Scottish Birding

Sunday 7 May

After Friday’s thick mist and yesterday’s dull, overcast weather, sun at last and a chance to see what birds might be about.  Somewhat taken aback to look out of the window on the 13th deck whilst moored at Invergordon, Scotland as I ate my breakfast to see a quintet of Eider Ducks on the sea below.  Once breakfast completed a walk along the exterior on the 7^th deck produced no less than 50 individuals along with the occasional Herring Gull.

Male (above) and female Eider Ducks Somateria mollissima

Then it was time to disembark and explore the town and surrounds and we decided to take the local bus to Inverness, some 25 mile away.  The tide was making its way in as we departed and very close to the town found a few more Eiders along with Herring and some Black-headed Gulls.  Also noted a couple of Mute Swans, two Herons, an Oystercatcher and a pair of Mallard.  Continuing on as we took the A9 we found a number of Carrion Crows plus a Rook, a couple of Blackbirds and even a Barn Swallow.  Approaching Inverness we also added a couple of Woodpigeons.

Once in the city it was time to take a walk along the river and then cross over using the pedestrian suspension bridge to return along the opposite banking and stopping to take in a tour of the cathedral.  However, walking upstream we found a (true) pair of Goosander and a female Chaffinch whilst a small group of Herring Gulls were resting a little upstream from the above bridge. Beneath the main road bridge a couple of Rock Doves.

Male (above) and female Goosanders Mergus merganser

Deciding to make our return to the ship berth in Invergordon, we manage to take the front seat on the top deck of the bus giving us a distinct advantage when it came to birding.  It was to prove fruitful was we managed to add both Jackdaws and Starlings before, eventually, coming across a Magpie. With the tide no in, the only shore birds seen as we approached Invergordon were the Mute Swans and Mallards from this morning. Then, walking into the dock, not only a trio of Eiders immediately below us but also a Cormorant flying eastwards up the firth towards the open sea so taking the day’s tally to 19 species.

Herring Gulls Larus argentatus

Birds seen:

Mute Swan, Mallard, Goosander, Eider Duck, Cormorant, Hereon, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch.

Eider Ducks Somateria mollissima

Female Goosander Mergus merganser

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