I just got back from a week-and-a half long vacation in Scotland. My trip took in Speyside, the North Coast, Handa Island, and Skye. I ended up with 8 lifers and many other goodies. I'm working on putting together a more detailed trip report, but until then, here are some of the key sightings and misses:
Osprey - Two on the nest at Loch Garten. I also had another perched on a power tower near Boat of Garden.
Golden Plover (L) - A couple seen at the end of the road west of Carrbridge. The warden at Loch Garten gave me another location outside Nethy bridge where they're supposed to be nesting, but I couldn't find them.
Capercaillie (L) - Two males seen at the Loch Garten Caper Watch and another female seen along the road to Loch Garten the next day.
Black Grouse (L) - One seen at Tulloch Moor (where the RSPB has installed a blind). This bird was not displaying, but I was told that there were birds displaying there the next day.
Crested Tit (L) - One bird seen at a feeder in the woods just above Nethy Bridge. David Carrot of the Tigh na Fraoch B&B told me this is a very reliable spot for them. The weather made seeing others more difficult.
Black-throated Diver - One at Lochindorb
Whimbrel - One at Lochindorb
Red-throated Diver - Two on Loch Insh and several others between Durness and Kyle of Lochalsh
Common Scoter - 3 (2M, 1F) on Loch Garten.
Woodcock (L) - Roding over the car park at the Osprey center.
Slavonian Grebe - 5 or 6 seen at Loch Ruthven.
Pink-footed Goose - A large flock lingering at Udale Bay
Great Skua (L) - A pair at Duncansby Head. Many on Handa
Hen Harrier - One seen near the hide at Loch Mey.
Rock Pipit (L) - A few seen near Balnakeil Bay near Durness and one on Skye.
Great Northern Diver - One seen on the Kyle of Tongue and two seen on Balnakeil Bay.
Twite (L) - A large flock near Neist Point on Skye and a few more at a construction site north of Uig.
Dipper - One at Nethy Bridge and one on the Findhorn River.
Willow Warblers and Cuckoos were everywhere in the highlands. Only had one redstart (Abernethy Forest).
Misses:
No eagles of either species
Crossbills - I had one flyover crossbill sp. at Loch Garten
Ptarmigan - Too many skiers at Cairgorn, and when I got up to the top it started to snow.
Red Kite - Not enough time spent on the Black Isle, I guess.
Thanks to everyone from this board for their help, especially to Ads Bowley for his up to the minute details.
Glad you had a good trip over here Jeff.
The Whimbrel at Lochindorb is an odd record, are you sure it wasn't a Curlew, as the moors hold a healthy breeding population of Curlew, and Whimbrel tend to be passage migrants along the coast.
Shame you missed the eagles and Ptarmigan, but better luck next time!
Be careful about naming sites for Annex 1 breeding birds though, even if some of the places are public - it is that time of year, and the Highlands is awash with those from the dark side...
Glad you enjoyed yourself in the UK and got those species.
We were on the South west coast of Scotland last week and managed just over 100 different species..including Crossbill and plenty of Red Kite.
If you ever get chance to come back to Scotland again try out Dumfries and Galloway as the scenery and birds is wonderful and it is not as busy and as touristy.
Here is Ians report if you wish to check it out.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread...hlight=dumfries