WHAT a week!

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CShellducks.jpg
Synchronised swimming shell duck style!

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CBigjuvenilegull.jpg
This has to be the largest juvenile gull I have ever seen, it dwarfed the herring gulls and seemed to have no fear as I know it can't be an albatross, I'm guessing the offspring of a Black Backed gull, there were some of the later around the entrance to Thurso river at the time.

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CPiedWagtailonpost.jpg
Having spent ten minutes trying to get a decent shot amongst the beach pebbles , just as I was about to abandon the subject he flew onto the fence post, just wish all birds would be so obliging.

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CMaleEiders.jpg
This could most probably have done with a tweek but it shows off the lovely subtle green on the males. Love was in the air too with their soft calls, think the snow showers put paid to that though.

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CBirdbutwhat.jpg
Spotted this small duck at Scrabster but it was obviously shy as it would not show me it's face.

[Kenn]

What an amazing week we had, flocks of greylags all over the county, buzzards every where, curlews,plovers,snipe,redshanks,golden eyes,mallards,teal,great northern diver,oyster catchers in their droves,fulmars,rock pippets, eiders,bullfinches,great tits,blue tits,herons,sparrow hawks,dunlins,swans to name but a few.
Can any one confirm that there are linnets in the county, we saw several small birds with a pinkish/red speckled breast?
Finally for now has any one else seem the raptors just as you come to The Kessock Bridge on the north side? There were a pair being mobbed by the local avian residents and they had very distinctive wedge shaped tails that I would only associate with kites.
Any answers would be much appreciated, will post some more photos later.

[sprint95m]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CBirdbutwhat.jpg
Spotted this small duck at Scrabster but it was obviously shy as it would not show me it's face.
Black guillemot (in adult plumage).

[sprint95m]

Can any one confirm that there are linnets in the county, we saw several small birds with a pinkish/red speckled breast?

Linnets do occur in Caithness.

[Kenn]

Thank you sprint95m for the info, much appreciated.

[nemosia]

This has to be the largest juvenile gull I have ever seen, it dwarfed the herring gulls and seemed to have no fear as I know it can't be an albatross, I'm guessing the offspring of a Black Backed gull, there were some of the later around the entrance to Thurso river at the time.

Hi Lizz,

This is a 1st winter Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) a scarce winter visitor to the UK. More than 80% of the UK records are of 1st winter birds like this one.

Iain

[inorg]

Thank you for all the information so far,well no wonder I did n't recognise the gull,have only ever lived in the south.Delighted that some one could identfy the monster and that it's not been roosting too close to Dounreay.

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CDunlins.jpg

Are these turnstones or ringed plovers? They were cleaning small pieces of fish off the spread net.

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CCormorantssnoozing-1.jpg
These too were at Scrabster, there was a group of 3 adults and what looked like a juvenile.

[Rheghead]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CCormorantssnoozing-1.jpg
These too were at Scrabster, there was a group of 3 adults and what looked like a juvenile.

They look more like Great northern divers to me, great set of photos btw :)

[Kenn]

Thanks rheghead do northern divers fish in the same way as cormorants? Have some other pics so will take a closer look, this group had been fishing for a while and then as the sun came out they tucked their beaks under wings and just drifted.

[Kenn]

hhttp://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/Ccormorant.jpgttp://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/Ccormorant.jpg

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/Ccormorant3.jpg

[Kenn]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i316/kenliz/CMaleGoldeneye.jpg
Nearly frooze to death on the side of Wick river but finally managed to capture the male.

[nemosia]

Are these turnstones or ringed plovers? They were cleaning small pieces of fish off the spread net.

Hi Lizz, They are turnstones.

Iain

[Kenn]

Thanks Nemosia, they were real skittish so had to use a long zoom to get any kind of picture.

[sprint95m]

Thanks Nemosia, they were real skittish so had to use a long zoom to get any kind of picture.
In the winter, turnstones can become very bold and almost tame. They will accept scraps of fish, not from your hand, but placed on the ground. If you remain still they will run between your feet.
So, if you are patient, it should be possible to tempt them closer, making photography easier?

[Kenn]

Next time down to Scrabster I will be beg,borrowing any loose fish that I happen to see.
Just had a silly thought, can you have a loose fish and would it hang around on rock corners?

[rupert]

Finally for now has any one else seem the raptors just as you come to The Kessock Bridge on the north side? There were a pair being mobbed by the local avian residents and they had very distinctive wedge shaped tails that I would only associate with kites.
Any answers would be much appreciated, will post some more photos later.
Yes, I've seen one as I've been driving north, actually just north of the Tore roundabout - looked like a Red Kite to me.

[Kenn]

Thank you rupert, since getting back I have done some research and fine that there is a re-introduction scheme that has been running for a few years.
Good to know that my eyes did not decieve me and that these most beautiful of raptors are back in the highland skies.