HEATHERLEA TRIP REPORT SPECIALS AND MIGRATION, FEATURING THE BURMA BANK 29 AUGUST 5 SEPTEMBER Arrival, welcome and dinner

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Inverness-shire PH25 3EB Tel: 01479 821248 Email: info@heatherlea.co.uk www.

1 HEATHERLEA TRIP REPORT SPECIALS AND MIGRATION, FEATURING THE BURMA BANK 29 AUGUST 5 SEPTEMBER 2015 Heatherlea Birdwatching The Mountview Hotel, Nethy Bridge Inverness-shire PH25 3EB Tel: info@heatherlea.co.uk Heatherlea Guide: Phil Knott Saturday 29 August Arrival, welcome and dinner

2 Sunday 30 August We started locally today, joining forces with the mercurial Jonny and his short-break group. It was a superb start, with a drive up to the moor to check out our local Black Grouse lek. First animal was a Mountain Hare, followed by Roe Deer. Birdwise, not much showing at first, but the presence of a female Hen Harrier soon shook things up, with good views of everything after that, with at least 9 male Black Grouse. We returned for breakfast then drove along to our private Capercaillie Estate. Within minutes we had stopped and were watching Common Crossbills and Crested Tits well, among many commoner woodland birds. Could the morning get any better? We drove along a few hundred yards and answered that question Stan picking out a roadside hen Capercaillie! She wandered away slowly, allowing great views for everyone in both buses. What a star! We now left Strathspey and headed down into a quiet glen, where we took lunch at a viewpoint. Jonny earned his pay with a fine spot of a sub-adult Golden Eagle and numerous Buzzards. The Eagle eventually came right over us, her crop full of her recent meal. We moved on up to the roadend, which was unusually quiet, so we headed back down into Strathspey. We then moved out on to the moor, looking at the Red Grouse broods at close quarters, before stopping alongside a loch for a scan over the now windy loch. A Black-throated Diver was picked out, but it was a very difficult view indeed. We headed back via the village and then back to base a great first day was had by all! Monday 31 August Burma Bank day! After getting the thumbs up from our skipper Nick, we headed west after an early breakfast, stopping off in Achnasheen where we had Siskin, Redpoll and Goldcrest. We suited up at Gairloch Pier, and were soon on our way out into the Minch. It was to be straight into the northerly to start, a bumpy but exhilarating ride. We were soon racing past Great and Arctic Skuas, Storm Petrels and Gannets but we had to get out to the Bank. First main stop was for two Sooty Shearwaters our first of the autumn, and what close views! We then followed a trawler, even better, with scores of European Storm Petrels feeding all around us! Another Sooty Shearwater was spotted, this time allowing for good binocular views for all. We continued out to the Burma Bank. Today this upwelling was quiet, so we opted to head on to the tip of Skye. We motored on to Rubha Hunish, where there was a tremendous rip. Few birds and no whales here today, but stunning scenery! We moved out to the Staffin Bank, where we picked up scores of Manx Shearwaters, followed by the real star birds of the trip two and eventually three juvenile Long-tailed Skuas at extremely close quarters, their weak flight, well-marked scapulars and undertail coverts all showing well. Delighted with this, we moved on, recording good Common Dolphins on our trip back in. As we neared land again, we came across two juvenile Great Northern Divers (Scottish breeders?!) and then some wonderful Black-throated Divers at close range. We had been out for nearly four hours, we were delighted, but needed a cup of tea and a sandwich! We thanked Nick then headed north, calling in at a stunning beach on the shores of the bay. It was a stunning spot, and we didn t have to go far to find good quality birds, with superb views of Twite and Linnet, and even two Greenland race Wheatears, much larger and richer of colour than their southern counterparts. Last stop of the day was overlooking an island a great raft of Black-throated Diver out in the sound was a great way to end the day. A superb day on the West Coast!

