I spent several days in Caithness, Scotland, enjoying some excellent winter birding and encountering a wide variety of species along the way. Travelling north, I made a brief stop at Newshot Island in the Clyde, where I was delighted to find an American Wigeon—a much-wanted addition to my Scottish life list and an encouraging start to the trip.
American Wigeon
During my stay in Thurso, the harbour and adjacent beach proved particularly productive. Among the highlights were Long-tailed Duck, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, and Wigeon, with additional noteworthy sightings including Black Guillemot, Eider, and Red-throated Diver.
Thurso Harbour and Beach
Long Tailed Duck
Sanderling
Ringed Plover
Wigeon
A visit to Broubster Leans RSPB, a new site for me, was especially rewarding. The reserve held good numbers of wintering Whooper Swans and Greenland White-fronted Geese, offering excellent views and reinforcing the site’s importance for wintering wildfowl in Caithness.
Broubster Leans RSPB
Greenland White Fronted Goose
Whooper Swan
The return journey south produced further highlights. At Helmsdale (Highland), I was pleased to find a Kumlien’s Gull, while a stop at Loch Fleet yielded another Scottish lifer in the form of a Green-winged Teal. Finally, at Dornoch Beach, two Surf Scoters were located among an impressive flock of approximately 600 Common Scoters, alongside Slavonian Grebe and Red-throated Diver.
Kumlien's Gull at Helmsdale-Highland
Loch Fleet-Highland
Green-winged Teal
Dornoch beach-Highland
Surf Scoter
Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable few days away, combining familiar favourites with several memorable highlights and welcome additions to the Scottish life list.
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