Scotland Again - Sutherland - Eagle Hunting

On Tuesday the winds were ferocious on the coast, so as the result of a conversation with a local birder we decided to go inland and look for Eagles. We were told that Golden Eagles are often seen around Ben Stack and Ben Arkle, plus there are a few lochs around there, so you never know what else might be about.

Thankfully once we had driven through Lexford Bridge and into the valley between the two mountains we were well sheltered from the wind, the sun even came out. As there was still a lot of snow on the hills the Deer were still down and this Stag showed nicely.

We parked up between the mountains, cracked open a flask for a coffee and waited, to no avail. We did see Stonechat, Wheatear and Meadow Pipit, but sadly no Eagles. 

As I said the sun did come out so we decided on a little walk, we had been walking about 15 minutes when the weather turned, well this is Scotland, we were met with rain, then sleet, then snow, but that didn't worry this Common Sandpiper.

Of course as soon as we got back to the car, the snow stopped and the sun came out again! 

After this we went exploring again and went via Lochinver around some more lochs and very remote places.... to be rewarded with a pair of Ring Ouzel, unfortunatley the roads were single track and there was no where to park, we did get some good views but of course just when you don't want it there are cars coming the other way and we were stopped in a dangerous place so we had to move, I did get a photo of the back of one of them, just for the record.

Just after this a Buzzard gave us a fly by and the Ring Ouzels disappeared!

A great day out with some brilliant scenery.