The Newsletter of the Highland Local Group

Highland Birds The newsletter of the Highland Local Group

Issue 88 September 2015

Blackbirds & blue tit fledglings © Steve Austin

Andy(rspbHay In this issue…  Indoor reports: Office Update • Birds, Rivers & Environmental Law

 Field trip reports: Birding towards Nairn • In Search of Divers again • Loch Ruthven & Strathdearn • Assynt • Logie Steading &

- Lochindorb • Banff coast & boat trip to Troup Head images.com)

 Future trips: Tarbat Ness area• Roseisle & Burghead • Torridon &

Kishorn • Inverness area • Kildary Loch & Cromarty firth • Black Isle Christmas Birding coach trip The trip along the Cromarty Firth, including a visit to Editorial Kildary Loch, on Saturday 28th November and will be led by Gillian and Ian Wylie. Contact: Gillian or Ian on 01463 237836

Welcome back to another new season – On Saturday 12th December Doreen Manson will take I hope you are inspired by and enjoy our us on a coach trip around the Black Isle, followed by new Programme (enclosed). Please note lunch at the Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club. The booking form for this event is on the back of this that we will be using a new venue for newsletter with the coach costing £8. Lunch will be a the indoor meetings (directions below). limited choice menu (including Christmas dinner) at a cost of £12 for one course or £16.50 for two, payable on The new venue will be the Culduthel Christian Centre. the day. The coach will set off from the golf club at Directions: From the Inshes roundabout, turn onto the 9.00am. Contact: Doreen on 01997 433283 Southern Distributor road (B8082) (Tesco will be on your left). Go straight on through the next 5 roundabouts & Please note that the starting time for Saturday trips is then turn right at the next roundabout into Culduthel 9.30am at the Highland Council car park (unless stated Avenue and follow the road round – a sharp bend going otherwise in the programme). The time and place for to the right, then along the narrow road with small park Thursday trips is 9.30am at Inverness Retail Park. and woods to your left before turning right into the Keith Barnes Culduthel Christian Centre access road.

The Centre is just up on the left hand side and there is parking at the front of the Centre and to the rear of the Church House. Please note that access cannot be Committee Members gained from the other end of Culduthel Avenue as it has been blocked off. We have now come to a stage where we really are in need of new committee members. Some of us have The blackbirds in our garden raised 2 broods this year served in this capacity for many years (in my case, in (from the same nest) in a Pyracantha at the back door, various capacities, in excess of 25 years). You can see and blue tits nested in a nest box just above it. It was that it is time for a change. In fact if no members come amusing to see the blue tits fledging on the same day as forward to help in some small way it is beginning to be the second blackbird brood – all looking at each other! difficult to see a way forward. I would hate my legacy to (see front cover). be a failed group, so please give some thought to the Meanwhile, many thanks again for all the contributions to position of the group. It’s true that we need some the Newsletter, and also to the NSRO for their help in the younger members, so can you think of any way to printing of it and of the Programme. Note: the drawings encourage new members? The group has always been are courtesy of RSPB Publishing Resources. successful and friendly – please help us to continue in Ed this vein: COME FORWARD AND JOIN THE COMMITTEE!

Field trips September – December 2015 From your group leader

The new season of field trips starts on Welcome back to our new season. As Saturday 26th September with a visit you can see we have once again to the Tarbat Ness area led by Ian and produced an excellent programme of events and talks. Gillian Wylie. They will be hoping to find some autumn migrants, both on land and sea. Contact: Ian or Liz in her first year of compiling and contacting speakers Gillian on 01463 237836 has produced an interesting and varied list of talks and On Thursday 8th October Hilary Rolton will be leading a we all appreciate the work that goes into this task and trip along the Moray coast looking for seaducks and thank Liz for taking on and managing this undertaking in waders. Places to be visited include Roseisle and such an efficient manner. Burghead. Contact: Hilary on 01309 611210

st Keith once again has produced a programme of field On Saturday 31 October we will be heading to the trips, both varied in habitats and in bird species – I west coast, visiting Lochs Torridon and Kishorn, with wonder if we are still in search of the white-billed diver! Keith and Rosie Barnes leading. Contact: Keith or Rosie – Thank you Keith for another job well done. And thanks on 01997 421193 also to the various leaders of trips and to Steve for

In November we will be touring the Inverness area with producing the new Programme so efficiently. Doreen Manson on Thursday 12th. Contact: Doreen on 01997 433283 We will be at our new venue, the Culduthel Christian Centre, for our first meeting in September. l hope that you will all find it satisfactory; it looks good to us! But if you have any problems, complaints or suggestions then Birding towards Nairn please let me or any other committee member know. Saturday 28 February 2015 What a summer it has been – we have despite the weather seen good numbers of young birds in the It was certainly very overcast, cold and garden and this year the kite produced a young one for the first year since 2012. Among the usual small birds windy when we all met up at Milton of yellowhammers have been in good numbers; they have Culloden for a walk along the old A9 certainly found the bird table! overlooking the shoreline.

