Big Tortoises

Traveler Islay birding
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- Day 5
- Monday, March 18, 2024 at 6:12 PM
- 🌧 9 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- Scotland Port Charlotte 55.73288, -6.38495355°43’58” N 6°23’6” W
Ardnave Point for Choughs
March 18, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
After a fine walk to the west on Machir beach and a highly recommended visit for coffee, lunch and the purchase of some very fine whisky at the Kilchoman distillery for an upcoming ‘brothers long weekend’ on Skye, three of us drove to Ardnave Point in the hope of finding Choughs - those crow relatives with red feet and red downcurved bills. A wonderful male Hen Harrier performed for us on the way.
A longish walk in heavier and heavier rain and increasing wind did not reduce the pleasure of seeing 24 Choughs probing the soil for invertebrates and showing off their glossy blue-black plumage. Many sported multiple colour rings - no doubt for valuable research reasons but it made them look a bit ‘manhandled’. I took a phone photo but not worth it really.
Huge numbers of Grey Seals hauled out on Nave Island opposite the headland. Then back to the caravan and snug warmth.Read more
Michael and Helen CookYou must be chuffed
3/18/24Reply
TravelerToo right! First I’d seen for many years.
3/18/24Reply
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Traveler Islay birding
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- Day 5
- Monday, March 18, 2024 at 8:25 AM
- ⛅ 8 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- Scotland Port Charlotte 55.732914, -6.38498355°43’58” N 6°23’6” W
A day on the Oa
March 18, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
A party of five drove to the Oa - a cliffs bulbous peninsular, good for raptor species. Fog was a problem for much of the time and no eagles performed for us. We did see a female Hen Harrier and had a very brief view of a probable Merlin from the vehicle on the way. The fog cleared occasionally to give glimpses of impressive cliffs.
Birdy highlight was about 20 Twite, some males sporting lovely pink rumps and several birds also sporting a mixture of colour rings on their tarsi. Good, distinctive calls as well.
More Cullen skink in Port Ellen followed and then a scenic drive north checking bays for divers etc. Must have seen a total of 15 Great Northerns and some views of very smart foraging Red-breasted Mergansers. Rock Doves gave good views - really lovely birds in comparison with their feral relatives and we watched a relaxed foraging otter diving amongst the rocks and seaweed.Read more
TravelerWhat's Cullen Skink?
3/18/24Reply
TravelerCreamy smoked fish, potato soup with bay leaf and little else. Not a lizard!
3/18/24Reply
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Traveler Islay birding
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- Day 4
- Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 7:58 AM
- ☁️ 9 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- Scotland Port Charlotte 55.732966, -6.38499855°43’59” N 6°23’6” W
A wet and windy one
March 17, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Very little birding done because of the weather. Best Cullen Skink ever in a bistro in Port Ellen though. No photos.
Michael and Helen Cooksorry, I need photos!
3/17/24Reply
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Traveler Islay birding
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- Day 2
- Friday, March 15, 2024 at 4:41 PM
- 🌬 8 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- Scotland Port Charlotte 55.732964, -6.38493855°43’59” N 6°23’6” W
Loch Gruinart
March 15, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 8 °C
A windy but sunny day in the Loch Gruinart area. Barnacle Geese in their hundreds and also many lovely Greater White-fronted Geese of the Greenland subspecies feeding in the rougher grasslands. A not too thorough search along the roadsides for the Red-breasted Goose amongst the Barbie’s but it was not found. Maybe tomorrow. A female Hen Harrier was nice to see and some of the party saw a White-tailed Eagle and a dozen Choughs at Ardnave Point.
Lunch at the Oyster Shed on the east side of the loch was a nice break from the windy birding.Read more
Michael and Helen CookI had forgotten you were birding on this trip. Hope you see lots
3/15/24Reply
TravelerThank you. Yes, it’s an SOC trip combined with family break. Really want to see the Red-breasted Goose but must persevere.
3/15/24Reply
TravelerMust be a marvellous spectacle seeing Hundreds of Geese up there! No doubt you’ll see Eagles, Divers and other goodies during your stay. I have just got home from working all day and find out the Bills passed away. All the best to you all.
3/15/24Reply
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Traveler Islay birding
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- Day 1
- Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 4:39 PM
- 🌧 8 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- Scotland Kennacraig 55.806381, -5.48261355°48’23” N 5°28’57” W
Queuing at Kennacraig
March 14, 2024 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
A drive with the caravan from near Stirling. Pretty wet and pelting with rain as we wait for the ferry, the timing of which has been put back and put back several times. Due to land on Islay around 8pm and then a bit of a drive to the booked site. Will be no fun setting up in the dark and the rain and then eating probably as late as 10:30.
Footnote: I was quite right about setting up in the dark and the rain. Absolutely black and we’d forgotten head torches. Using the light on the phones meant we did jobs one handed. Hey ho, tomorrow may provide us with a Red-breasted Goose amongst all the Barnacle Geese at Loch Gruinart.Read more
TravelerHope you have a great time Rick despite the weather. Take carex
3/14/24Reply
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Ardnave Point for Choughs

A day on the Oa

A wet and windy one

Loch Gruinart

Queuing at Kennacraig

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