Heavy rain overnight but got to the reserve early to find the tide practically at its lowest ebb. Only a lesser black-backed gull, a few oystercatchers and mallard around so settled down to watch the tide rise.
High tide 12.15pm - Bird list:-
redshank c.250, curlew c.50, dunlin c.250, snipe 1, bar-tailed godwit c.200, greenshank 1, knot c.100, black-tailed godwit 1,
wigeon c.200, teal c.100
plus gulls, etc.
Met a Villa fan, Bob Wilson, who, although originally from Tamworth, Staffs, is now living up here. [How we Villa fans are suffering at the moment. Seems like Martin left just in time] Now that name brings back a certain goalkeeper into mind. Now I know that to Gunners fans he's probably a hero but to any Villans who were at Highbury way back in the 70's Bob Wilson the goallie is known as a cheat who managed to pretend that the Villa centre forward of the day, Sammy Morgan, had kicked him. As this was at the clock end where all the Villa fans were on that FA Cup match day, we all saw that Sammy had jumped over Bob. Remember Clive Thomas, the referee? Well it was he who sent our Sammy off and Arsenal immeadiately went up the other end and equalised. The match finished 1 - 1 and the replay at Villa Park saw both miscreants in this sage; namely Bob Wilson and Clive Thomas, receieve the reception their actions deserved. Oh yes, Villa won 2 - 0. Happy days.
Sorry I digress.
Can anyone tell me what the ruins are away to the north west from the north facing Udale bay hide? They look like a distant Greek temple.
Right, no ferry at Cromarty so a long cycle around to get to Nigg Bay. Stopped on the north side of the A9 bridge and saw a couple of ringed plover here and 8 common seals. Great spot to see them close here with an information board at a layby. Shame some children thought that it was a good idea to throw stones at them much to the amusement of their Mum and Dad. I couldn't help but ask them to stop and their Dad wasn't too happy with my request!
Got to Nigg Bay RSPB reserve and once again the tide was by now very far out. Superb hide here with great information boards and fabulous views. Not many birds; a couple of sitting buzzards, a grey heron yet hundreds of common and herring gulls along a waterway out over the sands. So yet another RSPB reserve visited and another fascinating Biking Birder day.
Thanks to Margaret for the donation on Just Giving. Lovely meeting you on the Mull of Galloway too.
I went through some of your post and i would like to add that they are wonderfully written and executed! Bawbags
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