sign in sign up
<<
Home , Aegithalidae, American herring gull, Common chaffinch, Common chiffchaff, Eurasian blue tit, Eurasian oystercatcher

IN STYLE: & HISTORY

A birding and history break in the bonnie Scottish Highlands

APRIL 23–MAY 2, 2019

Top voted of the trip was the superb male displaying at its lek – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

LEADERS: ANDREW WHITTAKER & PHIL JONES LIST COMPILED BY: ANDREW WHITTAKER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM Another fantastic time was had by all in Bonnie Scotland! This year, more than ever, the birding and scenery were simply breathtaking! Based in our wonderful cozy hotel, we enjoyed superb food and birding throughout an exciting week. We marveled as we explored vibrantly colorful glens, stark -rich sea cliffs, and picture-perfect lochs. We strolled in towering Caledonian forests and enjoyed a constant backdrop of either snow-capped peaks, wildflowers, or vibrant ever-changing spring greens in hedgerows and in the lovely glens. This tour combines birding with a wealth of Scottish history, including visits to castles, stately homes, and bleak, wild, windswept battlefields. We also get a chance to warm the cockles of our hearts with a wee dram of delightful single malt on an excellent guided tour of one of the world’s finest Scots Whisky Distilleries! Sharing many wonderful moments with such a wonderful group of warm, friendly people while based in the delightful Grant Arms, a historic (birding) hotel in the charming town of Granton on Spey, is always a joy. Here, as always, we enjoyed their marvelous hospitality, often being treated like royalty (whom, in fact, have also stayed here) with countless delicious meals (we all certainly gained a little weight); really, how can life get much better?

Cairngorms National Park – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

This year in the UK, despite 100-year record high April temperatures (warmer than the Mediterranean), the spring again was late, this time even more than almost three weeks, causing us to sadly miss some migrants. However, we were blessed with mostly wonderful spring weather throughout and, as usual, our birding highlights were still many. Certainly, none of us will ever forget starting with a bang with stunning studies of the male Black Grouse on a newly found lek! All spellbound, we had to return again to observe them carry out their odd courtship rituals in all their glorious colors. Their odd calls echoed over the bleak moor while the romantic calls of displaying Eurasian filled the air.

We had this year’s two exciting rarities too, first the lovely summer plumaged Yellow-billed Loon (White-billed Diver) at sea, where we all had great scope views, followed by the striking yellow-legged adult Baltic on Black Isle (which, by the way, thankfully was relocated by locals at the same bay on May 23 and this time photographed and its ID confirmed)!

Eurasian Blue with food – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Voted number two bird of the trip was the wonderfully responsive Tawny , of which we had exceptional daytime studies!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

Tawny Owl came in to playback in broad daylight – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 My personal highlight overall this year, however, was the loon show! We had Red-throated and loons (a pair almost so close we could touch them), both in superb breeding , with the icing on the cake: the summer plumaged Yellow-billed Loon, an exceptionally rare winter visitor in Scotland at sea, plus a winter plumaged Common Loon (Great Northern Diver). Four being seen well is far from shabby!

Stunning Arctic Loon (Black-throated Diver) in breeding plumage - Photo: Andrew Whittaker

However, the rarest sighting by far and a real surprise to me was when I found a Baltic Gull, a full mega BBOC rarity, especially after just seeing them migrating north from west through Southern on our great new Southern Israel: Spring Migration Spectacular tour!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

How everybody adored these ever so cute Scottish lambs – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Other memorable moments were marvelous soaring Red Kites, as well as observations which I termed ‘bambie’ moments, like the tiny Graylag Goose with goslings, or the multitude of green fields full of tiny, cute, and playful lambs! Picture-perfect bubbly crystal-clear mountain streams traversed by historic boulder bridges produced stunning studies of the poorly-named gorgeous Gray Wagtail, displaying Common , and the enigmatic White-throated , again this year feeding young.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 We enjoyed the striking Crested Tit – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Mirror-image lochs surrounded by pristine Caledonian Pine forest rewarded us with the colorful much-wanted endemic Scottish , Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Goldfinch, Tree Pipit, tiny , and flocks of enigmatic tits including the classic and lovely Crested Tit, balls of pink and white fluff in the form of the ever so cute Long-tailed Tit, and reams of color from Blue and Great tits, as well as the badger-looking Coal Tit.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