Another common site in the garden has been the pine Apart from whistling waders and some gulls it didn’t martens, which seem to be nesting in the roof space of seem that we would stay long in the area. However this the house. We are planning putting up a box for them patch came up trumps with goldcrest, goldfinch, somewhere in the wood hoping that they will move chaffinch, tits and a handsome treecreeper as we house! made our way along to overlook the last bay on a turning tide. As luck would have it the sky cleared and we had My favourite moment this year, in mid May, was after a glorious bright sun for the next hour (only!). The blue thunder storm with torrential rain. Suddenly l heard sky was mirrored in the pools of sea water and the many birds calling, chirruping and tweeting. l looked up reflection of oystercatcher, shelduck, curlew, bar- to see the sky filled with hundreds of house martins tailed godwit and knot were worthy of a Walter Scott weaving in and out of the trees. What a sight; they painting. Every now and then the flock of knot were stayed for about half an hour and were never seen spooked by something, took off into the air and twisted again! Not even one pair remained to nest in our very and turned with the bright sun catching their white and hospitable eaves! grey plumage alternatively as they wheeled around and then resettled as before. A lovely sight to behold. Nine Thinking back to when l became group leader l mute swans including a few of cygnets from last year remember Richard’s advice: ‘first priority should be to were grouped together in the shallows, and goldeneye find a successor’. Did l ignore that advice ... NO; I’m still and a few scaup were also spotted. trying! Next stop Ardesier where a large number of handsome At our March meeting we presented a cheque to George fieldfares were foraging on the football pitch together for £1,000 to be used for work at Loch Insh. I have with lots of starlings. The cemetery was a received a letter from George thanking us for this disappointment as the wind was bitter and every self- contribution, which will be used towards replacing the respecting bird was sheltering out of sight with the roof on the steading – recently storm damaged. exception of an intrepid skylark singing tunefully above us: certainly my first seen this year. En route to Nairn It just remains for me to say l hope to see you all at our we spotted yellowhammer, greenfinch, buzzard, indoor meetings and the field trips in the following year. greylag and magpie. Doreen Manson There were several people in the group who hadn’t seen the striking and renowned Brent geese of Nairn golf Reminders

Seating at Meetings: The front row of seats is available for those of you who have difficulty with walking, seeing or hearing, so please avail yourselves of this facility.

Stamps: Rosie Barnes is still collecting used postage stamps on behalf of the RSPB, where they are still being collected to fund the ‘save the albatross campaign’.

Bad weather contacts: If you’re in any doubt that a meeting will take place due to bad weather conditions please contact any committee member for up to date information. In the case of field trips contact the leader for the day.

RSPB Sales. Maureen Macdonald will take orders throughout the year for goods from the catalogue. Remember that the group funds benefit from your purchases and you do not pay post and package. Maureen also wants it to be known that she can take club. We weren’t disappointed as far in the distance orders for bird feed and have it delivered directly to they were paddling in the outgoing tide. Thanks to some your door (post-free). nearby dog-walkers they made their way slowly towards us and everyone had an excellent view of them. A flotilla of long-tailed ducks was bobbing on the waves and a Forsinard: Emphasis will be to buy the small stretches single red-throated diver made a brief appearance. of land surrounded by restored areas in order to help waders which are still declining. Then on to Kingsteps, alas no snipe could be roused Insh Marshes: The reserve has the accolade of being from the reeds but tree sparrow and wood pigeon were the biggest intact flood plain in Britain. The purchase of seen and a skein of pink-footed geese flew overhead. Dell of Killiehuntly allows control of water reserves on the At Loch Flemington the usual swans, moorhen, flood plain and the farmer is happy to work with the goldeneye and coot were spotted, no American coot RSPB. It is hoped to move the reserve office to the this time; has he left for good?? repaired farm buildings, maybe run cattle on the plain at

certain times and build a bio mass boiler to burn Finally a walk around Brodie Loch, a first for me, but briquettes made from local vegetation. birds were elusive and we only managed a blackcap, long-tailed tit and a little grebe, Balranald: Dan always enjoyed visiting this reserve because relationships with the local people were so A thoroughly enjoyable outing with a total of 64 species good. Last year was excellent for corncrake with forty seen. Many thanks to leaders Ian and Gillian Wylie. calling males (probably the maximum number for the

Freydis Campbell reserve). Corn buntings have not been quite so successful with 50- 60 calling males. Feeding stations have been set up but the long term plan is to pay crofters to leave some crops until over ripe thus providing food Indoor Meeting for the corn buntings.

