Scotland day three

DAY THREE

We set off this morning in search of the Black Duck having missed it on Friday as we headed up to Fort William. We drove down to Strontian from Fort William taking the loch side road to the west as the Corran Ferry starts late on a Sunday. We arrived early and searched the bay finding Mallards, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Greylag geese but no target. We drove up river through the small town and searched both the river and the local ponds before heading back into town. Locals told us the Duck had taken to sitting up on the crofts about half a mile down the loch so we drove round, parked and walked to the beach where another search delivered nothing of the target.

Black Duck at Strontian NOT!

We gave in and headed further down towards the most westerly tip of the British mainland at Ardnamurchan stopping to admire Fieldfare and Redwing on route. At Kilchoan pier we found a flock of Twite which gave us cracking views as we sat in the car watching them for an hour or so. Raven flew over "kronking" before we headed off to stop briefly at the car park under Ben Hiat. We scanned and found several Buzzard and  a Black-throated Diver. A Yellowhammer gave me another year tick here. At Ardnamurchan the wind was strong but nothing seemed to be taking advantage as a brief seawatch gave just a Seal and several gulls. A Rock Pipit sat up for me at the lighthouse so I grabbed a shot of it for the blog.

Twite

On the drive back we found several Wheatear and a Whinchat. A ring-tailed Hen Harrier hunted the moor and gave us a brilliant watch from the car. It's always good to see these birds but even more pleasing in the highlands.

Rock Pipit

Wheatear

Hen Harrier 

We took the shorter route home bagging several Eider on the way before dinner at Fort William and an early night as the last three days finally caught up.

Eider Duck