Always much sought after, the lovely White-throated Dipper – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Stupendous mountain scenery throughout with awe-inspiring views over remote glacial valleys, spectacular heather moorlands, and rich deciduous forested valleys rewarded us with ; ; Goshawk; Red Kite; ; migrant Ring Ouzel; displaying male Common (most not in yet); European Stonechat; Northern ; Eurasian ; displaying Northern ; lovely Golden ; Willow Ptarmigan ( a good split); stunning Red-legged Partridge; and herds of majestic . Sadly, the Fenicular railway up to the peak was closed three weeks before the trip, so we missed out on , Dotterel, and Snow ; instead, we had a glorious hike on a perfect morning.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

Red Grouse (Willow Ptarmigan) male caught drinking! – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

We also explored the wealth of Scottish history, visiting the historical sites of Cawdor Castle (linked with Macbeth and Shakespeare) or Ballindalloch Castle and its simply stunning gardens and owl. At the lovely secluded Urquhart Castle we missed seeing the famous Nessy (Loch Ness Monster) as we scanned Loch Ness! Last but not least, the famous and stark Cullodon Battlefield with its fantastic display including that unforgettable panoramic video (as if you were involved in the battle) was a truly powerful and moving site. Sad to think back on a glorious sunny afternoon to a cold windy morning in 1745 when the Scottish Jacobite rising came to such a tragic and bloody end, with countless Scottish and many English lives sadly lost on the battlefield!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

Stunning garden of Ballindalloch Castle – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

In stark contrast, however, magnificent towering granite sea cliffs on the east coast provided us with a spectacle of countless thousands of breeding , the highlight being a fantastic close-up view into a frantic gannetry with countless thousands of Northern Gannets, some building. We also marveled over close-up studies of ; Razorbill; (Guillemot); Black-legged ; Northern Fulmar; Rock Pipit; and stunning Common Eiders displaying offshore. Splendid flowering gorse was ablaze along the cliffs where we could hear the endearing song, “a little-bit of bread and no cheese” as handsome male Yellowhammers proclaimed their territories!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

A very handsome Razorbill checks us all out! – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Northern Gannet at lovely Troup Head seabird cliffs – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 Countless lochs and rich coastal flats rewarded us with large flocks of migrant Pink-footed Geese; Common ; smart breeding plumaged Common Eider; Long-tailed ; Greater Scaup; ; Common and Red-breasted mergansers; ; lovely, striking Redshank; ; Reed Bunting; and both Little and Horned grebes, also in stunning full breeding plumage!

A pair of stupendous summer plumaged Horned (Slavonian) Grebes – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

For me, however, bonnie Scotland brought back many fond childhood birding memories from the UK during this great tour. Another highlight for me was, as always, the wonderful roding at dusk; one night especially, our last night, one almost landed on top of us!

A real favorite is always the charming Cawdor Castle – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 Mammal highlights are always good too, and this trip did not let us down with great looks at shy and lovely . Plus, our incredible popular dusk watch from the heated blind awarded close-up studies of the rarely seen Pine Marten and a of smart-looking European Badgers.

Our dusk watch rewarded us with superb European Badger – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Buck Roe Deer in Scottish Pine forest – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 All in all, a fantastic group enjoyed a truly superb Scottish experience. I’m already looking forward to our return next year! I really thank you all for traveling with us, and I do hope to see you again sometime in the future on another exciting VENT trip to some excellent exotic birdy destination. Happy birding!

Northern Fulmar courtship – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 ITINERARY:

April 23: Departures from United States, onto the UK and Scotland. Many folks opted to arrive a day early and either overnight in hotels in Inverness or arrived a few days earlier still to sightsee south in the UK and came up from by train to Inverness.

April 24: Everybody either arrived at Inverness airport or train station meeting points for pick up at mid day. Boarding our Vans we began our exciting trip through the spectacular Scottish scenery onto our charming ancient market town of Grantown-On-Spey, Moray (founded in 1765). Our lovely base for the week was the charming Grant Arms Hotel (famous for it being the only UK bird watching hotel) with spectacular food and great hospitality and all set in the heart of the wonderful Cairngorms National Park. We began our birding with a quick visit to a Black Grouse lek. Then we offered a great introduction to the exciting local Scottish avifauna along the picturesque River Spey famous for great Salmon fishing from its historic bridge.

