SB 30(2) COV 27/5/10 10:55 Page 1 The pair of Ptarmigan were roosting either side of a PhotoSP T boulder, and observing them for a while, they didn’t Plate 155. On a wintery day© in March 2010 I drove move. I decided to move a little bit closer to try and to the Cairngorms to record any birds I might see. capture a picture and I did this every five minutes or SCOTTISH There was snow at 1000 feet, and the mountain I so until I got to a decent distance for the 400 mm decided to climb was not far from thousands of lens. The picture I believe gives a real feeling to the skiers. I encountered Red Grouse at 1500 feet and extreme habitat in which Ptarmigan exist. I backed just a little bit higher at c. 2000 feet I came across off and left them to roost in peace. my first Ptarmigan. There was also a pair slightly BIRDS higher at c. 2900 feet. For people who are interested in camera gear, I used a Canon 40D, 400 mm lens and a Bushawk On my climb I also found foot prints of Mountain shoulder mount. Volume 30 (2) 30 (2) Volume Hare and more grouse. I’m sure the Ptarmigan had been forced lower down the hill to feed, as there John Chapman was so much snow cover and on the tops it must (www.johnchapmanphotographer.co.uk) have been -15°C the night before. Scottish Birds June 2010 published by the SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB Featuring the best images posted on the SOC website each quarter, PhotoSpot will present stunning portraits as well as record shots of something unique, accompanied by the story behind the photograph and the equipment used. Send in your photos now - it’s open to all. V OLUME 30(2) JUNE 2010 SB 30(2) COV 27/5/10 10:55 Page 2 SOC Branch Secretaries The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) was formed in 1936 to Ayrshire: Anne Dick Grampian: Graham Cooper Scottish encourage all aspects of ornithology in Scotland. 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[email protected] Subscriptions paid by Direct Debit greatly assist the Club. Please 0141 557 0791 Shetland: Mark Chapman Front Cover: [email protected] 01806 242401 ask for an application form by telephoning 01875 871330 or Red-footed Falcon, [email protected] Almondell Viaduct, Lothian, visiting the Club’s website at: www.the-soc.org.uk May 2008 © Ian J. Andrews ISSN 0036-9144 Scottish Charity Reg. No. SC 009859 SB 30(2) TXT 27/5/10 10:48 Page 97 Contents Scottish Birds 30:2 (2010) 98 President’s Foreword D. Jardine PAPERS 99 Scottish Birds Records Committee report on rare birds in Scotland, 2005–08. Part 1 T. ap Rheinallt, C.J. McInerny, A.W. Lauder & R.Y. McGowan on behalf of the Scottish Birds Records Committee SHORT NOTES 124 Early records of bitterns in the Outer Hebrides T. ap Rheinallt & D.U. Stiùbhart 126 Some observations on the bowing behaviour of Merlins R.C. Dickson 126 Icterine Warblers breeding in Sutherland in 2009 B. Swann 127 Icterine Warblers breeding in Strathspey in 2009 J. Poyner OBITUARY 127 Michael James Thomas, 1933–2010 H. Thomas ARTICLES, NEWS & VIEWS 129 Wind farms and Golden Eagles, the Argyll experience - an update M. Gregory 131 BIRDWATCHERS’ NEWS AND NOTICES 134 Scottish Birdwatchers’ Conference, 20 March 2010 139 Patchwork N. Elkins 142 NOTES AND COMMENT 144 BOOK REVIEWS 147 The influx of Quail to East Lothian in 2009 S. Welch 153 Quail - a study in minature A. Marland 157 OBSERVATORIES' ROUNDUP 159 The Great Shearwater passage off Lewis, September 2007 - Scottish and British record day counts M.S. Scott 161 American Black Tern, South Uist, Outer Hebrides, 17 November 2008 - the first Scottish record S. Duffield 163 Bobolink, Foula, Shetland, 28 September 2008 - the sixth Shetland record P.R. Gordon & M.S. Scott 165 Franklin’s Gulls in Ayshire and Orkney during 2009 B. Kerr & K.E. Hague 170 Brown-headed Cowbird, Fair Isle, 8–10 May 2009 - the second Scottish record D. Shaw 173 Collared Flycatcher, Denburn Wood, Crail, 16–19 May 2009 - the first Fife record S.L. Rivers 175 River Warbler, Applecross, Wester Ross, Highland, June–July 2009 - second Scottish mainland record R. Maskew 178 Crossbills - some clues for their identification in the field R. Rae BIRDLINE SCOTLAND REVIEW 186 1 July to 31 December 2009 A. Murray & S.L. Rivers PHOTOSPOT BC Ptarmigan J. Chapman 30:2 (2010) Scottish Birds 97 SB 30(2) TXT 27/5/10 10:48 Page 98 President’s Foreword President’s Foreword Since the publication of The Birds of Scotland, the fortunes of the Club have been on the up, although core annual incomes and expenditures remain finely balanced.