3 Tuesday 1 September It was a difficult forecast for us: with an increasing northerly wind and rain, we would need a little luck to connect with our targets. We started in the local strath, taking the back road. Brown Hare were new here, whilst there were good numbers of Meadow Pipit, mixed hirundines and Lapwing. We headed to Inverness, crossing straight over to the Black Isle, where we stopped on the Beauly Firth. It was low tide, with lots of rocks and seaweed exposed. It didn t take long to connect with real quality, an Otter on our east side. It was porpoising along, feeding happily, and even hauled out on a seaweedy rock for a scratch and a roll. Birds here included numerous Goosander, Grey Heron and Curlew. We headed through the Black Isle, stopping at a village before crossing over to the Cromarty Firth, where we took tea in the plush hide on the Cromarty Firth. The tide was racing in here, and we soon had great views of Lapwing, Wigeon, Teal, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit and Redshank. Star bird was the female Sparrowhawk that flew in low, perching up on the fenceline, allowing great and prolonged viewing! The tide was bringing in a good mix of waders, but nothing unusual, so we headed along to a village for a scan over the bay. We added two new species here, with great views of a raft of Scaup and a juvenile Shelduck. Time and tide wait for no man, and we needed to get to our viewpoint before the rush was over. Thankfully we were in good time, and on arrival had numerous Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Common Seals in the stromash. Birding was good, with Common and Sandwich Terns feeding actively, with a few Kittiwakes too. All this activity attracted predators and thieves, with several Arctic Skua harrying and hawking. Best birding was reserved for waders, with a solid passage of Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and Curlew in good numbers. Best bird was a flyover Grey Plover, showing us his black armpits. As we loaded up at the bus, a Red-throated Diver flew high overhead too. We stopped in at a village again, before taking the scenic farmland road over to a farm. Good numbers of Linnets were present here, with several Siskin, Redpoll and Greenfinch. Whilst watching these farmland birds, a Red Kite flew through, joined by another on our return to the main road. We returned to the Kessock Bridge, then headed over to Nairnshire. We looked in at a sheltered bay, on the now full tide, with nothing new here, though a good range of Hooded Crows and their hybrids were present. We then looked in at a loch, where Little Grebe, Coot and Moorhen were new, as were Tufted Duck. The rain was now heavy, so we motored along to a seaside town, where on arrival the weather cleared for us. We scoped out to the Moray Firth, with a close Grey Seal and numerous eclipsed male Eider. Further offshore were countless Gannets, Kittiwakes and Skuas, but all a little too far out. Heading along to the harbour, the rain put a dampener on things, giving us quick views of Turnstone and Redshank before we headed for home. We closed the day in Strathspey, with a look from the Broomhill Bridge. Amazingly, we added a second Otter for the day, with a feeding individual upstream of the bridge two Otters for the trip, but no Dipper! Wednesday 2 September Today was the time to head east to the massively underwatched county of Aberdeenshire. We headed down the A95 and drove through to Huntly, from there through to Oldmeldrum, and in no time we had arrived at the Ythan Estuary. It was packed with birds, our first (and only!) Red-breasted Mergansers were at close quarters in a raft, whilst waders were in every direction. Closest views were had when we loaded up and drove round to the new flats right below us were Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Redshank and Dunlin stunning views of undisturbed feeding birds. The Godwits in

4 particular had lots of colour in their plumage. We moved up to the hide, a little further up the Ythan. This is one of Phil s favourite birding spots, and we soon discovered why: it was bustling! Great numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Redshank, all at close quarters. Scarcer birds included Greenshank, Ruff and Spotted Redshank (a very good Scottish bird!). Raptors included 2 Osprey, 2 Peregrine and numerous Buzzards. We stayed for a good while, utilising the hide when the showers moved through. Next stop was a quick one, at a loch, but the wind meant that everything remained tucked in. Canada Goose was new for the week though. On to the roadside pool, where we had numerous Teal. We then drove down to a seaboard village, getting an excellent prolonged view of a Grey Partridge at the roadside. A harbour was our lunch spot, and proved to be fruitful for seawatching. On the rocks nearby were Rock Pipit and Wheatear, whilst out to sea were Velvet Scoter, Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and a good range of seabirds, though not the hoped for Skuas today. We moved up to another village for a look on the sea there: good views of Common and Sandwich Terns, and Gannets sat on the sea with Red-throated Divers! We took a walk in the woods for migrants, but nothing was in, so we had to be content with Linnet and Reed Bunting views. Most unusual birds were two Great Skuas that flew over the headland, well inland! We headed back down to the Ythan, where we closed the day. The tide was now in, with Grey Seals and Eiders moving up, and waders tucking in to roost on the banks. We still had several groups of waders fly right over us, with mixed Godwits, Knot, Dunlin and even a group of 9 Ruff. It was a fine end to a great day over on the east. We returned the same way, via Huntly, and were back within a couple of hours. Thursday 3 September It was a damp start, with low cloud in the strath. We headed into the woods along the banks of the River Spey. The lovely pine woods here were so attractive, with the blooming heather mixed in with the Cowberry and Blaeberry patches. Small birds were in good number, but almost all in the high tops with several dense flocks of Coal, Blue, Great and Crested Tits, with Goldcrest and Treecreeper. We finally enjoyed close views of a few of these species as we neared the burn. No Capercaillie or Crossbill today, so we moved through to Grantown. From here we headed out of the strath back into a quiet glen. It was still wet, but easing a little as we stopped for coffee by the confluence. Grey Wagtail were seen briefly here, with numerous Sand Martin, Swallow and Meadow Pipit. It was brightening, so we headed to a viewpoint, giving us a view of the lower hills. It didn t take long to find quality, a subadult Golden Eagle cruising the ridge! It then crossed the valley and enjoyed the updraft on the other side, a great view, with Red Grouse flushing beneath it, and Ravens hassling from above. With Red Deer, Siskin, Redpoll nearby, and Peregrine and 6 Buzzards further away, we had achieved a lot in one stop! We drove up to the head of the valley as the rain returned, returning to a point over the river for lunch. Good birding again here, with Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Sparrowhawk. Best bird again though was a different Golden Eagle that crested the ridge before stooping it was on the hunt and was so close to taking down a Woodpigeon that managed to outmanoeuvre it! Ravens stooping after a Red Grouse was also a great sight, both encounters very unusual! We returned to Strathspey, and took a walk in a quiet wood. Within minutes we had a large, mixed flock of passerines, with good Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit and Spotted Flycatcher to name but a few. We continued up the slope, with some opting to sit and some opting to walk further on a hunt

