Trip to the Cairngorms (24th to 30th July 2017)

We arrived at Blair Atholl on the Monday and from here we were able to explore the local lochs and the rest of the Cairngorms throughout the week.

Despite the constant forecasts of persistent rain, the only heavy downpours happened on the Wednesday. The rest of the week resulted in more localised light rain showers that didn't last for more than an hour or two. 

Rather than writing a report on all the places we visited I have included a summary below of what was seen and where. However, the main places of interest were RSPB Loch Garten, Loch of the Lowes, and Cairngorm Mountain.

Red Squirrel - Seen close to our campsite in Blair Atholl but also seen on the peanut feeders at RSPB Loch Garten, outside the Osprey Centre.

Osprey - The first pair were seen on the Tuesday at Loch of the Lowes. There were good views of the fledgling, as it was perched close to the nest (with blue ring PH2). It then proceeded to devour a pike that had be given to it by one of the parents. 

The second pair also provided a similar spectacle at Loch Garten. The parent suddenly appeared, with the younger bird, and dropped the fish in the nest for the juvenile to take elsewhere and eat. 

Snow Bunting at Cairngorm Mountain

Snow Bunting - At least 2-3 individuals were seen in close proximity to the viewing platform at the top of the Cairngorm Mountain. 

Crested Tit - There were 3-4 individuals seen in the pine trees, on the left, close to the entrance at Loch Garten at around 10.00am. Despite our best efforts we were not able to find them later that morning.

My son as we walked across the highlands.

At the entrance to the RSPB Loch Garten reserve.

Siskin -  A pair were seen, through the glass doors, on the feeders just outside the Osprey Centre at RSPB Loch Garten. 

Yellowhammer - A pair were seen on the feeders outside the windows of the visitor centre (see image below) at the Loch of the Lowes reserve.

Spotted Flycatcher - A single bird was seen in the woodland, alongside the pathway, as we made our way back from the walk to Loch Mallachie.

Dippers - A total of 5 individuals were seen as we walked along the River Tilt from Blair Atholl to Aldclune. At one point 3 were seen within a few meters of each other, perched on the rocks, underneath the bridge of the A9.

Viewing window for the feeders at the Loch of the Lowes visitor centre.

Red Grouse - A single bird was seen from the window of the train, on the funicular railway, as we made our down the Cairngorm Mountain. 

Wheatear - What appeared to be a recent fledgling, was seen perched on a fence post close to the car park for the funicular railway.

Meadow Pipit - Also seen at the bottom of the Cairngorm Mountain, close to the ticket station.

Grey Wagtails - They were seen at several locations around the local area, but far the highest numbers were seen along the rocky shoreline on the River Tilt between Blair Atholl and Aldclune.

Sightings at Sculthorpe Moor (1st July 2017)

Although not a great day for bird sightings, Sculthorpe Moor did produce a range of butterfly species across the reserve. The following was seen throughout the day:

Red Admiral

Comma

Small Tortoiseshell

Small Skipper

Small White

Large White

Ringlet

Meadow Brown 

A single White Admiral had also been seen close to the Woodland Hide, but despite our best efforts we were unable to find it. 

However, my 4 year-old-son was really excited to see a Stoat for the very first time. It was running towards us on the boardwalk, close to the Water Vole Bridge, before disappearing into the undergrowth.

It did appear to have at least 2-3 young close-by, considering the sounds emanating from the bushes, but there was no clear sighting.

The following was seen since 8.00am:

Reed Warbler x 8

Bullfinch x 6

Chaffinch x 8

Swift x 2

Swallow x 1

Sand Martin x 4

Nuthatch x 1 - It was seen using the feeders close to the entrance of the reserve.

Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 - Seen feeding on the ground directly opposite the Woodland Hide.

Wren x 3

Buzzard x 1

Reed Bunting x 7

Pied Wagtail x 1

Goldfinch x 1

Kingfisher x 1

Kestrel x 1

Jay x 1 

Sightings at Cley Marshes (25th June 2017)

After a prolonged absence I finally returned to Cley Marshes on the Sunday. The weather was considerably more comfortable than it had been in recent weeks, with temperatures staying constant at around 20°C.

The following was seen throughout the morning since 9.00am:

Kestrel x 1 - Hovering alongside the Coast Road when we arrived.

Little Egret x 5

Spoonbill x 1 - Seen at a distance, from the East Bank, flying across Pat's Pool.

Sandwich Tern x 41 - All seen directly opposite Richardson's Lookout on Arnold's Marsh.

Common Tern x 9 - They were seen at the same location on Arnold's Marsh.

Oystercatcher x 11

Avocet x 19

Reed Warbler x 1

Grey Heron x 1

Skylark x 2 - They were seen not far from the Beach Car park, alongside the coastal path.

