Many Firths

 Monday May 19

My favourite outing in years past, was to Dunnett Head and Bay, going via the Flow Country from Helmsdale ,and returning via the faster coast road. A lot to drive in one day now, and I haven't been able to find suitable accommodation for an overnight stay. 

The east coast must have been a very long route north before bridges were built across the many firths. First, the Kessock Bridge across the Moray Firth, then Cromarty Firth, followed by our destination, Loch Fleet. Why that's called a loch and the other indentations firths I don't know.  A lovely drive in dry, sunny conditions - yet again. The farmers are getting really worried at the lack of rain. Caribbean blue water, freshly green trees, and bright, golden, gorse-covered hillsides.

The eastern shores of the loch, designated a National Nature Reserve, are reached via Dornoch and Golspie. There's a parking area for about eight vehicles from which we could view the, at least a hundred and fifty, Harbour Seals hauled out on the sandbanks at low tide. They looked like giant slugs.

 

There were plenty of Eiders. a few Oystercatchers, and again, no other waders. We've seen Godwits, Redshank and Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Curlew and Whimbrel here in the past. Maybe we are too late this year.

The highlight was an Osprey, diving for food, being successful, and returning to a sandbank to eat it. Pam was outside the car so saw the entire performance, I scoped it eating its meal. It's a lovely place, we both enjoyed it.

On the north side of the bridge over the Fleet, there is another parking spot named The Mound, where some small tidal pools are attractive for wildfowl and waders. 

 

 Limited viewing - those growing shrubs again - of dozens of Mallard, Shelduck, a Grey Heron and a Red-breasted Merganser, 

 

We heard a Greenshank but didn't see it.

Time to drive home, we passed Inverness, but not Alturlie. where an in between tide showed a few waders. Two Dunlin and a dozen Ringed Plovers. The same group as yesterday? It was worth the visit for the Tree Sparrow Pam found on a roadside fence, our usual Norfolk site has let us down this year.

Five moths this morning, all a mystery, awaiting better light tomorrow morning.