wanted to soar. After I had finished my irn bru I went out into the car park, got out the scope, and started to watch. There had already been a few buzzards and a kestrel but no sooner had I left the cafe did a much bigger and to be frank, scruffier bird come over the rise of the hill. It was clear what it was right from the start but soon after it had appeared and it flew in front of a dark hill mass and not against the grey of the sky you could really see the gold on the back of its neck. The photos I got were less than good but the one featured below was decent enough to be classed as a record shot.

So there we have it. Objective two completed! I was really happy but my parents had not got their phones on so when I texted them about it they missed out because of their phones. Talk about the limitations of modern technology!

still from this encounter I learned just how big these birds were. And I was sure that the next time I saw one there would be no question. After that we moved on towards the town of Lochranza itself. There we parked at the ferry terminal there and had our coffee. We struck up conversation about the possibility of red-throated diver nests and the chance of going to see one. There was one lochan with a footpath and we decided that me and dad would go there and my brother and mum (because my mum has MS) would stay in lochranza and go on the canoes. So we all drove round to where the path was that would lead us to the lochan. We never got there. Half way round at a place called Rubha Glas I spotted some shapes out at sea. My head full of red-throated diver I asked my dad to stop so I could have a look, although I was sure that they would be cormorants. They weren't! they were full summer plumaged red-throated divers. I was so thrilled. Through the scope You could see everything about their profile. I say their because there was not just one but 3. I crept down the beach to the shore to get some photos and although they did not come out too well I will always treasure the memories.

Whilst I was looking at the divers My dad and brother had gone off rock pooling. Half an hour after they had started they called me and my mum over to have a look at something they had caught. Well, it was the icing on the cake. A shore rockling of sorts was being held in my dads hand. It is the first time I have ever seen a wild codfish and, after identification in my book, it turned out that this was a five bearded rockling, so not just any old codfish. I was able to take some great photos of the beast because of the fact that it had been caught but I'm not sure I will be needing them. I will always remember it.

They also caught a edible crab which I took some photos of

after we had finished rockpooling 3 more birds came and landed nearby. I had a look through my binoculars and I could easily see that these were different from the divers. I looked harder and saw the orange heads that are a common feature of red-breasted merganser. 3 of them were out swimming in front of me. As with the diver I couldn't get a really got photo but I got an acceptable one.

After all that excitement there was no need to go for a long walk to see the divers and so we set off back to North Glenn Sannox that we had seen on the way here. I was slightly disappointed by the lack of red deer in lochranza itself but as we drove past the lochranza campsite we found some sitting on the golf course. My parents decided that they would look around the campsite, allowing me to get the photos of the deer that I had wanted. The deer were quite a way away but I managed the best I could to get some photos, although to be fair, I have managed better with my little happy snappy camera last time we were here.

Next we arrived at north Glenn sannox. It was quite a habitat. A fast flowing river surrounded by moorland until you reached an area of coniferous forest growing further up the river. There were a good deal of exciting waterfalls.

We stepped out of the car, the sun beating down, and began our walk. I even left my jumper in the car. Brave move I know but a necessary one to keep my body temperature down. The river offered a wonderful sight and no sooner had we set of than we met our fist dragonfly. To be frank it would not stay still for me and despite my desperate struggles at taking a photo to work with the darn thing was just too fast. My parents carried on and left me to my struggles. Eventually I gave up too and joined them further up. It soon became clear, however, that dragonfly X was not the only one on this walk. There were loads of them, hunting and diving in all directions.