Priest Island: 3% of British population (1% world RSPB North Scotland population) of storm petrel breed here. Plans are underway to control rats before they become a problem. Office Update Loch Ruthven: It will be some time before we know how 26 March 2015 successful the sedge bed improvements have been.

Corrimony: Now 40 lecking males are present. This is always a popular evening with our members and as usual lived up to our expectation. George Culbin Sands: An important area for sea duck and ongoing work of tree removal is taking place. Campbell opened the evening, announcing this was his 18th consecutive visit to the group. Brewster Leans. This reserve supports 500 pairs of waders, which is similar to the population in Wales. He outlined some plans for the future and spoke of the new centre to be built at Forsinard, a building which Dunnet Head: Scotland’s most northerly point supports would house world class research facilities, education 45,000 visitors a year. Plans to develop the buildings rooms and laboratory facilities. George then spoke of into a wildlife art gallery (and possibly a cafe) have the recent bad publicity that had been aimed at the fuelled the long term vision of CCTV cameras to show footage of puffin. RSPB and was pleased that the complaints that had been investigated proved there was no case to answer. Skye and Durness: 40 calling corncrake (males) on The RSPB will be facing some challenging projects in Skye and 5 at Loch Borralie. the future including a rat eradication initiative on the Shiants. Dan finished off his talk by saying his ‘RSPB moment’ was at Loch Borralie by Durness on a beautiful sunny Several well known staff members from Abernethy have day listening to 5 calling male corncrakes. retired this year and although they would be missed it would bring in new faces. George then introduced Dan Claire Foote, assistant warden at Forsinard spoke to us Tomes, who has been working for the RSPB for 15 years next, where the aims of the RSPB are to protect, and as reserves manager in North Scotland for the last 5 preserve and restore this most extensive area of peat years. Dan stressed that one of the most important aims land of this type worldwide. The 20,000 hectares of land for the North of Scotland area was land acquisition. support flora, fauna, Scotland and particularly the Highlands was home to reptiles and most of the rarest birds in the country. He then detailed invertebrates. each reserve: Residential volunteers

Abernethy: Work is centred on forest expansion and play a very important part managing deer. At first it was left for trees to regenerate in the running of the naturally, but it was found that this was good for the pine reserve. April is the time but not deciduous trees so a programme of planting, for Raptor watches and locally sourced, deciduous trees was introduced. It is Claire was proud to also an excellent centre of education for school children announce the presence To help the capercaillie plans are afoot to solve the pine of hen harrier as well as marten problem which include diversionary feeding, golden plover looking control of crows and foxes and possibly Lynx for nest sites. May is the reintroduction (which might encourage pine martens to time to look for common take to the trees!). scoter and the arrival of both red and black- throated divers. In May and June moorland bird counts We moved on to Poolewe where, from the lay-by, we are undertaken. Visitors number about 4-6000 per year saw red-breasted mergansers on the sea, redshank and can choose from 2 trails. Autumn is the time to see on the shore and a few greylags in the fields. A heavy the red deer and they are counted in August. It is also shower saw us dashing for the shelter of the hide where time to pull up the ragwort. In September it is time to we had our lunch. The tide was now very high, bringing block the hill drains to rewet the surrounding areas and three greenshanks, a curlew and a few in October tree felling is undertaken. In winter there is oystercatchers to roost in front of us. Eventually the the opportunity to catch up on administration. rain stopped and as the skies brightened and the windows cleared an otter was spotted on the grass just Apart from the monthly tasks it is a constant job to pull in front of the hide. He spent some time scratching and up small trees as they appear and peat probing, rolling on the grass before curling up and going to sleep. according to Claire, is an exciting diversion as is examining various birds ‘pooh’ or scats to the initiated. We moved on to Mellon Udrigle where it was much They even find time to produce a volunteers Newsletter calmer and we were able to get good views of black- ‘The Bog Standard’. Claire finished her talk by saying throated and great northern divers on the sea, a she was looking forward to the future at Forsinard with gannet flying across the bay and a ringed plover on the all the new developments and she certainly whetted our appetites for a group trip to the reserve. Great Northern diver