April 25: First onto Boat of Garten and a lovely birding walk in the Scottish Pine forests before going onto the famous RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) reserve of Loch Garten to enjoy the Osprey nest and video cams in the plush education center blind and the very active bird feeders. This afternoon visiting the charming Ballindalloch Castle and grounds.

April 26: After another fine full hot breakfast we visited the scenically breathtaking glaciated Findlhorn valley with its crystal clear streams, rich forests, barren moors, and many great birds. Lunch at Ruthven Loch. Afternoon on the North Moors.

April 27: North Moors early am followed by a driving excursion birding around the heather moors of the picturesque Lochindorb. Followed on by birding along the coast at Nairn and Fort George. Afternoon visit to the historic and famous Cawdor Castle touring its amazing lush interior and birding its beautiful gardens and wonderful wooded grounds.

April 28: In the morning we drove into the breathtaking Strathconan valley winding our way birding through forested valleys of silver birch and alder up onto the open bleak heather moors along the rushing streams to the stunning Loch Beannacharan. Followed by an afternoon visiting the famous historic battlefield at Cullodon with its high tech visitor’s center. Here we learnt all

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 about the battle between Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Scottish Jacobites whom were defeated on this bleak moor in 1746.

April 29: This morning after another full breakfast we visited the magnificent Cairngorm National Park and its snow-capped peaks! Sadly a few weeks before the Funicular Train (had been closed) instead in beautiful sunny weather we enjoyed a short but great walk over the hills with phenomenal views! This afternoon we had a great visit to the family run Glenfarclas Whisky Distillery to see how this magic liquor is made plus of course sampling some fine wee drams too! At dusk we had our optional nocturnal mammal excursion to a private reserve and blind within the Caingorms National Park. Extremely successful with our reward from a plush heated hide the chance of observing at incredibly close range both the rare and poorly-known Pine Martin and the cute European Badger!

April 30: Another action packed day began with a drive taking us across an incredibly scenic route over to the east coast to visit Scotland’s most spectacular seabird cliffs at Troup Head RSPB reserve. Here we were rewarded with countless thousands of breeding seabirds on the towering granite cliffs and a huge Gannetery. Birding back along the coast at Portsoy Harbor & Cullen with fabulous Yellow-billed Loon! Dusk trip to see the cool leking Eurasian .

May 1: In the morning we visited the lovely secluded Urquhart Castle and the famous Loch Ness, sadly no sign of Ness! An afternoon enjoyed visiting Black Isle and the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Udale hide/blind along the rich coast for Geese, shorebirds, sea , dolphin and a mixture of including the rare Baltic! At dusk second trip to see the cool leking Eurasian Woodcocks.

May 2: After a final delicious hot Scottish breakfast we transferred onto Inverness to either the train station or the airport for homebound flights or trips to discover more of Scotland or the UK.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 Top seven birds elected by the group

1- Black Grouse 2- 3- Scottish Crossbill 4- Razorbill 5- Black-throated Diver (Arctic Loon) 6- 7- White-billed Diver (Yellow-billed Loon) & Yellowhammer

A lovely male Yellowhammer – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 BIRDS:

KEY:

H= Heard only.

Ducks, Geese & Swans () ( Anser anser) Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus ) - Nice flight studies of close large flocks that were to soon be on their way migrating north to breed in . Mute Swan ( Cygnus olor) Common Shelduck ( Tadorna tadorna ) - Always stunning and what an amazing size difference between the sexes. Eurasian Wigeon ( penelope ) – Great studies of this fancy duck ( Anas platyrhynchos) – abundant. Eurasian Teal ( Anas crecca crecca ) - A recent split form Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis ) which breeds in the northern areas of . Stunning scope views of several males. ( Aythya fuligula )- Cool Greater Scaup ( Aythya marila ) – Small numbers in the Morray Firth on the sea this year. Common Eider ( Somateria mollissima ) - Stunning looks at many gorgeous displaying males. Common Scoter ( Melanitta nigra ) – A very smart close pair of males on the sea. This is split from your Black Scoter! Long-tailed Duck ( Clangula hyemalis ) – Many stunning males in full breeding plumage was a highlight. Common Goldeneye ( Bucephala clangula ) - Great studies of several pairs. Common Merganser ( Mergus merganser ) – Magnificent close looks of several pairs the males in their pink breasted breeding hues. We call them Goosander. Red-breasted Merganser ( Mergus serrator )- Common

