Scotland's Mammals & Highlights of the Highlands

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Scotland's Mammals & Highlights of the Highlands Scotland's Mammals & Highlights of the Highlands Naturetrek Tour Report 17 - 24 August 2018 Common Buzzard North American Mink Wild Goat Pine Marten Reportt & images by Neil McMahon Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report Scotland's Mammals & Highlights of the Highlands Tour participants: Neil McMahon (leader) with seven Naturetrek clients Summary The Scotland's Mammals and Highlights of the Highlands tour for the week 17th - 24th August might have begun and ended in the rain, but the interim period saw plenty of variable weather with the sun shining for at least some of every day. The West Highlands Ardnamurchan Peninsula again provided beautiful surroundings as we explored the sheltered beaches, craggy outcrops and temperate rain forest of this unique region, looking for Otters, seals and any other mammals and wildlife of interest. We also took to the water with an excursion down to the island of Staffa to see the fascinating Fingal's Cave and a gentle but very rewarding chug around the wonderful Loch Sunart to obtain close views of White-tailed Eagle, Harbour (Common Seals) and a variety of seabirds. Otters in particular provided regular sightings; a Pine Marten visited our feeding station as viewed from the comfort of our lounge almost every night, becoming bolder and earlier in the evenings as the week progressed; and we saw plenty of deer, a couple of Red Squirrels and close views of the renegade Mink! Both White-tailed and Golden Eagles strutted their stuff, we found the long-staying American Black Duck, enjoyed the antics of Dippers and saw fleeting views of Hen Harrier. Scotch Argus butterflies were still on the wing and we managed to spot Common Lizard, dragonflies and enjoyed night-time viewings of Red Fox, Hedgehog and very close Red Deer stags. As always, we were very comfortable in our accommodation at Glenborrodale where we were treated to cooked Scottish breakfasts and three-course evening meals as well as an array of wildlife right outside the window! Day 1 Friday 17th August We met in Glasgow as arranged, initially at Glasgow Central Train Station and latterly at Glasgow Airport – all on time. The weather deteriorated as we motored towards Loch Lomond, intermittent rain giving way to persistent showers. A significant traffic delay at Tyndrum slowed our journey, but after our customary comfort stop and coffee, we then made steady progress. The awesome beauty of Glen Coe was spoilt due to the weather, so we pushed on to Glen Righ where our timing was to perfection as our visit met with a good view of a Red Squirrel on feeders put out for that purpose. After a short wait we then took the nearby Corran Ferry and motored to Strontian and took in our first views of Loch Sunart. A small group of Mallard included a drake showing characteristics of being an American Black Duck x Mallard hybrid. We then drove on to Glenborrodale, arriving rather late at 7.40pm, but enjoying a welcome hot meal at 8pm! After familiarizing ourselves with our comfortable bunkhouse, it was time to offer the local wildlife some supplementary food. This paid off with a visit from a lithe, sinuous Pine Marten that enjoyed the sandwiches and other food outside the sitting-room window from 9.50pm onwards. With no takers for a night drive, the majority of our party had retired by 10.30pm to take well-earned rest before our first full day in the field! © Naturetrek November 18 1 Scotland's Mammals & Highlights of the Highlands Tour Report Day 2 Saturday 18th August The planned early walk at 6.30am was abandoned due to rain and windy conditions; instead, we took to the minibus and explored Glenmore Bay eastwards to Camas nan Geall. Common birds were on show but nothing out of the ordinary, and a short walk to what has been dubbed “Aperitif Point” at Glenborrodale provided views of a Wild Goat and our first Kittiwakes and Gannets of the trip. On the high glen of Glenborrodale we caught sight of both Red and Fallow Deer and then it was time for breakfast! After our porridge and cooked fare, the morning was spent driving slowly west towards the Point of Ardnamurchan. Our first Otter was seen in Loch Sunart at Glenmore, but unfortunately, viewing was obscured by trees. We saw roadside Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Wheatears and bigger birds included Raven and Common Buzzard. Small numbers of Red Deer were scattered about. At the Point of Ardnamurchan we sampled the café produce and then enjoyed watching a small flock of juvenile Twite by the upper