Part 2 sees us heading off to visit Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the British mainland. We'll start off though, with one or two shots from around the cottage before we left on the drive east. This wee Wren was always being heard, but rarely being seen so I was quite glad to get this shot before it disappeared once again.
Although it was quiet early in the morning, I managed to get a shot of this Green Veined White butterfly as it sunned itself in a sheltered spot.
Hearing a distinct calling coming from an area of tall grass and bushes, I slowly made my way towards the sounds and was rewarded by this lovely Sedge Warbler making an appearance from out of the undergrowth.
As the bird moved in and out of view, I managed to slowly edge towards the area in order to try for a closer shot.
This didn't seem to bother the bird in the least as it just went about its business. I decided that I was close enough, and managed to capture this shot of the Sedge Warbler landing on a thorny perch.
The next few shots have been cropped to give a closer view of this cracking wee bird.
The Crane Fly didn't stand a chance against the Warbler.
Back down onto its favourite perch.
And a final shot with the bird on top of a nearby fence post.
There were plenty of Hooded Crows to be seen, but perhaps due to their nature, or the area being quite isolated, they were very shy and tended to take off as soon as they saw you. I did manage to get a few shots of this one though, as it flew off in the opposite direction.
I think that they're really gorgeous birds though, a pleasant change from the Carrion Crows that I'm used to seeing, although they're cracking birds as well.
I managed this single shot of a Willow Warbler, before it was time to head east towards Dunnet Head.
I thought that I'd add this shot of the older way of making straw, or hay bales, compared to the more modern way in the background. The loch in the back of the shot is St Johns Loch, which was on our right hand side after we had left the main road to drive up to Dunnet Head.
Further up, this shot shows some adult and juvenile Kittiwakes, bathing in the fresh water of one of the small Lochs in the area.
They suddenly took to the wing.
They would then circle around and drop back down to start the process again.
This next bird was one of the highlights of the week for me, an adult and a juvenile Red-throated Diver. I had been hoping to see these birds, and I'd thought if it was going to happen, this would be where I'd see them. I believe that they nest on small, fresh water lochs which are within easy flying distance to the sea. The last time we seen them was several years ago on Orkney, so I was delighted to spot them on another small Loch, quite close to the road. The shots aren't quite as sharp as I'd have liked due to the shots being heavily cropped; We didn't want to move any closer and risk disturbing the birds.
This is the only shot I managed of the juvenile when it didn't appear to be sleeping.
As you can see from this next shot.
And this final one.
I believe that the adults take turns in feeding, so I suspect that the other adult was perhaps out at sea fishing. We moved on to the end of the road and took a walk down to a viewing area overlooking the cliffs, where I was once again delighted to see one of my favourite birds, the Fulmar.
Fulmars are (in my opinion) one of the best birds to watch in the air. The use the up draughts and air currents with spectacular ease, and are a sheer joy to watch.
More especially when they'll happily fly past as close as this.
The seabirds here are quite content to glide past the top of the cliff tops, giving spectacular close up views of them as they do so. This juvenile gull looked absolutely stunning with the sun on it, and the closeness of the fly by. Probably a Herring Gull, but I'll happily stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.
The same bird as it glided effortlessly past.
These viewpoints are great for seeing the upper parts of the birds, a view so sadly missed when seeing them from below. The markings on this young Gull are truly beautiful.
Another juvenile passes by. Once again probably a young Herring Gull, or maybe another young Lesser Black-backed Gull. Any corrections or insights will be happily accepted.
An adult Herring Gull passes by, can it get any better than this I wonder?
Another view of the same bird.
There were always Fulmars on the go, this being another one of them.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, a cracker of a Raven came sailing past.
After the silhouetted views of the last Ravens seen in my previous post, I couldn't believe that this was happening.
Another one passes back the other way.
And once again, offering spectacular views of them.
Almost close enough to reach out and touch at times.