5 for male Capercaillie. After just a couple of minutes the walkers heard the distinctive rustling of a Caper breaking cover, and a splendid male broke out of a pine tree not more than 50 yards away and gave us a great flypast. It even cruised down the track and provided views for the others what a success! We headed back down, getting Great Spotted Woodpecker and Red Squirrel views before loading back into the bus. We looked briefly at a pool in Boat of Garten, before taking afternoon tea at Loch Garten RSPB. The centre was still open, so we went and enjoyed the busy feeders, with superb Red Squirrel views in particular. We closed the day up at the moor to try to add to our raptor list. Nothing new, but a sub-adult Peregrine was a nice way to close the day. A leveret of a Brown Hare was also a nice sighting on the road. Friday 4 September Our last day would be spent down at the Moray Coast, a productive birding spot at any time of year. We started at a quiet village, which was very busy with all manner of birds. Pipits, Wagtails and Finches were on the strandline, with numerous waders in the harbour and on the seaweed. Highlights here included Greenshank, Goosander and a cracking Sparrowhawk that made two passes at close quarters. All the small birds were here for the sand hoppers, in great abundance. We even had to flee from them at one point! We drove along to a rivermouth, getting distant views of Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer. We took tea at the Icehouse overlooking the estuary. It was busy with birds, with Sanderling being new for the week We continued inland, looking at a loch, with Moorhen and Little Grebe for the daylist. On to the farmland, where our look for a Tree Sparrow drew a blank. Next port of call was a harbour, where we scoped on to the estuary. It was unusually quiet today, with only a handful of species. The rain was now heading in, so we drove on to another harbour, where we found 3 Ruff on the roadside pig pool great birds and great views of them! We took lunch at the beach, where the rain passed over. Good views of Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Ringed Plover on the beach, with distant Guillemot and the week s only Common Scoter in flight past the harbour. Moving on to a headland, we enjoyed the close views of Eider in the harbour, with a spot of seawatching from the east side. No new birds, but lots of Kittiwakes, Fulmar and Gannets passing, with a few seals checking us out. Next stop was at a forest, where the bay was quiet. The forest here had interpretive dance sessions going on we moved on before we were asked to participate! We toured the farmland for a while after, getting good views of a Grey Partridge family and their 7 chicks! We moved on to the bay to look at the waders on the incoming tide. It was busy with hundreds of Knot, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher. Ospreys were far out in the bay too. A Peregrine dashed through the far side, lifting all the birds closer, but alas the rain hit, so we abandoned and headed to the beach. It soon cleared and we had another seawatch, with hundreds of Seals on the sandbanks and a party of Sanderling moving east and a group of Wigeon moving west! We closed the day back at the Bay, with much closer Osprey views, a single Black-tailed Godwit and numbers of Wigeon. A good end to the week! Saturday 5 September Breakfast and departures

6 Guest Highlights Lee Golden Eagle stoops, Sooty Shearwaters and Storm Petrels at close quarters on the Burma Bank. Bonnie Capercaillie at last! Stunning views of the hen at close quarters on our private estate. Phil Common Dolphins riding with the boat on the Burma Bank, male Capercaillie in flight. Les The first few hours of the trip great to be back birding in Scotland. Also Gruinard Bay. Margaret The Burma Bank boat trip, and the Puffling we saw on it. Stan The whole Burma Bank boat trip, Twite views and the Capercaillie. John Two Otters in a day, freshwater and saltwater! Capercaillie views. Phil (guide) Great views of male and female Capercaillie, the whole Burma Bank trip and the birding on the Ythan. Report and photos by Phil Knott.

HEIGHTS HOTEL WILDLIFE BREAKS Friday April 19th Sunday April 21st 2019

HEIGHTS HOTEL WILDLIFE BREAKS Friday April 19th Sunday April 21st 2019 Saturday April 20th Weather: warm sunshine all day in a light north-easterly breeze, 0900 In the most beautiful Spring weather we