car park. A juvenile Lesser Redpoll joined them, and they bathed in a puddle and provided good views. The viewing platform provided an opportunity of watching Rock Pipits on the rocks and passing seabirds which included Manx Shearwater, Great Skua and Gannet and Kittiwake. A call from the sea below helped us pinpoint a begging juvenile Razorbill and attendant parent. A few Guillemots were seen, and Shags regularly flew past. We couldn’t see any cetaceans, so after a reasonable stint of scanning, we headed back to the lower car park and our parked minibus. The strong wind was causing the waves to buck and fizz over the rocks in the bay but, within this maelstrom of foam and spray, we located a fishing Otter. We marvelled at the animal’s dexterity and strength as he was flung around in the water but kept on diving and coming up with items to eat. After watching this expeditious marine mustelid for quite a while, we drove the short distance to the little hamlet of Portuairk and munched our picnic whilst watching quite a number of Common Seals hauled up on the rocks there. The afternoon saw us meander back towards Kilchoan and with the weather calming all the time we made visits to Mingary Pier and a hot-drinks stop at the Community Centre there. En route back to our comfortable accommodation we watched confiding groups of Red Deer grazing the slopes. A brief visit to Fascadale didn’t produce anything new and, after a busy day of travelling the day before, it was great to return to base for 5pm and relax before our evening meal. The food for the Pine Martens was duly offered but not taken up, and a short night drive provided furtive views of bats, a Red Fox and a Hedgehog. Day 3 Sunday 19th August Early morning rain spoilt our excursion plans, so we took to the minibus again and scanned Loch Sunart from a variety of places from the comfort of the vehicle. We also visited the glen above our accommodation and saw Fallow Deer and, of course, more Red Deer. Following breakfast, we drove towards Kilchoan and on the approach to the village we saw two flying White- tailed Eagles which peeled off in different directions. At Mingary Pier we abandoned our road transport and took to the water courtesy of Staffa Boat Tours. After exiting Loch Sunart, we headed south past the western 2 © Naturetrek November 18 Scotland's Mammals & Highlights of the Highlands Tour Report headlands of Mull, espying two more White-tailed Eagles as we did so, followed by a distant soaring Golden Eagle. As we approached the Treshnish Islands. the numbers of Shags increased and we came across Guillemot, Razorbill and Kittiwakes. Common Seals and a single Grey Seal were around the rocks here too. A few Common Terns joined the Kittiwakes as we then sped over to the nearby island of Staffa. Here we were treated to a view of Fingal’s Cave with it’s almost unique rock formations and pillars. We landed on Staffa and after walking around to examine the entrance of Fingal’s Cave on foot, we then climbed the steps and ventured up to the top of this grassy island. A few Twite bounded past us and we watched as several Great Skuas performed fly-by formations around the cliff-tops. Oystercatchers flew past us high up heading south and the trilling call of Whimbrel could be heard as at least two flew over loosely associating with the Oystercatchers. Back on our boat after about an hour on Staffa, our journey back was mostly uneventful, but we were treated to wonderful views of the west side of Mull. We spotted a dead whale a little way off which we assumed was a Minke, but at about this time large numbers of Cuvier’s Beaked Whale were reported washed up dead in the Western Isles, so it was perhaps one of these. We disembarked our boat at Kilchoan at about 2pm and shortly afterwards visited the Ardnamurchan Visitor Centre with its café, gift shop and wildlife exhibition. Our next stop was Glenmore Bay where we watched two Otters feeding in calm loch waters. Our last excursion before our evening meal was to head up to Glenborrodale proper where we enjoyed fine views of a herd of Père David’s Deer and up to 25 Fallow Deer, with a number of Red Deer in attendance too. Plenty of sea air ensured there were plenty of hungry Naturetrekkers at dinner and our good fortunes for the day continued with a Pine Marten coming to our treats directly outside the sitting room window. A one-hour night drive to Salen and back proved to be a quiet affair. Day 4 Monday 20th August We woke to a mild, alternately sunny and cloudy day and we took our customary walk before breakfast down to the shores of Loch Sunart and Aperitif Point.
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