http://www.cottages.com/cottages/the-waves-29153
It has a nice sun room which overlooks it's own bay from where I saw the following:
Eider Duck, Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver, Cormorant, Shag, Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Grey Heron, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Guillemot, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Hooded Crow, Jackdaw, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Blackbird.
View from the Sun Room
Like all of my trips away this one was not a birding trip, it was a family trip from which I took my usual 1 day for myself to go birding, that said my binoculars go everywhere with me..
On the 29th we visited John O'Groats as it was only 15 miles North. Upon arrival I was amazed by how close the Orkney Isles are, I had no idea they would look as if they were just across the bay! The wind was strong and the waves were crashing over the harbour which was amazing.
We all went for a walk along the coast towards Duncansby Head, the first birds I saw were Eider Duck which I always enjoy, a duck I very rarely get to see.
Eider Duck
There were a total of 9 Eider duck in 3 groups, each group comprised of 1 x Male and 2 x Female, I was also great to see Long-tailed Duck amongst them. Plenty of Shag and 4 Red-throated Diver. My biggest surprise were a flock of Purple Sandpiper, I've only ever seen them in groups of 2-4, there must have been about 30 of them scouring the tide line with the Turnstones.
Purple Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Turnstone
There were a group of Grey Seal which were following us along the shore constantly popping up to check on us. We found out why from a local dog walker, the high tides from the strong winds had stranded a Seal Pup high up on back (8ft). She showed me where it was so I picked it up and carried it back to the shore line to allow the parents to call it back to the water.
Grey Seal
My day out 'Geeking' was going to be the 1st but that obviously didn't happen for obvious reasons so it was deferred to the 2nd.
1st stop was Loch Watten, it was absolutely freezing with a strong wind, species seen were: Widgeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mallard, Blackbird.
From there I moved on to Loch Scarmclate where there were large mixed flocks of Fieldfare, Redwing and Linnet in the fields around the loch. On the loch were Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Tufted Duck and Mallard.
Next stop was RSPB Broubster Leans which is a very large site however viewing is from a single track road with only a single layby which can house 3 vehicles. I didn't see too much here although Hen Harrier and Short-Eared Owl are present. Sightings were Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose and a massive flock of Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.
I then went on to Scrabster Head as I'd been for a walk the day before where I seen Rock Dove and Black Guillemot, other species noted were Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Rock Pipit, Robin, Blackbird and 3 displaying and cronking Raven.
Rock Dove
Black Guillemot
My last stop due to failing light was Thurso Harbour, , on route I had almost performed an Emergency Stop due to seeing a flock of large brown Geese, out came the binoculars to reveal my first lifer of 2016, the Greenland White-fronted Goose - chuffed...
Greenland White-fronted Goose
On arriving at Thurso Harbour I was greeted again by a bitterly cold and biting wind however I had great views of a very close Great Northern Diver although my record shot does that no justice but the light truly was horrendous.
Great Northern Diver
Back at the cottage the following morning I was treated to some amazing views of a Grey Seal mother and pup playing in the shallows about 25 meters in from of the sunroom, this is a cottage I highly recommend if you intend to visit the North-East of Scotland.
Grey Seal
Grey SEal
Grey Seal
We left on the 3rd and no surprise a few days later Little Auk were turning up all along the coast, this would represent a long sought after lifer for me but I suppose it's good to still have some to chase.
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