The final speaker was Ron Summers who claimed not to be interested in History, that is until recently, but regaled us with a ‘Short History of Abernethy’ The pine woods were extensive 5,000 years ago and are now virtually wiped out. How do they prove age? By taking samples, carbon dating can be used and some old stumps in south Abernethy can be dated back to 4,000 years ago! Loss of the pine forests can be partly attributed to beach. A flock of 7 skylarks feeding on the short turf by climate change and farming methods. Many hundreds of the path was much appreciated by many in the group. trees were felled by the Grant family and again for use in the Napoleonic Wars. Some planting was done in the At Gruinard beach there were more divers and late 1700s with trees from Aberdeenshire. In the 1860s mergansers along with at least three elusive Slavonian not much of the pine forest was left, hunting had taken grebes and a few shags. From the lay-by overlooking over and many hunting lodges were built including Gruinard island we added black guillemot to the list. In Forest Lodge in 1886. Now most of the pines are a field to the north of the bay a flock of 44 barnacle relatively young, the oldest tree found to date is 376 geese were feeding. Behind them was a small group of years old and only the south east corner retains the golden plover although they were rather distant even characteristics of the old Abernethy Forest. I have only for telescope views given you a taster of Ron’s talk but if you would like to know more you can buy his soon to be published book: Everyone was by now quite cold and windswept so we Abernethy Forest - the history and ecology of an old decided to head for home. Despite the weather we all Scottish pinewood. enjoyed the day during which 41 species had been I might add that there is no truth in the rumour that he recorded with the highlight being excellent views of a has already sold the film rights of the book now aptly very close otter. named ‘Fifty Shades of Green’ that is so far ...! Keith and Rosie Barnes We all enjoyed this evening and went away with a lot of food for thought. Doreen Manson Loch Ruthven & Strathdearn Thursday 09 April 2015 In search of Divers again On waking this morning, a feeling of relief swept Saturday 28 March 2015 over me; the sun was shining. Hopefully, this was a going to be a good omen for the day. A dismal weather forecast failed to deter 14 hardy members from setting off for the west Nineteen of us left from Inverness retail park enroute for coast. Loch Ness and Farigaig Forest where we stopped for a walk and coffee break. On the way, a grey wagtail was A brief stop at Achnasheen produced only mallard, spotted and during the break, coal tit, chaffinch, chaffinch, greenfinch, house sparrow and song dunnock and house sparrow were added. thrush. On Loch a’ Chroisg there were 8 whooper swans which were probably sitting out the bad weather, Fully refreshed, we set off taking the Errogie road, then waiting to continue their migration to Iceland. At on to Torness heading for Loch Ruthven. On the way Gairloch harbour there was little shelter from the strong we passed Loch Mhor, Loch Ceo Glais and Loch SW wind. The sea was very choppy and the only birds Duntelchaig where our sightings included curlew, visible were a couple of herring gulls and a cormorant. juvenile golden eagle, osprey, stonechat and pied wagtail. During our time at Loch Ruthven everyone was free to past. It was quite challenging to view birds on the rough stroll along to the hide, visit the beach area or, if they seas but a few razorbills and black guillemots were wished, remain at the car park; which can be a very found along with one black-throated diver. On the land good place for sightings. Our list of birds for the day was there were skylarks, meadow pipits and many growing, as here we added blue tit, great tit, siskin, wheatears. reed bunting, blackbird, meadow pipit, little grebe, After lunch we moved to Culkein where there was a Slavonian grebe and red-breasted merganser. mixed group of pied and white wagtails feeding on the beach along with redshank and ringed plovers. In the After leaving Loch Ruthven, we took the exciting Garbole fields were many lapwings and at least a hundred and road to Strathdearn. We were very fortunate to only fifty golden plovers looking splendid in their breeding meet one car coming in the opposite direction, which plumage. was a relief. Those of you who have travelled this road will appreciate that it can be quite tricky sometimes when Our next destination was Clachtoll where twite, linnets you meet on-coming vehicles. We had some lovely and skylarks were feeding and there were many more views of male red grouse and a pair of ravens. wheatears. Most of the group had by now had enough of being battered by the wind and it was time to head Although the sun was still shining, the wind was chilling home. Despite the less than ideal weather, a long drive so, after a short unproductive walk, it was agreed that we and a short bird list it had been an enjoyable day out in a head for home. During our walk, a dead stoat which had lovely area with beautiful beaches and a rough sea been caught in a trap was of interest to some and, as we forming huge waves crashing over the rocks. Inland the all dispersed, a few of the group sighted one black mountains had looked magnificent with a fresh coating of grouse and one snow. golden plover. Rosie Barnes