Pheasants, Grouse etc. (Tetraonidae ) Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa ) - Great studies of many birds. Ring-necked Pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus ) - Extremely common. Black Grouse ( Tetrao tetrix ) - Great looks at stunning looking leking males on the roadside at our new site! Red Grouse ( Lagopus lagopus scotica ) – Known as Willow Ptarmigan by many, nice looks at this endemic scotica which almost certainly will be split as an UK endemic in the future! It does not moult into the white winter plumage as is found in all other races like in the US.

Grebes (Podicipedidae) Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis ) - Great looks at this cool bird. Horned (Slavonian) Grebe ( Podiceps auritus ) - Simply stunning scope looks at breeding plumaged birds.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 Pigeons & Doves ( ) Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia) Common Wood-Pigeon ( Columba palumbus ) – Abundant. Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto ) – Not as common as before!

Cuckoos (Cuculidae) ( Cuculus canorus ) – late spring so we only sadly managed to see one of these famous bird however it was in full voice and put on a great show!

Rails, Gallinules & Coots (Rallidae ) Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus ) - A recent split from the North American Common Gallinule!

Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae) Eurasian ( Haematopus ostralegus ) - Abundant breeder in grass fields several on common to see them far from the coast here on their breeding grounds sitting up on fence posts.

Plovers & (Charadriidae) European Golden-Plover ( Pluvialis apricaria ) – Great find beautiful in breeding plumage. Was a trip highlight for me hearing for the first time a male singing in the remote Loch! Northen Lapwing ( Vanellus vanellus ) – Common but a wonderful bird! Common Ringed Plover ( Charadrius hiaticula )

Sandpipers & Allies (Scolopacidae) Eurasian Whimbrel ( Numenius phaeopus ) – Fantastic dark rumped North American birds are , Numenius hudsonicus ! (Numenius arquata ) -What a wonderful melodious song of these great bird on the moors, almost romantic! Bar-tailed ( Limosa lapponica ) – some coming into the red breeding plumage Ruddy ( Arenaria interpres ) – Some in great summer plumage Red Knot ( canutus ) – Very distant! Dunlin ( Calidris alpine ) – Some in lovely black-bellied breeding plumage. ( Scolopax rusticola ) – Well seen as displaying male came close while roding over the forest at dusk uttering its un birdlike raspy calls. One group of us had one almost land at our feet! Common ( gallinago ) - * Alas heard only this year so dry! This is a recent split from the similar Wilson’s Snipe ( Gallinago delicata ) of northern North America. Common Sandpiper (Actilis hypoleucos ) - Great studies of breeding birds in full song. Common Redshank ( tetanus ) - Crippling views of this lovely shorebird.

Skuas & Jaegers (Stercorariidae) Great ( Stercorarius skua ) – Nice flyby studies

Auks, Murres & Puffins (Alcidae) Common Murre ( Uria aalge ) -Simply countless thousands of Guillemot on the cliffs however very late this year with most still on the sea and only some 10% on the cliff

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 breeding sites. An estimate 30,000 pairs here. Sadly this was the reason no Puffins this year. Razorbill ( Alca torda ) - Excellent close up views of many pairs nesting on the cliffs. Several next to Common Mmurre so we could get nice comparisons. Black Guillemot ( Cepphus grylle ) – Several flybys out to sea but distant. Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica ) – Good looks on the sea of a lone bird this year.

