Ullinish Isle of Skye

Could have stayed there,..  another world from their city life,  I think it will suit them.   Scenic views from every window although not a lot of trees,  but if you want trees they are only 15 minutes away at Dunvegan.  With 5 minutes walk to the sea and a mild climate and more friends in 4 months than 12 years in Chelmsford it IS a completely new world.   At the time we stayed in February I was surprised at the lack of small birds,  no flocks of finches no flocks of Starlings and things like that,   but around the feeders that most people have you get some Blue and Great Tits, Robins , Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Chaffinches, Thrushes, surprisingly plenty of Reed Buntings,   in their wood I always found Woodcock and Roe Deer.    Buzzards seem to be fairly Common,  Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles can be seen anywhere on the Island,  and both species do fly by the house occasionally as I found out.   They are going to let me know what it is like when the migrants return,  Wheatears,  Whinchats, Ring Ouzils, all breed there,  in what capacity?     The road from Ullinish to Portree is hair raising but stunningly beautiful.   There is a lot I could say about this place,  another time.

Cuillins from the window

Near Dunvegan

from the garden

Cuillins

Shag

Sea Eagle and Golden Eagle passing

David Junior

Golden eagles David Junior

Sea Eagle D Junior.

Goosander with large Fish

Otter

Hoody

Purple Sandpiper

Buzzard

Whooper Swans Loch Suardal

Blck Guillimot

Heron

Golden Eagle over House

Roe Deer in Garden

Tom and Jerry the lawn mowers

With Katrina

Macleods Tables from the garden

off to see the Eagles

Captain Peter and neighbour

Ingrebourne Valley

The pair of Stonechats have really made themselves at home here,   coming right up to the Centre windows,  even feeding near the tables outside,...   could they really?       Peregrine was seen again near the Scrape this time by Pat,   and it seems the (Tawny Owl) is still making appearances.    20 to 30 Snipe are still moving around,  and still feeding from time to time in front of the Visiter centre on the marsh.   Saw a 100+ Fieldfares the other evening by the back Scrape.   The feeders are attracting plenty of tits with Chaffinches and Goldfinches also trying to get in on the act.   A Black-Headed Gull with colour ring 2DDX and metal ring Number EY45511 was on the Scrape and had been rung by the North Thames Gull Group,  ring Date 22-2-14 Rainham Tip Greater London,  Sighted 10-2-16 Ingrebourne Valley, Interval 1 year 353 days.

Seasonal proceedings

Murmur murmur mutter Gossip

"Hey" Hang on"  what have I done?

News around the Ingrebourne

Bullfinches are being seen along and around the Valley at the moment more than normal and showing quite well,  as seen on Tom Bells video from the viewing area.   Even from the new visiter centre they are being seen and heard.   Lots of Common Snipe around the Scrape and along the marsh ,    there are a number which can be viewed from the windows of the centre.   The pair of Stonechats are still enjoying the mild conditions and finding plenty of insects to keep them happy,  hope they stay.   A group of Redpolls are being spotted at different places in the area.   About 5 heron nests seem to be occupied,  and there have been reports that young have been seen in one of the nests for the last couple of weeks.    A Bittern remains in the usual location.    The Envronement Agency have taken data from the river showing chemicals and polutants and where they may be coming from and work will take place to stop these from getting into the river.  Another 2 contraptions have been fitted along the river to take some tests,  one being at the Black bridge,  everything takes too long as we know but actually things are moving.    More Feeders have been put up at the visiter centre and are being well used.  Other things that are on the move is work on the carpark extention and a dozen or so fruit trees will be planted next to the centre,  play area side,  Hmm.

always good at Dungeness.sat 30th jan

Pick up for the coach at 7.45am,  bus stop at A12 gubbins Lane junction,  plenty of parking space nearby.   £17 for the trip with the Havering local RSPB group;  cheap at the price.  Don't have to worry about driving,  so we just sit back and relax.    We stopped at the power station first where the Observatory guy gave us the lowdown on what was about,  so for an hour some went off to see the Glaucous Gull while others went to the shingle mound to watch for seabirds.   Plenty of Razorbills,  Guillimots,  Divers and Gulls to see.   After that we were back on the coach and drove back round to the RSPB entrance where some of the guys alighted to start from ARC pits and the rest of us carried on to the visiter centre.   Straight away opposite the centre  were the 2 Long-Eared Owls with one sitting out all day long giving good views.   From then on we saw up to 4 Great White Egrets,  Marsh Harriers,  Hen Harrier,  Buzzard, Slav Grebe, half a dozen Red Head Smews,  1 m 2 f Goosanders, at least 2 Dartford Warblers and plenty more.  At great day out in the company of Russ,  Ron Colson, Steve and Steve,  Mike Hughes and George,  Malcom,  Rita and all the others.  Arrived home 6.30pm.

No one could do anything about the twigs

Didn't matter

Sea Eagles, Isle of Skye, David McGough Junior.

Now that Son David has established himself on Skye he is now going on bird surveys with a neighbour who has been doing them for some time,  he seems to be enjoying himself   learning where different species hang out,  can't wait to get there.     Photo's by David McGough Junior.     (Skye Birds).

Sea Eagle, Oronsay Loch Bracadale.

Sea Eagle, Oronsay, Skye.

Sea Otter.

1st January 2016 Ingrebourne Valley

Combined  number of birds recorded was 67 ,  this is without a number of birds missing that were seen up to the day before,  such as 2 Pintail, 2 Shelduck and the Owls,  thats birding.