The drive to Oban is just short of 3hrs but a life bird a
Black Guillemot waited for me in the harbour therefore it was worth the trip. Oban
is situated in the Firth of Lorn and has a ferry terminal where you can take a
trip to other islands off the Scottish coast.
The day began overcast and low cloud made driving interesting
in parts. The only interesting bird on this journey was a pair of Hooded Crow
who were extremely difficult to watch having placed themselves in the scrub
along the single track pass and just as I negotiated pulling in another vehicle
turned up. I thought I was the only nutter on the road at stupid o clock!
The journey took me through Fort William which sits and the
point where two Locks meet. Most of the Lochs I have visited do not support
much bird life as they are so deep.
Having arrived in Oban I headed for the beach car park but
did not make it as the target bird was lined up along the harbour wall. I had
heard this was an easy bird to see and very approachable photo wise. All the
birds I saw were adults and I therefore could not add a plumage tick to the
total.
The remainder of the day was spent searching pine forests
for the Scottish Crossbill (and maybe a Parrott Crossbill) the last of the
species on my wish list. I stopped at the Chia – aig Waterfalls which had a
logging site at the back of it. I saw a pair of Dipper who flew the falls with such ease. I then moved further along Loch Arkaig in search
of what I thought would be one of the easier birds to find.
The day ended with a walk through Grafton on Spey forest but
there was not a Crossbill to be found. The search will continue tomorrow!
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