Strathdearn was disappointing, but this was probably Logie Steading and a tad too early in April. Three years Lochindorb previous our visit Thursday 7 May 2015 to this area had been at the end of the month and we Icy wind whipping across the Retail Park, had several intermittent brilliant sunshine, snow showers excellent sightings. However, thanks to everyone’s keen are forecast: its spring in the Highlands! eyesight, we clocked up a total of 43 species for the day. Sixteen hopeful birders led by two Barneses set off to Thank you to everyone who came along, I hope you had see what they can find. A brief diversion to Nairn an enjoyable day. Harbour: Sand martins skimming over the river, a pair Maureen MacDonald of nesting mute swans, a red-breasted merganser taking shelter and a flurry of redshanks; on the shore, nothing but huddled gulls.

At Logie Steading conditions were rather more benign. Assynt Longhorn cattle and their calves grazed peacefully Saturday 25 April 2015 alongside rooks, jackdaws and a pair of oystercatchers. The party meandered along the It was inevitable that the lovely spring weather wooded path by the River Findhorn and was soon enjoying the sight of a dipper bringing food to two we had been enjoying should change for the bouncing juveniles stationed on small rocks in the water. trip to Assynt. A grey wagtail flew by,

Driving west we made a brief stop at Loch Droma for a small party of whooper swans but had to view from the cars as a blizzard raged outside. It was not surprising that the swans had paused on the way to their breeding grounds in Iceland. Arriving at Loch Awe another snow shower kept us in the cars again as we watched a greenshank feeding on a small island and a drake red- breasted merganser on the water.

The weather had improved for our next stop at Stoer lighthouse where it was bright, sunny but very windy. We huddled in the shelter of the lighthouse wall to watch the activity out to sea. Many gannets, guillemots, shags, kittiwakes and several great skuas were flying a mistle thrush landed on a patch of open ground, a with an MSc in Human Ecology. His dissertation for this great spotted woodpecker was chipping away latter course covered the River Findhorn and its environs. Over five days he walked from the mouth of the river at Culbin Sands to its source high in the Monadliaths, near Dalbeg. There is some dispute as to which of the streams running into the Findhorn should be classed as its source – The River Eskin or Allt Creagach. Jamie favoured the latter. A short time after this walk Jamie returned to the river but this time went downstream, canoeing, from Tomatin down to the mouth. He found this quite an experience! The topography of the river changes from its source in the west in highland moors, down through the gorge at Logie and on to the wide mouth of the river emptying into somewhere but the small woodland birds were generally Findhorn Bay. This divergent landscape produces a lying low. Nonetheless, along the walk to Randolph's variety of habitats and therefore a wide variety of birds Leap and back, blue tit, great tit, robin, wren, and animals. Writing about his wildlife experiences re- dunnock, blackcap, willow warbler and goldcrest enforced his understanding and greater enjoyment of the were all identified along with blackbird, song thrush environment. He mentioned various authors whom he and wood pigeon... but where was chiffy? The early had found inspirational and who have influenced his life, spring flowers such as lesser celandine, wood anemone his feelings for the wild and of course his own writing. and wood sorrel were already past their peak, and the Jamie’s dissertation became the platform for his book, fresher vegetation (suspected dog's mercury) had yet to “The White River – A Journey Up & Down The River bloom. Findhorn”, from which he read a couple of extracts, one describing the start of his walk and one his feelings at Lunch in a blizzard at the north end of Lochindorb was the source. interrupted by an osprey and a cuckoo. Then, venturing forth along the shore, we found pied wagtail After the break Jamie turned to Environmental Law. He and very vocal common sandpipers. There were red described various cases he has been involved with grouse and meadow pipits hiding in the heather, as including Wind Farm Developments, the Beauly Denny expected, along with common gulls and distant greylag Power Line, The Cairngorm National Park Local Plan, geese. As the party drove further down the lochside, the Flood Alleviation and Wild versus Farm Fish. He talked search was on for divers ...mallard, teal, curlew, more of the many laws that now exist to aid in the protection of sandpipers, and finally a single black-throated diver, the environment. Much of the newer legislation has been low on the water on the far side. A final stroll up the influenced, to the good, by Europe. Unfortunately many track at the south-east corner of the loch was of these laws have not, in his view, been implemented as surprisingly fruitful: lapwing, snipe, wheatear and well as they might be, there being a certain reluctance (grey?) partridge; however the fantasy rough-legged on the part of the Scottish Judiciary to support Non- buzzard above the horizon was definitively identified as a Government Organisations when they question local and kestrel. national government planning decisions. Only 7% of cases have been successfully challenged and these The species total for the trip was 46. Many thanks to have mainly been on procedural issues. Keith and Rosie for a bracing and enjoyable day. However on a more positive note Jamie felt encouraged Denise Lloyd by recent Government pressures on wild life crime and the stronger penalties being enforced on those who commit those crimes as well as those responsible Indoor Meeting vicariously i.e. the land owners who may or may not have been aware of environmental crimes being Birds Rivers and committed on their land.

