It seems like much longer (partly because of the quality local birding since), but it's only been a little over a week since we arrived home from another great annual late autumn adventure in the Highlands, and as usual, it was an absolute joy.
Golden Eagles were exceptionally accommodating - five on our first visit (including four together!)
I've been fortunate to be asked to do a guiding / speaking week at the very wonderful Grant Arms Hotel each November for several years now, over the now happily traditional Seaduck Week (same again in '23 if you want to join us...), and it's always just a huge pleasure to be part of the Grant Arms/BWWC community, with ever-more familar faces and ever-growing friendships blossoming along the way.
.... and White-tailed Eagles were equally showy, often at close quarters
It was a pretty manic preceding few weeks and I'd only back from guiding at Spurn the night before, and so as usual, we broke up the journey just the other side of the border at Eyemouth, a Borders seaside town that we've a long-standing affection for; then, seven days in the heart of the Highlands with Grantown-on-Spey as our familiar base.
We enjoyed many of the places and birding experiences we've come to love over recent years, including Crested Tits and Red Squirrels, seaducks, diver, grebes and more up on the coast and our favourite nearby Black Grouse lek (see following post), and of course, the mighty Strathdearn / Findhorn Valley - where we were truly spoiled for eagles.
Part of a huge southwest-bound migration of Fieldfares (2650+!) and Redwings down the Findhorn Valley on day one
Quick morning walk along the coast here at #Eyemouth - single Twite and 11 Whooper Swans south, lots of Eiders and Red-throated Divers - before driving to the Highlands now. pic.twitter.com/5miaL2Uw4y
— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) November 6, 2022
On our first trip down there, we walked all the way to the house (for the first time) and were treated with wonderful views of at least five Golden Eagles (including four together!) as well as three White-tailed Eagles, all in complete solitude. It's a magical place that spoils us every time.
Red Squirrel, Dipper, and a pair of happy campers
(Part two to follow shortly)
