Sticky Iccy

Recent news of a singing Icterine warbler in Aberdeenshire warranted a drive over the Cairngorms to Crathie, near Ballater. It is not often that the chance to see one of these birds on the mainland in spring presents itself, so it was an opportunity not to be missed. Having left the cold and dreary NW highlands it was good to see sunshine, blue skies and a temperature of 23 degrees celsius in Aberdeenshire. Upon parking the car in the lay-by, the bird could be heard singing somewhere nearby although out of sight. The mixed warbling, interspersed with scratchy notes and almost song thrush-like chirps was delightful in the mid afternoon sun. Swifts flew overhead, willow warblers and chaffinches were singing and the noisy Icterine warbler continued to pulse out its lovely song. After a few minutes of scanning the silver birch and scrub I located the bird quite high up in the canopy, the blustery conditions making it difficult to pick out in the kaleidoscope of green leaves and flickering shadow and shade. After watching the bird through my scope for some time, it stopped singing abruptly and flew over my head to the other side of the road. It was notable how much the flight action and long-winged appearance suggested a spotted flycatcher. Having walked over the road to try and relocate the bird, it immediately flew back again although this time much closer to the road allowing for better shots to be obtained. 

I enjoyed the bird for almost 50 minutes before setting off on my 125 mile return drive. After 15 miles or so of driving I chanced upon a a guy standing at the side of the road. He had a large rucksack and what I took to be a seabag. I'm often cautious about giving lifts but I know that public transport and the vast distances in the Highlands can be tricky to negotiate. The guy in question didn't look threatening in any way and actually looked very smart in a traditional kilt so on impulse I pulled over and as as he was heading for Inverness I was glad to assist. He turned out to be excellent company for my drive back through the mountains- an interesting background of exploration, sailing, photography and travel writing. It was great to chance upon someone else that had travelled widely to countries like Greenland, Alaska and Chile- some of my own personal favourites, so I was keen to check out his website on my return home- Alastair-Scott.com - worth checking out if you like the thought of taking a dog team across frozen Arctic wasteland, coupled with an array of other impressive travel adventures! Brilliant stuff! A lovely twitch with good weather, good company and a cracking bird to add to my 'Scottish' life list! 

Vis mig update

Things have been quiet over the last week with persistent NW Beaufort f4/5 winds. This morning it was all change with a light (f2) easterly, occasionally veering to the south-east. In two hours I had 3 swallows, 2 sand martins, a redstart sp. and a phyllosc. sp. fly past the ship. On the deck were 3 pied wagtails including a splendid 'Moroccan wagtail- subpersonata' (note the damaged feet/missing toes). Flitting about the deck were also at least 4 subalpine warblers. Everything on the deck resumed northward flight after briefly feeding on the numerous flies and moths that had been buzzing about. Later I saw a couple of lark sp. and 4 swifts did a very fast pass!

pied wagtail- ssp. subpersonata

subalpine warbler

Battling bee-eater

Pretty grim conditions yesterday (14/04) with gale force 8/9 (40 knot) winds coming out of the west and rough seas, light intermittent rain and the occasional flash of forked lightning. Not the best conditions for a migratory sea crossing! Whilst on watch I noticed the shape of an interesting looking bird making sweeping turns across the wind and waves and realised that a bee-eater was struggling towards the ship. It was flying strongly, but erratically, as it approached the ship and looked very small and insignificant against the backdrop of the rough seas and 3 metre waves. I could barely hold and focus my camera in the buffeting wind but did get a few 'record' shots.......

bee-eater struggling over the waves in a force 8/9 blow!

The bird flew over the heli-deck and made a couple of high speed circuits of the vessel, trying to find a suitable place to settle but was blown back out over the sea on each attempt.

checking out our satellite dish...

The bird dropped out of sight in the lee of the vessel but despite my attempts to relocate it on the lower decks, it was not seen again. A real treat to see this bird, although rather too briefly and in less than ideal conditions, but a great way to bring up the forty species mark for the voyage!

and dropping over the side......

A few hours later and the wind had dropped to a force 4. More birds were seen heading around and onto the ship including a turtle dove, 2 swallows and an orphean warbler. This bird looked very tired and bedraggled and almost presented itself in the open- but not quite! I was still delighted to finally get a half decent photograph of this handsome warbler.

western orphean warbler with severe wear of the tail feathers

The rest of the day turned up another single turtle dove, and interestingly a mixed flock of 5 house martins and 3 swifts - the first sighting of this species during this voyage. Unfortunately the swifts and house martins were all flying down-wind and heading due east! Sea watching produced 5 cory's shearwaters and a small shearwater sp. (probably balearic).