Another positive is the Protected Expenses Order (PEO). Environmental Law This limits a litigant’s liability to a particular sum thus 23 April 2015 ensuring that the litigant’s liability to pay the expenses of an opponent will be limited whatever the outcome of the case. Unfortunately so far very few of these PEO’s have Our speaker for this last meeting of the year been granted in Environmental cases. was Jamie Whittle, not only an Environmental Lawyer but also an author. Some thoughts he proposed for future improvements included ensuring improved environmental literacy of During the first part of Jamie’s talk he described his both government and the judiciary, securing stronger childhood living on the banks of the Findhorn where his penalties for wildlife crime, new legislation in respect of love for the natural environment began. He was lucky designated wild land and, perhaps of even more enough to observe birds and animals around the river importance, habitat restoration. and even a nearby Osprey nest. This interest eventually A fascinating talk of great interest to all. took him into Environmental Law which he studied along Liz Shannon white cliff face in front of us was crammed full of birds; Boat Trip to Troup Head gannets primarily at the top, kittiwakes on their nests of weeds below and then guillemots and razorbills happily Saturday 13 June 2015 sharing the lower ledges. Skipper John took the boat in close to the cliff, so close that you could easily pick out a Could the last field trip of the current few “spectacled” guillemots. Everyone, needless to say, programme be the best one? That was was busily taking photographs. certainly what the group of 12 who met at Macduff Harbour were hoping for as they boarded the Puffin Cruises boat trip to Troup Head.

The weather certainly wasn’t helping; a very dull day but a huge improvement on the mist and rain in Inverness. Our skipper John was hopeful that the sea conditions would be reasonable and, as it turned out those who had taken sea sickness remedies needn’t have bothered.

A close-up of a small part of the gannet colony at Troup Head © Steve Austin

There were so many birds that the sheer 300 foot cliff faces just couldn’t accommodate them all and the colony overflowed onto neighbouring ledges and grassy cliffs. The day was not, of course, about the number of bird species recorded but to revel in the abundance of seabirds of which there must have been many We headed out of the harbour round the Collie Rocks thousands. and then hugged the coast eastwards passing the abandoned Macduff Lido with its Art Deco style pavilion. We continued along the coast towards Downie Bay and Just to the west of the harbour is an impressive viewed another towering cliff face, seemingly reserved “jaggedy” coastline of narrow, serrated cliffs protruding for kittiwakes in their thousands with the lower ledges into the sea, small rocky islands, the occasional sea again given over to the auks. At this point it became stack plus a natural arch or two, all topped with shag, apparent why approaching the reserve by boat was so cormorant and assorted gulls. On a reef a small group advantageous; it was not simply the different perspective of eider roosted and further on a black guillemot flew and closer proximity to many of the seabirds but the fact past the boat while the sea was dotted with the that many of the birds could not be viewed from the top occasional guillemot and razorbill. because of the cliff overhang.

As we chugged eastward the coastal cliffs grew in height As we headed slowly back we were treated to a hot drink and mass. Rounding More Head the village of which was welcome, if only to warm our hands. Our Gardenstown came into view and further along the old good luck in avoiding rain was running out, but the fishing village Crovie, which had almost been swept increasingly damp conditions were more than offset by away in the floods of 1953. As we neared Crovie an encounter with a sizeable pod of dolphins coming in headland skipper John thought we might spot puffin in the opposite direction. Skipper John slowed and turned the water but all we spied were increasing numbers of the boat and we accompanied them for a while, a guillemot and razorbill, plus the odd black guillemot. number of them coming very close to the boat. Indeed they also swam incredibly close to the coast and As we neared the eventually disappeared around a headland. As we RSPB Reserve we turned and headed for home we met a smaller pod of could hear the noise of dolphins and then, at last, a puffin was spotted in the thousands of birds, the water. The boat slowed and very obligingly the puffin sky became filled with allowed us to get within a few feet before flying off. The gannets and the good view was particularly appreciated by one of our occasional fulmar group as it was their first ever sighting. while the incidence of auks whizzing over For the record we only saw 13 species but we certainly and round the boat at saw lots of birds and the dolphins were a big bonus. Big high speed increased thanks to Keith and Rosie for arranging the trip, which – markedly. Every at least in my opinion - probably was the best of the ledge, crevice, nook current programme. and cranny of the Bob Shannon Early in that decade I visited a bookshop in a ‘Silicon Weird and wonderful collective Valley’ town, and asked a young assistant where the bird books were to be found. He almost seemed to pity me! nouns for birds to test your You will find all ‘that kind of stuff’ in the gardening knowledge:- section he said. Clearly to him the phrase summed up nature in general, namely the sort of thing oldies might be interested in. It was far removed from his exciting 1) An ------of avocets. world of computers. I passed a very comprehensive IT section, to a find a rather modest one dealing with 2) A ----- of buntings gardening and all ‘that kind of stuff’. It was not a good 3) A ------of grebes location to inspire potential young birdwatchers.