Sedge Warbler x 1

Also seen along the East Bank were large numbers of Cinnabar caterpillars.

Cinnabar Caterpillars (East Bank)

Sightings at Sculthorpe Moor (10th June 2017)

Another humid and uncomfortable day at Sculthorpe Moor, with temperatures rising to around 22°C. Despite the warm weather, only a limited number of species were seen throughout the day.

The following was seen on the reserve from around 8.00am:
Marsh Tit x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 4 - This included a juvenile seen on the southern edge of oak fen.
Bullfinch x 4
Reed Bunting x 5
Sedge Warbler x 2
Reed Warbler x 2
Kestrel x 1 - A single bird seen hovering at the back of the scrape.
Chaffinch x 5
Little Grebe x 2
Buzzard x 4
Nuthatch x 1
Swallow x 1

Sightings at Sculthorpe Moor (28th May 2017)

It continued to be yet another exceedingly hot day, with temperatures easily rising above 20°C. The cloud cover in the morning helped to temporarily avert the worst of the heat until the afternoon, but high humidity made walking around the reserve particularly uncomfortable.

Throughout the morning it was pleasing to see the female Marsh Harrier continually patrolling the scrape and reed beds. At one point see appeared to have caught a small bird, possibly a warbler, and she would occasionally dive into the reeds just in front of the tower hide.

The following was seen since 8.00am:
Nuthatch x 2
Cuckoo x 1 - At least one was heard throughout the morning, then seen briefly near the River Viewing Platform.
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Marsh Harrier x 1 - As previously mentioned, the single female was seen patrolling the scrape throughout the morning.
Buzzard x 2
Linnet x 2 - A pair were seen briefly, on the ground, alongside Victor's Hide.
Lapwing x 2
Sand Martin x 6
Swallow x 1
Blackcap x 1
Reed Warbler x 4
Sedge Warbler x 1
Reed Bunting x 6
Sparrowhawk x 1
Bullfinch x 3
Chaffinch x 8
Jay x 2
Blue Tit x 3
Blackbird x 3
Dunnock x 2
Great Tit x 2
Treecreeper x 1 - It was seen at the bottom of the ramp leading up to the Tower Hide.
Song Thrush x 1
Little Grebe x 1
Kestrel x 1
Greenfinch x 3

Sightings at Sparham Pools (21st May 2017)

I arrived at 8.00am to find that the weather was surprisingly warm and with such a little amount of cloud cover the temperatures remained constant at around 17-18°C.

It was well worth the visit because at 8.30am I had an excellent view of a pair of Cuckoo who continued to call to one another as they flew across the water and then headed in a westerly direction, towards Lyng. They continued to call throughout the morning but this was my only sighting. 

However, the best was yet to come because at around 8.40am, I witnessed a pair of Cranes as they flew across the field on the northern edge of the reserve. The pair continued to call quite loudly as they too flew in a westward direction, towards the River Wensum.

The following were seen between 8.00am and 10.30am:

Blackbird x 5

Long-tailed Tit x 3

Blue Tit x 6

Canada Goose x 3

Tufted Duck x 3

Black-headed Gull x 93 - Similar numbers to those that were counted during the previous WeBS count on the 14th May.

Coot x 9

Great Crested Grebe x 3

Cuckoo x 2 - As mentioned previously, a pair were seen calling to one another then headed west.

Common Tern x 2 - The pair remained on the island, alongside the gulls, throughout most of the morning.

Reed Warbler x 2 - Several were heard throughout the morning, with several Sedge Warblers, but these were the only the pair that were seen.

Crane x 2 - They were calling loudly as they flew across the field on the northern edge of the reserve.

Kestrel x 1

Cormorant x 1

Mute Swan x 1

Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1

Great Tit x 2

Mallard x 3

Swift x 7

Sightings at Sculthorpe Moor (13th May 2017)

It was another quiet afternoon at Sculthorpe Moor, after I began my warden duties at around 1.00pm. The weather was very changeable, but temperatures eventually reached 16°C-17°C.

There was plenty of Sand Martin activity over the scrape throughout the afternoon and there were further reports of them using the artificial sand bank by Victor's Hide.

Bullfinch x 2

Blackcap x 1 - A single male seen close to the Frank Jarvis hide.

Greenfinch x 3

Jay x 1

Reed Bunting x 2
Sedge Warbler x 1

Tufted Duck x 2 - A pair were seen opposite Whitley Hide, at the end of the channel of water.

Swallow x 1

Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 - A single female seen on the southern edge of Oak Fen, near the feeders.

Sand Martin x 8 - As mentioned before, they were seen continually flying above the scrape.

Canada Goose x 2

Nuthatch x 1

Little Grebe x 3

Little Egret x 2 - The pair were seen together as they flew over the scrape in a westerly direction.

Marsh Tit x 1