This one is still very probably a juvenile Gull, but the hook on its bill, and the marking on the wings are making me think 'juvenile Great Skua'. If anyone can offer a positive ID on this one, it would be very much appreciated. We did see lots of Great Skuas in the area, so I do know that they were around.
A final shot of another Fulmar, before reluctantly moving on. I spent ages here, taking photos, looking through the binos, and just generally staring in rapture. Fantastic.!!
We walked up past the lighthouse where this wee bird caught my eye, a Wheatear I believe. I think perhaps a female or a juvenile, and once again I'd happily stand corrected on this. Again, a positive ID would be appreciated if anyone has an opinion to offer.
A juvenile Linnet was also seen, and photographed.!! Once again, thanks to the folks on the RSPB forums for the ID's on some of the birds here.
The young linnet then proceeded to begin growing in size.
Finally ending up looking like this. I can't decide between 'cutest bird ever' or 'planning world domination'.!! I feel much safer thinking about the cute scenario.!!
A rather pretty Rock Pipit was also close by.
This rather hazy shot shows just how close the Orkney isles are from here. Taken with the 400mm and not cropped. The 'protrusion' to left of centre is the top of 'The Old Man of Hoy', with the landmass being the island of Hoy.
There appear to be many suggestions as to the collective name for a group of Puffins, this very distant shot showing a 'marauding gang' of them.!!
There were still young Fulmars in the nest, this one being one of many.
And another.
At this point, the only rain shower of the week drove us back to the car. After a nice cup of tea and a sandwich, we headed back down the road as we had also planned to visit another area that day. On the way back, there appeared to be a lot of commotion amongst the Kittiwakes on the Long Loch. There were still groups of them bathing....
But there seemed to be a general feeling of unease among them.
The birds seemed to be less relaxed than when we first seen them on the way up.
Suddenly a near miss was spotted, the instigator being one of the 'pocket battleships' of the seabirds, an Arctic Skua.
These birds are pirates, they chase and harass small Gulls, causing them to disgorge the fish that the gulls have been eating, which the Arctic Skua will then pick up and eat. I believe that they will also take small birds, mice and voles, fish, and even insects and berries, a true all rounder. I'm sure I read somewhere that they also hunt in pairs at times, now that would be something to see. Our bird made another low level run in towards the Kittiwakes, one of many that it made in its attempts at a free meal.
It was spotted before long though...
But continued its low level run in.!!
Turning in quickly, it headed straight towards the now alerted Kittiwakes.
You could almost see it selecting an intended victim.
And thereupon starting the business of chasing it down.
Kittiwakes scattered in all directions as the Skua got in amongst them.
With spectacular agility from both hunter and hunted, the chase continued.
This happened on several occasions, with the Skua always making its initial 'run in' at a low level.
There were so many Kittiwakes here that it had to end badly for one of them.
Another potential target is acquired...
A blur of movement as the attack takes place...
The Kittiwake has by this time disgorged its last meal...
The Skua sees the young Kittiwake off, one last time....
It then does an about turn to scan the water below it.
It finally drops down to pick up the free meal. Not exactly easy to come by, but possibly easier than having to find a meal for itself on the open sea.
Newly fed and watered, the Skua stretches its wings.
Back into the air.
And off to only the Skua knows where. Note the distinct 'point' protruding from the centre of the tail.
I felt really privileged to have stood and watched this episode. The Skua had made several failed attempts before finally getting its meal. There may have actually been more than one bird as the first shot seems to show a lighter coloured bird. I believe that there can be quite a variation in colouring, from light coloured birds through to very dark ones, all the same species though.
The Skua takes a final run past the shoreline.
Before turning and gaining height on its way out. (This actually does look like a different bird.)
A final shot for this post. Once again the pointed centre tail feather is prominent in the last two shots.
That's it for part 2 from our week on the north coast. There was another place to visit on this particular day, but that will have to wait for part 3. I hope you've enjoyed this, and perhaps you'll look in to see part 3 when I get around to posting it. Once again, thanks for looking.
Paul