4) A ------of woodpeckers The RSPB could not try harder to encourage new youngsters to our hobby. There are exciting junior 5) A ------of terns sections of the organisation, with well pitched literature 6) A ---- of snipe for four years old and onwards. If I’d seen some of these in my young days it would have fired my imagination. 7) A ------of sparrows Also, we must not forget the input in this field by local RSPB offices, reserves and members groups. 8) A ------of swallows

9) An ------of ptarmigans In the hide at Udale there is an imaginative display of bird artwork by Primary School children. There are for 10) A ------of turtle doves (Answers below) example, collages, gaudy crayon drawings and careful pencil sketches. The project, by an obviously inspiring Art teacher, will ensure that to these children birds will never be just ‘that kind of stuff’. They will always have Where will they come form, texture, colour and individual life styles. from? Sadly, it now seems that carefree childhoods are a thing of the past for some kids. Nowadays many are discouraged from roaming far from home. In fact they As an evacuee, Ronnie, who was to live next may even have lifestyles largely designed by their door, came from a totally urban environment. parents consisting principally of organised and supervised activities. Children also often seem not to At first the countryside puzzled him. He would gaze really spend a maximum time out of doors. A fine sunny across the fields and meadows and declare ‘ yerd fink day and many will be indoors with their X-Boxes. Others they ud do summut wiv all this spice’. However, he soon a little older may spend many hours on end simply adapted to become an ace at finding nests. I still recall ‘social networking’. Primary Schools no longer teach his discovery of a clutch of the beautiful sky-blue eggs of Nature Study (except perhaps as an optional extra the hedge sparrow or dunnock. Also he was very subject). Later, Biology lessons which, in my days were adept at catching minnows in the brook and a regular strongly linked to the world around us are now largely participant in visits to the local livestock market. Here devoted to genetics. This is because ‘that is where the we were probably a bit of a nuisance ‘inspecting the future lies’ or so I am told. stock’. To us these were not just cows, pigs and sheep, but Longhorns, Old Spots and Cotswolds: yes we had Also, giving 1990 as a starting point, there will soon be a some knowledge in these matters! The main aim was to second generation of children, with little knowledge of, or slip into the auction ring, where once we were ejected exposure to the natural environment. I have to ask because Ronnie was talking loudly during the bidding. myself – the next batch of birdwatchers; where will they We joked that he was lucky not to be leaving as the come from? possessor of a huge Landrace sow. Eventually he Mike Strickland returned to his real home in the east end of London. The countryside was no longer a mysterious and alien place to him. I reckon he could have been a fine birdwatcher. Certainly the hobby is quite compatible with urban life as indicated by those excellent articles in our RSPB Answers: magazine ‘Natures Home’ by David Lindo who is a self declared ‘urban naturalist’. 1) orchestra 2) mural A couple of years ago at an RSPB volunteer’s get- 3) water dance together, Jess Tomes (our local RSPB Communications 4) descent Officer) talked of her childhood. Perhaps not a rural 5) committee experience such as my own, but similarities such as a 6) wisp life spent out of doors, the freedom to roam, and days 7) quarrel that were just not long enough. Now, I can probably give 8) kettle Jess some 40 years, but between our childhoods little 9) invisibleness seems to have changed. Then came the 1990s. 10) pitying.

Another good place to go where you can just My Favourite Places sit, have a short walk, or go for a longer walk is Dores beach by Loch Ness (NH598348). The Alturlie lochs behind Alturlie quarry is another of my favourite places. It is a lovely I like to go there in December, around the shortest day, place to visit in spring on a calm sunny day and when it is settled weather and looks like being a good just sit and enjoy the peace and the wildlife. sunset. But be prepared, as sunset is about 3.30 in the afternoon at this time of year. It does seem to be getting The lochs are at NH717488: take the road to Alturlie from very popular now, and the car park can get quite busy. the A96 over the railway and park at the shore. Walk It’s a good place to go there on Hogmanay, too, if the along the shore and take the small road on the right up weather is suitable. the hill towards Bothyhill. When the lochs are in view, choose a place to sit down at the side of the track and enjoy!

