South Lakes - Orchids time

After the success at Ormsgill, we headed back east to explore the Latterbarrow NR near Foulshaw. As we walked through the entrance gate we were both amazed at the wildflower meadow in front of us. All colours of the rainbow flowers, with somewhere in there - Orchids.

We soon found some that were past their best in an area where there had been Fly Orchid seen but were difficult to identify.

Butterflies soon got out attention again with a couple of Northern Brown Argus close by, and, for once, Brimstone actually perched rather than the usual flying away.

As we completed a first lap of the meadow, we found our first of the specialist Orchids here - Greater Butterfly Orchid. Soon we had found nearly 2 dozen beautiful flowers.

A number of regular visitors were also present and one of them very kindly guided us to a couple of fresh Fly Orchid. Wonderfully delicate flowers...

After a couple of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary had fluttered past, our final new Orchid was a single Green-winged Orchid near the entrance. Lovely.

South Lakes - Orchids and Butterflies (Ormsgill)

Yesterday, Simon and I headed to the South Lakes for a day of Orchids and Butterflies. First stop was the higher than expected Ormsgill Slag Banks in Barrow-in-Furness.

A quick climb to top revealed amazing views across Furness and to the hills of the Lakes. After a couple of Common Blues, the sought after Small Blue appeared, even smaller than the Silver-studded Blues we saw on Great Orme last year. A dark, purple/blue upper wing, and Holly Blue like underwing made for straightforward identification.

Other lepidoptera seen were a couple of Dingy Skipper, various White's and some interesting moths, with Burnet Companion and Cinnabar Moth standing out.

After we had seen well over 20 Small Blues, widespread across the banks, we then discovered several groups of Bee Orchids, as well as Northern Marsh Orchid. Beautiful in the morning sunshine...

Next stop, for more beautiful flowers was Latterbarrow NR.

Scottish Wildlife

Here are a few pictures of some of the wildlife seen...

Harbour Porpoise

Crested Tit

Long-tailed Duck

Razorbill (1st Winter)

Moray Firth, then home.

Friday was the only really wet day of our week in Scotland, but we still made the most with a boat trip on the Moray Firth before the worst of the rain.

Numerous Grey Heron fed on the shored edge, with Cormorant and Shag on the exit from Inverness harbour. The boat first sailed into Beauly Firth under the Kessock Bridge. I scanned towards the Black Isle hoping for a glimpse of the White Tailed Eagle that has been in the area. A brief view of an Eagle sp, dwarfing LBB Gulls over a field, but only a flying away view so not 100% conclusive.

Back under the Kessock Bridge we sailed east into the main part of the Moray Firth. Close up views of Long-tailed Duck, Guillemot and Razorbill, with more distant Common Eider, Goosander and Common Scoter. Red Throated Divers flew past regularly and a Slavonian Grebe was also seen at our furthest point.

On our return a couple of Harbour Porpoise swam in the boat's wash, and both Common and Grey Seal bobbed around the boat. Throughout the trip skeins of geese flew north and south of the firth, a mixture of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese.

Photos by Simon of the wildlife seen this week to follow...

Today was the long journey back. Four Red Kite and a dozen Common Buzzard down Strathspey. Numerous Pink-footed Geese north and south of Perth.

Cairngorms

Tuesday was a bit damp so time in Inverness, but I did get across to the Black Isle and its numerous Red Kites - always lovely to see. Impressive views west from Knock Farrell fort...

Wednesday began a couple of days around the great forests of Strathspey.

Loch Garten was first, with a large tit flock soon encountered giving excellent views of Crested Tit. Finches were also notable with Chaffinch and Siskin most numerous. Several flocks of Crossbill flew over, with calls linked to both Common and Scottish birds.

Loch Morlich was next. Several hours spent here along Allt Ban produced more finches, with Redpoll, Siskin and Chaffinch most notable. Crossbills were quite numerous as well, with at one point a large mixed flock of Common and Scottish giving good flight views. Then a small group appeared that the call was spot on for Parrot Crossbill. Alas they didn't land in sight for us to check out and be 100%. Fascinating with each of the different calls and easy to compare with so many birds about. 

We finished off Wednesday with a drive up to the Cairngorm Ski Centre. Snow Buntings could be heard on the slopes above the centre, but the strong wind at altitude meant they were hard to pin down. A nice Icelandic Redwing showed well, large and dark compared to the normal Redwings... a beast of a bird.

Thursday took us to Loch an Eilein and a wonderful morning with friends. Very quiet birdwise, but a beautiful place.

We finished the day with another trip down memory lane... Almost 30 years since I last visited the Findhorn Valley. Spectacular scenery in the late afternoon sun. After about 20 minutes at the end car park, a Golden Eagle finally appeared with a couple of Raven and Common Buzzard for comparison. Marvellous. A Red Kite added to the raptors as we drove back to our cottage.

Fort George

A sunny, but breezy day on the Moray Firth meant a belated visit to the spectacular Fort George, followed by a more sheltered stroll along Nairn beach.

Whilst walking the walls of the Fort, regular stops to check the firth for Dolphins. No sign today but plenty of good birds out there.

By the end of the day the following had been seen on, over or next to the water...

Black Throated and Red Throated Divers, Slavonian and Great Crested Grebes, Black Guillemot, Long-tailed Duck, Wigeon, Common Eider, Gannet, Great Skua, Cormorant, Shag, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Hooded Crow, Kittiwake.

 

Culbin Forest

After a quiet summer and early autumn, thoughts do go back though to two new ticks with the BB Albatross at Bempton, and the Elegant Tern at Hightown.

A long awaited return north of the border yesterday, with numerous Buzzards through the Southern Uplands and Highlands. Highlight though was a Golden Eagle near Dalwhinnie.

Today, we woke to blue skies and hardly a breath of wind. Twenty five minutes from our cottage in Cawdor (Macbeth quotes welcome) is Culbin Forest. I last visited here 30 years ago and enjoyed close views of Created Tit. They were less co-operative this morning with several calling birds in amongst Coal Tits, Goldcrests and Siskins. Numerous skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew over, their calls echoing around the massive forest.

We walked to Hill 99 - an impressive tower built above the trees with amazing 360 degree views. 

As we walked back to the car we finally heard and saw several small groups of Crossbill fly over. Comparing the call with xeno-canto they sounded spot on for Scottish Crossbill. We will hopefully explore some more forests later in the week and look for their chunkier Parrot cousins.