82 species in a day.

[kas]

A few friends and I had a small competition yesterday to see who could see the most bird species in Caithness in a day. My team got 82 although we were pipped at the post by another team who got 84. Here is what we saw

Mute Swan
Whooper Swan
Pinkfoot Goose
Greenland White-fronted Goose
Greylag Goose
Barnacle Goose
Shelduck
Wigeon
Teal
Mallard

Pintail
Shoveler
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Ring-necked Duck
Eider
Long-tailed Duck
Goldeneye
Red-breated Meganser
Pheasant

Red-throated Diver
Great-northern Diver
Little Grebe
Fulmar
Cormorant
Shag
Grey Heron
Buzzard
Kestrel
Moorhen

Coot
Oystercather
Ringed Plover
Golden Plover
Lapwing
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Snipe
Curlew
Redshank

Turnstone
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Black guillemot
Rock Dove
Wood Pigeaon
Collared Dove

Skylark
Rock Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Fieldfare

Song Thrush
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
Goldcrest
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow

Hooded Crow
Raven
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Common Crossbill
Snow Bunting

Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting

Others that you arent supposed to count
Feral Pigeon
Carrion/ Hooded Crow (hybrid)

Other species seen by other teams were
Sparrowhawk, Glaucous Gull, Goldfinch, Twite, Knot, Americain Wigeon, Meadow Pipit, Woodcock, there could have been more but this is what I remember. My other half also saw an Tawny Owl last night, but he was not taking part. So ther are plenty birds about

[NickInTheNorth]

That is an astounding total for one day, very well done. I doubt many counties in the UK could equal that in one day!

[highlander]

That is amazing Kas, how far afield did you have to travel to spot all these birds?

[twiglet]

Wow, quite a list there Kas.

[Kenn]

Well done for taking the time and listing.

[kas]

Sorry for the late reply.
The total for the day was 98.

Our team started at Loch of Mey, then to Harrow Harbour, Ham Pool, St.Johns Loch, Dunnet Forest, Castlehill, Loch Helian, Reaster, Bower, Hastigrow, over to Loch Watten, Thurso, Broubster, Brawlbin, Achsvarasdale and all the roads in between.

Some of the others were as far as Berridale.
A great day was had by all. If only I had known where to find those Goldfinch that day, we would have been at your house Highlander.