A bit of Birding on the Isle of Arran

 We have recently returned from a week on the Isle of Arran. We managed a few days birding, as we had other things planned and also the weather intervened. Also for the last bit there is a lack of photos as my camera started doing weird things and over exposing everything I took. I have been on to Nikon support but they can't come up with a reason why it's doing what it is, so they want me to send the camera in!

Anyway here are the edited highlights; I'm going to start with a Red Squirrel fest at Brodick Castle, there were at least five seen from the Squirrel hide:

A few birds seen there too:

Robin,

Chaffinch,

Siskin,

Pheasant

and Coal Tit

as well as Blue and Great Tits of course.

We saw Male Hen Harriers on a number of occasions, one even flewpast the back garden of the cottage we were staying in, didn't have the camera handy for that one, but did get some shots up on 'the String'

Elsewhere, there were lots of Ringed Plover about,

nesting Common Gulls,

Herons,

Herring Gulls,

Black Guillemots,

Song Thrush,

a Whimbrel,

Oystercatchers,

Turnstone,

Nesting Oystrercatchers,

Common Gull again,

and Rock Pipit.

We saw loads more but by now my Camera had packed up completely. Our first distant Cuckoos of the year, Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipits, Swallows, House Martin, Red-breasted Merganser, Shelduck, Eider, Common Sandpiper and Hooded Crow, plus all the other garden birds of course.

Trials and Tribulations in the Cairngorms (Braemar)

 Last Saturday we took one of regular trips up to the Cairngorms and stayed in Braemar for the week. We settled in on the Saturday afternoon after meandering through Glenshee, seeing Red Grouse, Red Deer and distant Mountain Hare. Then about 6pm the power went off! We still had a flask of hot water and had bought some cooked chicken with us, so chicken salad for tea!

During the night the power came back on, Hurrah! It was ****** cold though as all the heating was electric!  But to play safe we didn't go far and stayed local, around the Linn of Dee and Glenshee. With sightings of Dipper on Clunie Water that was good start and some Siskin on the golf course,

but nothing on the River Dee and just Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits on the Mar Lodge Estate. We came back early to make sure we could cook and make some flasks up just in case the power went again. Then storm Corrie hit and the power went off again about 10pm. So early to bed! 

The power was still off in the morning so no shower (Electric!!) Upon checking, the power wasn't due back on until Tuesday, so we took the decision to head home for the night (we were only 1 hour 40mins away) and get warm and make sure we could get hot food and drinks.

We got a message Tuesday morning that the power was back on, so we drove back via RSPB Loch Kinnordy, only to find the reserve was closed due to fallen and dangerous trees. So plan B, Loch Lintrathen which is Scottish Wildlife Trust and has hides only to find fallen trees thwarting us again. We therefore carried on to Backwater Reservoir, seeing very little, just some Crows, Rooks, a Buzzard, but finally two male Goosander by the dam. So back to Braemar, taking the old military road that runs parallel to the A93 as we dropped down into the Glen, again Dipper were seen on Clunie Water. We did get good views of Red Grouse at Glenshee:

and Red Deer:

Finally back on plan on the Wednesday we went to Lock Muick on the Balmoral Estate. Finally some photos!

Not much wildlife, so some scenic shots!

Having said not much wildlife we did see a juvenile Golden Eagle (flew over the car as we got there with prey and disappeared over the ridge before we could stop and get the camera!) and also a couple of Black Grouse that flew over on our walk.

The next morning back in Braemar we had a bit of a Red Squirrel fest outside our flat:

We drove over the Lecht and on to Garten today, hoping for Snow Bunting at the Lecht and Crested Tit at Garten. We saw neither! In past years they have been really reliable at both spots but not this year. Plenty of obliging Coal Tit though:

Our final day and we visited the Muir of Dinnet NNR where we added Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldeneye, and Whooper Swans. But again very quiet. So a few pics from Dinnet:

Local Birding Continued..

 So a couple of other things to add a walk in Blairadam Forest and another at Burleigh Sands at Loch Leven. So on the birding front, not much to report at Blairadam, although a small group of Siskin put in an appearance.

Siskin

Robin

Cessna 152

It was a lovely day, not many birds, so I added the Cessna that flew over while we were having a coffee!

So on to Loch Leven and the walks around Burleigh. 

From the hide:

Cormorant, Black-headed Gull & Common Gull

Nice View!

Fly by from the nearby Gliding Club

Grey Heron

Chaffinch

Tree Pipit

Treecreeper

Burleigh is a great place for birds and a great (flat!) walk. Although it was quite quiet with a bit of as flurry at the end. The Tree Pipit was just in the copse by the car park and the Treecreeper was on a tree just 3 feet from the car as we got back!