Loch Craignish and Oban

Whilst in Scotland, Jayne and I decided to drive over to the west coast. We first went to Loch Craignish, where we had a 2 hour boat trip with Craignish Cruises, seeing Hooded Crow, Black Guillemot (20+), and White-tailed Eagle. Here's a very heavily cropped photo of said Eagle.

White-tailed Eagle

Whilst out on the water we also visited a small colony of Harbour Seals.

Harbour Seal

Back in the marina we had good views of Hooded Crow, a pair of Red-breasted Merganser, Common, Herring and Black-headed Gulls, and what looked like a pair of Rock Dove. I haven't added them to the year list, as I can't be 100% sure they're pure Rock Dove, but they did look pretty good.

Rock Dove?

Later in the day we drove up to Oban, where we had lunch in The Little Potting Shed, vegetarian/vegan café, and also got great views of a rather scruffy looking Hooded Crow, and a much smarter looking Black Guillemot.

Hooded Crow

Black Guillemot

Year List update:
154 – Hooded Crow
155 – Black Guillemot
156 – White-tailed Eagle

S'Albufera es Grau and Algendar Gorge

Two sites that we visited whilst on holiday in Menorca were the large marsh called S'Albufera es Grau near the village of Es Grau in the north east of the island and the Algendar Gorge in the south west of the island.

Harbour at Es Grau

 

S'Albufera es Grau is the only official nature reserve on the island. It is nearly 2000 hectares in size, 67 hectares of which are a large, freshwater lake. We visited one afternoon, when it was very, very hot! It wasn't the best time to visit, but we did still manage to find a few birds; Little Grebe (several pairs nesting), Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gulls (2 juveniles- quite a rarity here), a single male Pochard, Red Kite, Kestrel and several juvenile Red-crested Pochard.

View from the hide at S'Albufera es Grau

Another good spot for any visiting birder is the Algendar Gorge.

Algendar Gorge

 

The main reason for visiting this site was to catch up with Egyptian Vultures. We arrived at about 11am and managed to see 2 birds; an adult and a juvenile bird, already high up in the sky. As well as the vultures we also saw and heard the following; Blackcap (singing male), Kestrel, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Rock Dove, Red Kite and Raven. Woodchat Shrike and Hoopoe were seen on the drive over.

A typical Menorcan gate

Punta Nati and Cap de Cavalleria

There are 5 lighthouses on Menorca and during our recent holiday we managed to visit two in the north of the island, Punta Nati and Cap de Cavalleria. Both sites stick out into the sea and are home to a variety of very good birds.

Cap de Cavalleria

Punta Nati

 

When we visited it was very hot and obviously late in the breeding season, so the number of birds seen was quite low, but it did include one lifer; the Thekla Lark. We also managed to see Tawny Pipit, Rock Dove and Kestrel!

Tawny Pipit

 

Other birds that can be seen at these sites include; Blue Rock Thrush, Short-toed Lark, Corn Bunting, Stonechat, Stone Curlew and Raven. Next time hopefully!

 

On the drive up to lighthouse at Punta Nati there is a small breeding colony of Cattle Egrets which we managed to see.

 

Cattle Egret

 

Driving back from Cap de Cavalleria we stopped off a wetland called Tirant, where we saw a at least 50 Cattle Egrets roosting in the trees. Luckily for me, a Booted Eagle flew over the area as I was looking at the birds and spooked them into flight. Lovely!! Other birds seen here were: Swallow, Egyptian Vulture, Coot, Red Kite, Little Grebe, Moorhen and Red-crested Pochard.