The first photo I recall taking however is featured below. Not of a bird or a dragonfly but of a magpie moth. I remember the first time i saw a magpie moth, in a toilet in south Devon only a few days after I bought my eye-spy butterfly's and moths book that originally got me interested in butterfly's and moths. It was my first moth over 10 points within the book at a whopping 20 points I was well pleased with my first magpie moth. Since then I have had patchy sightings but no real photos. Until now. At last I have a record shot worthy of my self criticism. I was slightly surprised by their presence here but I should see no reason why. I have seen them only down the coast on the rhins of galloway so why should they not be here. Anyway they are and I am pleased for them and for me.

a lot further up we began to see more and more dragonflys. Even before we saw them landed we could easily tell that there were golden-ringed and common hawkers. My mum had stayed slightly further down the hill as me, my dad and brother carried on a bit to have a look at a waterfall. As we reached the waterfall there were some golden-ringed resting allowing me to take my first photos of golden-ringed dragonflys this year. I was eager to see at least one of the 8 species that live on Arran but seeing two in one day and so close was extraordinary.

You may, if you were paying attention, would have noticed that I commented about there only being 8 dragonflys on the island. I have put in a list here for anyone interested in dragonflys going to Arran soon. Those with an asterisk are new species to me and those with speech marks I need a photo of

Keeled skimmer"*

Common Hawker"

Southern hawker

Common Darter

Black Darter"*

four spot chaser

golden-ringed dragonfly
so as you can see there are quite a few dragonflys on the island

When we rejoined my mum she was sat on a rock overlooking a waterfall. I decided to try and take a moving water shot on this waterfall and, if I do say so, is really good (although I don't really understand it!)

As I stayed at the waterfall taking photos my mum and dad had moved off. When I rejoined them mum mum told me to look at my dads face. I was quite shocked and amazed by what I found there-see below to look!

That's a great record shot of a common hawker. Now they realised their game was up however they started landing for photos everywhere allowing me to get some slightly more natural photos!

Just before we reached the gate the dragonfly above is sat on my brother pointed to a gigantic giant green Caterpillar marching along the floor. I tried to get some photos but my dad helpfully moved it onto a more outstanding rock to make it easier. I took some photos and then moved it onto the grass to avoid it being trodden on. Later identification proved it to be an emperor moth caterpillar. It would have been great to see the moth.

No sooner had we left the caterpillar than was our attention drawn to the path again. this time in the form of a green beetle running very fast. I recognized it but only vaguely and told my family with much doubt that it was a green tiger beetle. Later analysis proved that it was a green tiger beetle. look at the second photo I took. Tiger beetles are renown for their predatoryness and the second photo shows just how evil this creature looks. I was well impressed with that photo.

We were getting nearer the car all the time but the wildlife just would not stop coming. We found a large red damselfly, a species we are well used to having them in our garden pond, resting next to one of the pools around.

then I found my second garden tiger moth of the day, resting near the tiger beetle. It is a much more natural setting than the men's loos and so I took some more photos of them just for natural authenticity. a great day out.

But the gold rush just would not stop. A small brown bird landed in front of us and through my mums binoculars I recognized the unmistakable black mask of a whinchat, only my second. I took a photo but it flew across the river and so this is the only photo I have. I cant say whether I can find the bird in the photo or not but its there, hiding amongst the braken. I said "lets get out of here before something else turns up"

We finally arrived at the car but decided as my mum and dad got ready for the long drive back to have a mooch round the car park. I was rewarded witha blue butterfly. I can not say what type of blue it is. I have lots of feild guides but only one has maps and the british isles on that map the british isles are small and almsot unidentifiable. I know that small blues are very small and black so it couldnt be one of them and as a result have classed it as a common blue.

as i finished watching the butterfly I spotted a hoverfly on a nearby gorse bush. Huh I hear you cry whats a hoverfly just a bug. Yes well this was no ordinary hoverfly....

Look at the photo below. I have included a scale. A twenty pence peice and you can really see just how big this animal was. what a sight! and a great end to a great day out.

at the campsite me and my dad went for a walk just like last night only we got a bit furthur to the fulmar nests in the cliff although by the point in which the fulmars nest the path is incredibly inaccsesible. infact there is no path it is just a rockfall which is a free hand scramble to where the fulmars nest. still it was worth the effort. only I didnt bring the camera so I dont have the photos