Delana & I made the long drive north & arrived at Kevin & Leanne's place at Dunnet Head. There was a lot of catching up to do, as we hadn't seen each other for just over two years! We sat in the garden looking into the bay, which is a stunning viewpoint.
On the 17th August we birded from the garden looking over the sea & then walked to St. John's Pool Nature Reserve which was unfortunately closed due to the pandemic.
Great Skua
In the afternoon I walked to Dunnet Head, which is a three mile stroll up hill all the way! Delana drove up & met me there. We enjoyed the views from the watch point, seeing both Great & Arctic Skuas & then walked around the coast flushing 45 Twite feeding on the short grass close to the headland.
On the way down a short stop by a loch produced a summer plumage Red throated Diver, which was superb. We rounded off the afternoon by a short trip to Dunnet Bay, where we walked along a lovely sandy beach. Both Common & Arctic Terns were fishing close inshore & a lone Arctic Skua was further out in the bay.
On 18th August I went birding around the hamlet of Ham. There is a small freshwater loch right by the sea & I managed to rack up 50 species including a nice Peregrine.
In the afternoon I collected Delana (she had been working in the morning) & we revisited the place again. This time spending time on the foreshore clambering around the rocks. 3 Great Skuas were offshore & a juvenile Pomarine Skua flew by. A Black Guillemot on the sea was nice.
It was a late start on 19th August with a trip to Dunnet Bay. This is a huge area & we didn't have the time to do the place justice. It was a nice mix of birds out in the bay & waders on the rocks at high tide. It looks a great spot for finding vagrants.
The house where we are staying is on the left.
Kittiwake
We rushed back & Kevin & Phil were ready & waiting fro us. We got the boat into the bay & enjoyed around an hour fishing fairly close inshore. The boys caught plenty of fish & we managed to photograph a few birds. It was a very enjoyable afternoon out & great to see the scenery from a different perspective.
Northern Fulmar
It rained overnight on 20th August & early morning was dull & wet. However it soon cleared & turned into the most wonderful day for weather. We had a quick look at Harrow Haven & then moved on to the freshwater pond at the Ham. Both were pleasant places to visit but we didn't see anything special.
We then moved on to the western side of Dunnet Bay & enjoyed a nice walk along the coast. Birds were plentiful with a good selection of waders were on the rocks at high tide. We then went home & spent the rest of the time in the garden.
The forest is mixed.
On 21st August we visited Dunnet Forest & what a great place it is! The Forestry Trust have done a lot of work here restoring & planting trees. There are a network of trails through the forest which extends to around 100 hectares. It was nice to be out of the wind & just enjoy our time here.
Birds were scarce but we recorded 2+ Common Crossbill; 3 Lesser Redpoll; a few Coal Tits & lots of Goldcrests. We also saw a Roe Deer.
However, it was the butterflies which stole the show! Six species recorded including Speckled Wood which is a recent arrival from the south.
The end of a great afternoon: looking from the forest towards the bay.
It is a different world in here!
The 22nd August saw us birding the small restored woodland called Heathersfield Wood which is close to where we are staying in Brough. It is a tiny secluded haven which we enjoyed exploring. Birds were thin on the ground & the only migrant we saw was a lone Willow Warbler.
Duncansby Head
In the afternoon we drove to Duncansby Head & walked south from the lighthouse to the stacks. It was a scenic walk along the cliff top. The cliffs are not particularly high here, so one can get great views of the seabirds nesting.
Only Northern Fulmars were still on the cliffs & there were one or two nearly fledged young about. The odd Great Skuas were sailing around & lots of Shags & Northern Gannets were on the sea.
23rd August saw us birding Dunnet Bay. We walked through the dunes on to the beach & along the western side of the bay. At first it was chilly & windy but it calmed down into a beautiful sunny walk. The sea was choppy but lively with birds:
104 Kittiwake; 140 Herring Gull; 5 great Black backed Gull; 145 Black headed Gull; 58 Common Gull; 6 Great Skua; 3 Arctic Skua; 1 Arctic Tern; 36 Common Eider.
The rocks & beach produced:
106 Oystercatcher; 10 Eurasian Curlew; 36 Red Knot; 15 Ruddy Turnstone; 8 Common Redshank; 94 Sanderling; 72 Dunlin; 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper; 37 Ringed Plover.
It was a very pleasant afternoon walk amid very nice surroundings.
24th August we birded Heathersfield Wood in Brough. 7 Willow Warbler & a Blackcap were the only migrants. A beautiful sunny day but little seen.
On 25th August I again visited Heathersfield Wood & it was quiet, just 2 Willow Warbler.
After the strong winds of the afternoon I went to Dunnet Head on 26th August for sea watching. However I saw nothing! Just local movement of 750+ Northern Gannet west & a couple of Great Skuas. 2 Northern Wheatears; 3 Stonechat & 41 Twite were the only other notable species.
I called in at Heathsfield Wood finding just 2 Willow Warblers. In the afternoon Delana was working so I took a long walk around Dunnet Bay.
Best birds:
44 Common Eider; 68 Oystercatcher; 29 Common Ringed Plover; 16 Ruddy Turnstone; 38 Red Knot; 75 Sanderling; 31 Dunlin; 26 Common Redshank; 2 Great Skua; 1 Arctic Skua; 3 Common Tern; 1 Arctic Tern; 1 Sandwich Tern; 3 Red throated Diver.
On 29th August a Basking Shark paid a visit to the bay just below the house. It was feeding for over an hour & we got some pretty good views.
On 30th August we went to Loch Heilan seeing an adult Little Gull, ringtail Hen Harrier & an Otter!
Then we visited the Camster Cairns & finished off by talking a walk to Noss Head. It was a very enjoyable day out.
The last day of the month saw us birding Dunnet Bay. We saw two Black throated Divers just loosing their summer plumage & then this bird, which looks is a mega rare White billed Diver!
We left early on the morning of 2nd September. We have had a wonderful time over the last two weeks in a part of the country that was new for us both. A big thank you to Kevin & Leanne for letting us stay in their great little house. Till the next time.....
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