Scottish Tours
May 6, 2007
I have just returned from my first Scottish tour of 2007. The weather was exceptional, providing us with our best eagle success in at least 6 years, with fabulous views of both breeding WHITE-TAILED SEA and GOLDEN EAGLES. The Outer Hebrides also afforded us excellent views of a juvenile NORTH AMERICAN HERRING GULL, 2 first-summer Iceland Gulls, 50+ Great Northern Divers, Long-tailed Ducks, Merlin, ROCK DOVES and Hooded Crows but sadly no Snowy Owl, Arctic Terns or Corncrakes, whilst the crossing secured large numbers of Atlantic Puffins and other North Atlantic seabirds.
In Speyside, we connected with singing Ring Ouzel, Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit and Common Redstart, several Ospreys and 17 lekking male Black Grouse. Of the specialities, just 1 Crested Tit was encountered, but 2 breeding pairs of Scottish Parrot Crossbills was a highlight, one nest containing four almost fully fledged young. Further highlights included Capercaillie and Ptarmigan and an excellent variety of mammals including Sika Deer, Otter and Pine Marten.
At least two further weekend trips are planned for Scotland in late spring/summer 2007 so if you would like to join me, please do not hesitate to enquire for details