Common (Guillemot) Murre colony on sheer sea cliffs – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers () Black-legged Kittiwake ( Rissa tridactyla ) – Great close ups on nests along the wonderful sea cliffs. Black-headed Gull ( ridibundus)- Mew Gull ( Larus canus ) – interesting to see a breeding colony on the moors nesting in the heather close to the road. Probably due to keepers eradicating predators such as the . European Gull ( Larus argentatus ) – Recently split from your American birds which are the American (or Smithsonian Gull) Larus smithsonianus . Lesser Black-backed Gull ( Larus graellsii ) – We saw very few this year. Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus) –Find of the trip a mega rarity! This striking dark mantled vagrant from the eastern block countries! Winters in east Africa migrating through the Middle East in spring to breeding grounds. Vey lost and a BBOC rarity! Found again and photographed by local birders in the same area in mid-May! Great Black-backed Gull ( Larus marinus ) Common Tern ( Sterna hirundo ) Sandwich Tern ( sandvicensis ) – Split recently from your North American counterpart which is now called Cabot’s Tern ( Thalasseus acuflavidus )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

Loons (Gaviidae) Red-throated Loon (Diver) ( Gavia stellata) - Always stunning in breeding plumage, distant this year. Artic Loon (Black-throated Diver) ( Gavia arctica ) – WOW what amazing point blank views of the pair! Common Loon (Great Northern Diver) (Gavia immer) - lovely scope looks in summer plumage. Yellow-billed Loon (White-billed Diver) ( Gavia adamsii ) – My trip highlight another BBOC rarity and a MEGA find! What stunning scope looks had by all of a full summer plumaged bird at sea!

Shearwater & Petrels (Procellariidae) Northen Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) -What masters of the air so nice to study them and their odd tubenose on nests so close!

Gannets & Boobies (Sulidae) Northern Gannet ( Morus bassanus ) – Incredible close studies at the large Gannetry, simply WOW!

Comorants (Phalacrocoracidae) Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo ) European Shag ( Phalacrocorax aristtelis) – neat looking with that emerald eye and metallic color and crest.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns (Ardeidae) Gray ( Ardea cinerea) – common.

Osprey (Pandionidae) Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ) – Always nice to see in the UK!

Hawks, & Kites () ( Accipter nisus ) ( Accipter gentilis ) – Brief views. Red Kite ( Milvus milvus ) - Simply an incredibly stunning raptor, what great looks! Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo ) - Many wonderful looks.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

A stunning soaring Red Kite – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Owls (Strigidae) Tawny Owl ( Strix aluco ) – Fantastic scope studies of a responsive bird that came into tape in the daytime!

Woodpeckers & Allies (Picidae) Great Spotted Woodpecker ( Dendrocopos major) - Lovely views at the feeder.

Falcons & Caracaras (Falconidae) Eurasian Kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ) Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) – Very nice to see.

Crow, Jays & Magpies () (Pica pica ) – Only our second time and rare to find this far north. Eurasian Jackdaw ( monedula) - A cool looker. Rook ( Corvus frugilegus ) - Great studies at the rookeries feeding young. Carrion Crow ( Corvus corone ) Hooded Crow ( Corvus cornix ) - nice studies. Common Raven ( Corvus corax )

Larks (Alaudidae) Skylark ( Alauda arvensis ) - Wondrous songster we had lovely studies.

Swallows (Hirundinidae) Bank Swallow ( Riparia riparia ) – Lots more than normal we call Sand Martin. ( Hirundo r. rustica ) – different subspecies from your US birds ( erythrogaster ) which are with rufous underparts and your males do not have longer tails than females as

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 ours do. Males do not incubate in UK unlike your male birds in the US a striking difference in breeding biology! Our birds winter in Africa south of the Sahara too. ( Delichon urbicum ) -Lovely birds.

Tits, Chickadees & Titmice (Paridae) Coal Tit ( Periparus ater ) - common Crested Tit ( Lophophanes cristatus ) – What repeated stunning views at last. ( caeruleus) – Always a crowd pleaser. ( major )

Long-tailed Tits () Long-tailed Tit ( caudatus) - Such a cool little bird and what views!

Treecreepers (Certhiidae) Eurasian ( Certhia familiaris ) - Excellent studies of very responsive birds.

Wrens (Troglodytidae) Eurasian ( troglodytes ) - A great songster. North American birders can now enjoy a few new 'lifers' with the split of the global taxon "" into three species, two in North America: and Winter Wren and this now renamed species!

Dippers (Cinclidae) White-throated Dipper ( Cinclus cinclus ) – Always such an enigmatic bird, a real gem multiple excellent close studies for all. Food included a fry!