Early June is a good time as all the migrants will be in. Birds usually seen will be willow warbler, reed bunting, yellow hammer, moorhen, coot, little grebe, heron, tufted duck, mallard, goldeneye, lots of house martins feeding over the water, and always shelducks (surprisingly) sat on or around the furthest out loch. Buzzard and kestrel are also seen, and last time I was there an osprey flew in from the firth and landed on a post not too far away, to adjust the fish it was carrying, before flying off again towards Inverness. Great sight!

Loch Ness sunset from Dores beach (near the shortest day) ©Steve Austin

A short walk can be had along the beach and you can return along a path on the other side of the gorse/ bushes/ trees.

Or a longer walk is good into Aldourie woods – just follow the shore path into the wood that heads round the headland. The path leads onto a track heading towards Aldourie Castle. When you get to some boat houses, you can either return the same way or, if you have a map or have a good sense of direction, turn right up an incline into the wood towards some houses and then double

Osprey with plaice, landing on pole by Alturlie lochs back onto a higher path through the wood back towards ©Steve Austin ‘the headland’ (but there are numerous paths – hence the map). At the headland, find the steep path down to the Another time a fox appeared from the gorse bushes on shore (on the Dores side of the headland) which leads the left with a rabbit in its mouth and trotted across the back to the gate where you entered the forest. This field below me. It looked so confused when it had to keep woodland walk is nice any time of the year and all the stopping to look in my direction as I did my ‘mouse usual woodland birds can be seen; and red squirrels are impression’! But eventually it made it to the thick gorse also present. on the other side and disappeared. And then, shortly after that, a roe deer shot out further up the gorse and Also, keep an eye out over the water for ducks etc. and ran across the fields (must have been spooked by the the sky for the occasional osprey. fox). Steve Austin Further information

Doreen Manson The RSPB is the country’s largest nature Muirton Lodge conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Urray

MUIR OF ORD IV6 7UR The RSPB is a member of Telephone: 01997 433283 BirdLife International, a partnership of conservation organisations working to give nature a home E-mail: [email protected] around the world.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England & Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654 Field Trip Notes

Please note the following for your safety and guidance when on field trips: Our trips are usually low risk and take account of the ages of the group but occasionally they may involve rocky paths, slippery duckboards or boggy ground. You can help to keep our trips enjoyable and trouble free by observing the following advice:  Check the weather forecast and bring appropriate footwear, normally sturdy boots and warm waterproof clothing. It can be wet, windy, muddy, slippery or (even sometimes) very hot! There may be insect bites and ticks to contend with. You should consider taking a whistle, stick, walking pole, map, a small first aid kit and even sun protection cream. A mobile phone can be useful in an emergency and of course do not forget your binoculars and scope.  Comply with route and safety instructions at sites and with the request of the trip leader.  Do not get separated from the group, especially in the hills or unfamiliar terrain. Make sure that you know where the meeting place is and at what time you should be there.  If you have any particular health problems that may slow you down or prevent you from safely completing the walk in time, please speak to the group leader. If you are in any doubt, stay with your vehicle or the bus.  If you are carrying other members of the group in your own car, please ensure that your insurance covers this, as most policies are invalidated if passengers are charged or contribute to the cost of petrol.

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Coach Booking Form

I wish to book ...... place(s) for the Black Isle coach trip on Saturday 12 December 2015 – at £8 per person (lunch extra – payable on the day). Starts 09.00 at the Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club.

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I enclose cheque (made payable to: RSPB Highland Group) for: £...... Please send cheque and completed form to: Maureen MacDonald, 30 Glengarry Road, Inverness IV3 8NJ

The RSPB Highland Local Group would like to keep your details to send you further information about group activities and the work of the RSPB. If you want to amend or update your details or you do not want us to use them in the way stated, please contact me at the address below. Maureen Macdonald, 30 Glengarry road, Inverness, IV3 8NJ or email: [email protected]

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The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654

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RSPB Highland Local Group Subscription Form 2015/16

Individual £4______Family £8______( Please tick as appropriate )

Name(s)...... Address…………………...... ………………...… ...... Post Code ...... Tel no...... I enclose cheque (made payable to: RSPB Highland Group) for: £...... Please send cheque and completed form to: Maureen MacDonald, 30 Glengarry Road, Inverness IV3 8NJ

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please confirm your e-mail address here: ....

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RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654