White-tailed Eagle but no Ptarmigan

The 22nd June dawned and a considerable amount of rain had fallen overnight and was ongoing.  The long spell of dry weather was over just as I had reached a spot where a mountain hike was on the cards.

But I was there at Beinn Eighe and thought I may as well put in an effort anyway.  So on went the waterproof trousers, hiking boots and mac, and off I strode, up above the tree line and into the clouds.  Of course, I didn't manage to stumble over any Ptarmigan, even though I'm sure I was the only fool up there.  In fact, the only species I saw/ heard was Meadow Pipit, and so after 100 minutes, I gave up and returned to the car park.

Having failed to see any Sea Eagles on my 6 or so previous visits to Scotland since the 1990s (mostly before they had recovered to good numbers), and having missed one at Dungeness by 45 minutes, voided  at Pulborough and Dorset, I was going to make an effort this time.  

So when I was told about the nesting pair at Shieldaig Island, I decided to put in a shift.  It took a few hours on the 22nd June, before one flew out North from the island.  Finally!  I'd met Andy Clifton at Beinn earlier that morning before my foolhardy hike, and he was also there to help spot, the White-tailed Eagle, which he did as it left the island and again an hour later when it returned.  It had been too long coming, the reintroduced birds fly all over the South but I'd only ever seen them in Europe before.

I slept at Shieldaig and went out at 8am in the morning to attempt a better photograph.  The bird showed itself a lot better, coming and going, floating above the island fighting with gulls, and the photo is ever so slightly better but still poor.


Around ten I set off for the Applecross Pass on a second attempt for Ptarmigan.  This could be the last time.  It wasn't raining as much but visibility was intermittent and the area that required scanning vast. With strong winds it wasn't so much fun and I only lasted an hour this time.  At least I heard a European Golden Plover, but the only other species were a Meadow Pipit and Kestrel.  Game over.  No more Ptarmigan adventures.  The weather wasn't due to improve for weeks, and the winds were picking up for gale forces in the NW so the planned trip to Sutherland is now postponed indefinitely. 

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