Kinglets (Regulidae) Goldcrest ( Regulus regulus ) - Nice studies great song we even got to see its multicolored crest raised after some work! I think the cold winter hit this species hard as it was nowhere near as common as it usually is.

Leaf warblers (Phylloscopidae) ( Phylloscopus trochilus) - What a delightful songster one of the summers distinctive songs for me. Common Chiffchaff ( Pylloscopus collybita ) – Not as many as normal.

Sylviids (Sylviidae ) Eurasian Blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla ) - Great studies of male and female. Greater Whitethroat ( Sylvia communis ) – Scope looks!

Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) ( Erithacus rubecula ) - Always a cool bird to see folks loved it. The reason why the American Robin is named is due to folks missing this species in the Americas. European Stonechat ( rubicola) – What a cool looking bird. Northern Wheatear ( oenanthe ) – Repeated good studies of this slick bird.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019

Thrushes & Allies (Turdidae) Mistle ( Turdus viscivorus ) – Not many this year at all. Song Thrush ( Turdus Philomelos) - A cool looker. Eurasian Blackbird ( Turdus merula ) – Abundant. Ring Ouzel ( Turdus torquatus) – Another of my avian highlights a lovely close study of this hard to find summer migrant mountain thrush.

Starlings (Sturnidae) European Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris)

Accentors (Prunellidae) ( Prunella modularis ) - Remember my scandalous story regards its secret love life involving its breeding biology!

Wagtails & Pipits (Motacillidae) Gray Wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea ) – Always so stunning what lovely studies of them feeding fledged young. Pied/White Wagtail ( Motacilla alba) - A very cool looker and a common bird! Meadow Pipit ( Anthus pratensis ) Tree Pipit ( Anthus trivialis ) – Great scope looks of this migrant just in from wintering grounds in the Sub-Sahara of Africa. Rock Pipit ( Anthus petrosus ) – Good looks for all of this big grayer well marked coastal version of the commoner Meadow Pipit.

White (Pied) Wagtail male on a Scottish Loch – Photo: Andrew Whittaker

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 , Euphonias & Allies (Fringillidae) Common Chaffinch ( coelebs) Eurasian Bullfinch ( Pyrrhula pyrrhula) * H European ( Carduelis chloris) - Lovely males Eurasian Linnet ( Carduelis cannabina) Lesser ( Acanthis cabaret ) Scottish Crossbill ( Loxia scotica ) – Endemic. Nice studies of this cool big billed Scots Pine specialist. European Goldfinch ( Carduelis carduelis) – A true stunning bird as always. Eurasian Siskin ( Carduelis spinus) – Not too common this year.

Buntings & Sparrows (Emberizidae) Yellowhammer ( Emberiza citrinella) – ‘A little bit of bread and no cheese’ great to see them doing well here and a bird that brings back childhood memories of birding British farmland. Reed Bunting ( Emberiza schoeniclus) - lovely males.

Old World Sparrows (Passeridae) ( Passer domesticus ) Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus ) – leader only.

TOTAL: 124 bird species

MAMMALS AND OTHER INTERESTING RECORDS

Bats (Vespertillonidae) Pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus pipistrlus )

Mice & Rats () Wood Mouse (Apodemus silvaticus )

Rabbits & Hares (Leporidae) European (I) ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) Brown Hare ( Lepus europaeus ) Mountain Hare ( Lepus timidus)

Squirrels (Sciuridae) Eurasian Red Squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris) - Such a cool looker with magical studies!

Dolphins (Delphinidae) Bottle-nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus )-

Stoats & etc. () European Badger ( Meles meles ) - lovely looks from the hide right under our noses of a family of these great lookers!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019 Pine Marten ( Martes martes ) – Fantastic study at the hide of this rarely seen nocturnal mammal.

Seals (Phocidae) Gray/Atlantic Seal ( Halichoerus grypus )

Deer (Cevidae) Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus) – Some good heards. Roe Deer ( Capreolus capreolus) – Lots of great studies of this tiny deer. Reindeer (I) ( Rangifer tarandus )

Cows, Goats, Sheep etc. (Bovidae) Feral Goat ( Capra sp.)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Scotland in Style: Birds & History, 2019